Is this a working small anvil?

[jveretto]

I have a small anvil with a bell cast in the base. The base is hollow. I am afraid good whack might crack with the hollow bell/base. 14" long, 9" wide & 6" tall.
I am trying to upload pics but having a hard time.

 

[jveretto]

The anvil was bought at an estate sale in west Texas years ago. Previous owner said her father unbolted it from a workbench in a working farmer's shop.

 

[drivesitfar]

JV: you are right not to beat on it if it's hollow. i would buy a small chunk of RR track for pounding cold steel on and keep looking for a real anvil. don't throw that away because it looks cool. can you wire wheel or use an electrolysis tank to take the rust off and then when clean spiff it up with some boiled linseed oil? it will look great just sitting on any bench.

do you have pictures from the other sides and my guess it was attached to a light duty vise 100 years ago.

 

[Voi]

do you have pictures from the other sides and my guess it was attached to a light duty vise 100 years ago.

That's what I'm thinking. Here's a couple of links.

https://www.google.com/patents/US42...a=X&ei=LF1OVN_hKcW4iQL_n4HIBg&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA

http://datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=426362&id=21600

And here are some pics of one that I had and traded away. I'm gonna having to see if I can get that thing back. Traded it away two years ago and I still wish I had it just to sit on a shelf.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

JV: I would buy a small chunk of RR track for pounding cold steel on and keep looking for a real anvil.

Where does one buy a piece of railroad rail to use as an anvil?

 

[ironmutt]

if you were closer i would sell you a piece i got several chunks at a farm sale while ago

 

[RivennHewn]

For light duty work, it will be fine.

For any real 'smithing, I'd find another anvil.

probably worth more as a collector item than an anvil.

 

[jveretto]

I will keep and thanks for all the responses! I think it was added onto the side of another larger vise or anvil. I will add another pic.

 

[jveretto]

I do have a short piece of railroad iron made into an anvil. It perfectly formed. Cannot see any grind marks on it. Will post a pic tomorrow. Thanks to all!

 

[drivesitfar]

****: I've bought a couple off of Craigslist. a few when i buy a vise where the owner is moving and selling all his garage stuff and bought several from a blacksmith's collection. i'm going to keep a few and sell some soon locally for $10 to $50 depending on the size and shape.

here's a picture of the ones i bought from the Blacksmith and i'll probably sell all of these. i'll probably keep the one that has the underside of the RR track cut out because i don't own a welding cutting torch yet.

 

[Cyberbear]

I often see pieces of RR track on ebay. These are good for rough hard work on any type of steel, but most anvil experts agree that pounding on a piece of cold steel over a cast iron anvil can and has broken many anvils by those not knowing any better. It's always best to hammer hot steel on an anvil. I've seen several anvils with broken and missing horns due to improper use.

 

[zkling]

I wouldn't. Get a hunk of steel ~5"x5"x18" at your local metal shop. That makes a very good anvil standing on end.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

****: I've bought a couple off of Craigslist.

Very nice collection.