Church Windows Anvils

[trueforger]

I am and have been a student of the Anvil for several decades now. I work upon and also collect a bewildering variety and have some that contain a modern mystery. This is the Church Windows.

So common 'back in the day' that surviving examples from many European countries and several centuries abound, yet the actual item has not yet by self been discovered to have been written down, ie. does it have a function? What could it be for? None but guesses so far. Most say, due to name,"church windows" it must be some sort of religious decoration, preclusive of function.

I have a theory that goes against the grain of this notion, based from the current authors of the two main Anvil books and which also has been met with some slight hostility online in my Blacksmith forum, so at least I know it may be my own original thought.

So any interest and guesses? I'll tell in a while what I think...

 

[Cypherian]

As a on again off again student of anvils and metal working in general , as was explained to me in the 80's while in school by the metal shop instructor who was about late 60's age the "Church Window's" did not have anything to do with churches it is just the shape associated with the indentations on some anvils. The indentations he explained could be used for forming / shaping metal / prevent sliding of the rear of the piece while hand working the opposite end etc. He also stated and I have n oted there are many other shapes in / on the sides of many types of anvils. That said I have read Postman's books along with several others on anvils and there just as you will hear you get several diverse and plausible reasons for their existence. I do not know as if the arguement will ever be settled unless they find some manuscript or book / notations somewhere.

Cypher

 

[bczygan]

What are they?

Do you have photos?

 

[neophyte]

What are they?

Do you have photos?

http://www.google.com/search?q=chur...h&sa=X&ei=Y05iVY_cMIjnsATe04G4CA&ved=0CAUQ_AU

 

[neophyte]

The sides of church window anvils might have, and probably were, used for forming metal by some blacksmiths, but the different forms of the design on older anvils really look to me like they were designed for "fixing" the anvils in place.

The anvils with the rounded "windows" could be designed for large round pegs made from tree branches to be pounded in place on both sides to prevent the anvil from moving. This would be especially useful if the anvil was placed on a tamped earth floor.

Some later church window anvils have squarish windows that would have been well designed for fixing in place with a wrought iron spike, of the kind that might be used for large timber architectural work.

 

[trueforger]

Yes the theory of Anvil side used as swedge. I have one that is used in the first u-tube that comes up when I search Church Windows Anvil, done and then owned by Josh G. a fine Smith, but unfortunately wrong on this. First, there are Anvil/swage combo's around and they all have graduated sizes, whereas the CW Anvils are always the same size. I am utterly convinced this is not the reason.
A hint: There is Manuscript evidence clearly showing this function, and not just any manuscript, this is perhaps the most common reproduced illustration of a Shop from the Middle Ages.

 

[trueforger]

I forgot to mention, the Anvil I got from Josh has a flat-ish back, looking sorta like it wants to be lain over, but not well in practice, wobbly with uneven projection feet. I now have a dozen of these and have scrutinized the surfaces for signs of work on these areas, none to be seen. Looked at many others as well. And marks are often present that add to back up my theory.

 

[Zeke]

I'm far from an expert on this but I think the depressions are a function of forging the anvil so that the legs can be spread more. Otherwise, where is the material going to come from? And some of the ones pictured look like it's simply design.

So, trueforger I think I agree with you if I understand your conclusion.