Hay- Budden Anvil

[Nitpicker]

I posted this on several sites but the holiday limited responses.

While the tool hounds made a beeline to the garage, I found this as a coffee table base in the TV room. My newly acquired Hay-Budden, Brooklyn, NY, serial number very difficult, 199098 or perhaps 199038 or close. 03 stamped on the side.
Not overly big, 122 lbs, with 1" hardy hole, on a fitted base, no less, w casters. Anyway, I'm told the book "Anvils in America" may be able to tell me more as to a model and date. If anyone has a copy or a source for other information I'd appreciate a look up.

 

[donmillerx]

Wow. Nice score.

 

[bluebolt]

Wow nice!

 

[w1im]

I just came home with a Hay Budden myself. 100lbs, a bit over 22" and hardly looks used. I was a bit concerned with the rough looking welds above the base, but I guess that is how these were made. Got it for $1.80/lb.

I was hoping someone could look up the serial number and let me know when it was made. Serial number is 214259.

Thanks

 

[bigcaddy]

I posted this on several sites but the holiday limited responses.

While the tool hounds made a beeline to the garage, I found this as a coffee table base in the TV room. My newly acquired Hay-Budden, Brooklyn, NY, serial number very difficult, 199098 or perhaps 199038 or close. 03 stamped on the side.
Not overly big, 122 lbs, with 1" hardy hole, on a fitted base, no less, w casters. Anyway, I'm told the book "Anvils in America" may be able to tell me more as to a model and date. If anyone has a copy or a source for other information I'd appreciate a look up.

The book you mention might be a bit expensive if you just plan on looking a single anvil. If you plan on collecting or have a serious interest in them, then it might be a good investment.

If you have a large ball bearing handy, you can check the anvils rebound. Drop the bearing from a set height on the flat surface of the anvil and measure the "rebound". If the ball almost comes back to your outstretched hand, it's over 90% the less it returns, the more use its had and tempering its lost over the years. Yours should be just fine

 

[w1im]

If you have a large ball bearing handy, you can check the anvils rebound. Drop the bearing from a set height on the flat surface of the anvil and measure the "rebound". If the ball almost comes back to your outstretched hand, it's over 90% the less it returns, the more use its had and tempering its lost over the years. Yours should be just fine

This can be used to compare different metal compositions in anvils too. Some out there are cast steel, which is not generally considered as good as forged steel, and there are even cast iron anvils, which most agree should be avoided.

 

[t4runner]

Nice score.

 

[w1im]

Nice score.

Thanks, if you were talking to me.

I got real lucky with this one. I was at an estate sale and happened to mention to the guy running it that I was looking for an anvil. He said he knew someone who had one for sale, just across town. So I headed over, not knowing anything except that it was 100lbs and "looked old". Made the deal and that was that.