Got me an anvil

[jaker10]

I picked this up today, I hope I did OK. $150.00 I've tried to look up about anvils and there marking and I can't find much. The old boy had 4 and I picked this one because of the logo and it was in the best shape. He had one that he said was 250lbs. that was in very bad shape and it had a hole in one end and he said it was a mouse hole brand ? One unmarked and one marked Swedinson (?) cast iron made in Sweden. If it is any good I may go back and buy it also. Here are pictures of the one I bought. Can anyone tell me the brand with the arm and hammer? And with the 15 marking is it 150 lbs. Also any idea when this would have been made. Thanks much.

 

[RatchetMan]

I think that the brand on that one is Vulcan and anvil snobs would consider that one a so-so quality brand. If the Swedish anvil is in good shape you might jump on that one as Swedish anvils are often prized by collectors.

 

[Zrexxer]

Some Swedish anvils might be prized by collectors, but cast iron anvils of any manufacture, not so much.

 

[jaker10]

Damn I got the wrong one. Any Idea what it's worth? Think I can sell it and get what I paid for it?

 

[RatchetMan]

If all you did was buy it so you could beat on it then it will serve its purpose. No reason to worry about selling it.

 

[jaker10]

If all you did was buy it so you could beat on it then it will serve its purpose. No reason to worry about selling it.

Your right. And it will get beat on, but I was hoping to get one of those anvils that only come along once. He had one that really had a nice tone (and was told to buy it) but it was unmarked and like a dumb *** I went for the logo. The one made in Sweden is marked cast steel so I went with this one.

 

[Zrexxer]

The one made in Sweden is marked cast steel so I went with this one.

No, no no, see, in your first post you said the Swedish anvil was cast iron. If it's actually cast steel, then yeah that's one of the ones to get. There is a significant difference in a cast steel and a cast iron anvil.

 

[jaker10]

No, no no, see, in your first post you said the Swedish anvil was cast iron. If it's actually cast steel, then yeah that's one of the ones to get. There is a significant difference in a cast steel and a cast iron anvil.

YOU are so Right. Now I'm wondering my self. The one made in Sweden did have A thud and not a ring when striking tho. I think (will look again) it said cast steel. It is also already mounted on a stump of wood. Would that take away from the ring. I'll give the old boy a call Wednesday and go take another look.

 

[Zrexxer]

Hell, just eliminate the guesswork and buy them all

 

[woody 73]

Funny I always wanted an anvil, but my hearing is getting worse and I just can not take any more pounding sounds. (kids listen up no drugs no booze and protect your ears).

Maybe this might give you a better insight into buying anvils for future hunting:

http://www.beautifuliron.com/gs_anvils.htm

 

[wild cowboy]

drop a 1" steel ball bearing on them from 10" or so high, note the percent of that height that the bearing bounces back up, this will tell you a lot about what it is worth, along with the weight and condition. 80% or higher bounce back = big bucks

below 50% and it's more of a door stop

you can get some big USA-made ball bearings here:
www.ebay.com/itm/290839303554

also, keep in mind that value rises exponentially with weight, so a 275lb anvil may be worth 4 or more times what a 150 lb one is

 

[RogueFab]

Sounds like an ok or good price in my neck of the woods. Anvils around 150 lbs seem to get listed for 200+. I don't want to pay that though... not going to use it enough.

 

[wild cowboy]

let us know the results of the bearing bounce test!

 

[bluebolt]

Yeah that's a Vulcan #15. See here for more info http://www.anvilfire.com/anvils/donated_007.php

Vulcan anvils pretty much go by the model number for weight, a 12 is 120 pounds, your 15 should be 150 give or take a little.

The only "sold" #15 Vulcan I found on Ebay recently was about $275 plus.

I think you got a good deal.

Now go back and buy more anvils!

 

[organ]

If an anvil has raised emblem/lettering/numbering... it's obviously cast. Wrought anvils will have inset emblem/lettering/numbering.

 

[Black Frog]

I picked this up today, I hope I did OK. $150.00 I've tried to look up about anvils and there marking and I can't find much. The old boy had 4 and I picked this one because of the logo and it was in the best shape. He had one that he said was 250lbs. that was in very bad shape and it had a hole in one end and he said it was a mouse hole brand ? One unmarked and one marked Swedinson (?) cast iron made in Sweden. If it is any good I may go back and buy it also. Here are pictures of the one I bought. Can anyone tell me the brand with the arm and hammer? And with the 15 marking is it 150 lbs. Also any idea when this would have been made. Thanks much.

I use/buy/sell a lot of anvils. Mouse Hole was the brand of M.H. Armitage. They are a well-known, but older looking forged anvil. Many refer to them as the Old English style, usually with pointed tops to the feet.

There are several Swedish makes of anvils, usually all cast steel of very good quality. Soderfors, Paragon, Sisco, Kohlswa are some common names you'll see for Swedish anvils.

The one you pictured with the arm and hammer logo is a Vulcan made by the Illinois Iron & Bolt Co. Older ones don't have the logo on the side, but you'll see a raised "I I & B Co" under the horn. They are cast iron body with a steel face plate, but the steel plate is rather thin which is why it isn't considered a top quality anvil. Fisher anvils are also cast iron but have a much thicker steel face plate.

Many people confuse cast Vulcan anvils with the arm and hammer logo with the actual Arm & Hammer brand anvil made by Columbus Anvil & Forging Co which are top notch anvils. Forged wrought body and steel face. When you see the stamped Arm & Hammer logo on the side, that is an actual A&H anvil (not a Vulcan). If it is a raised cast logo, it is a Vulcan.

Here's a couple A&H anvils stamped logos so you can see the difference vs the raised Vulcan logo in the original post.

 

[Farmall450]

Sounds like an ok or good price in my neck of the woods. Anvils around 150 lbs seem to get listed for 200+. I don't want to pay that though... not going to use it enough.

Get a piece of RR track

 

[jaker10]

Well I went and bought another anvil today. Its weight is 150 lbs. (on my deer scale) I can find no markings on this one but a serial number. A5494 Can anyone ID this. Here are pictures. It does have a ring when tapping with a hammer. The other one he had was a 90 lbs. Made in Sweden and was marked Cast Steel.

 

[jaker10]

I found what looks like what is left of a diamond shaped marking. Any idea what brand from that?

 

[jaker10]

If what I found on the internet is right. Trenton by the diamond and 1899 by the date code (A5494) And the hour glass pattern on the bottom. Sound right?? Thanks for any info.

 

[Canoe50]

Well I went and bought another anvil today. Its weight is 150 lbs. (on my deer scale) I can find no markings on this one but a serial number. A5494 Can anyone ID this. Here are pictures. It does have a ring when tapping with a hammer. The other one he had was a 90 lbs. Made in Sweden and was marked Cast Steel.

Go back & grab that cast steel one if it's in good shape....high quality.

 

[1982fxr]

yes trenton. now go get the swedish one too

 

[organ]

Very jealous of the Trenton.