Show me your ANVIL

[bulletpruf]

Fellas -

Any thoughts on this anvil? http://www.subito.it/annunci-vari/incudine-napoli-167582972.htm This is the common shape that you see in Italy - doesn't appeal to me. I've been holding out for something a bit more aesthetically pleasing. Yes, I know that shouldn't matter, but I'm not in a big rush (have a large section of railroad track that I use now) so I'm kind of waiting to stumble across a sweet deal.

Anyway, any clue as to vintage and make on it?

FYI - it's 40 kg (88 lbs) for 200 euro (about $230 U.S., so about $3 per lb). Looks like he also has a 50 kg (110 lbs) and a 70 kg (154 lbs), but no price.

Thanks,

Scott

Got prices on the others - the 50 kg/110 lbs is $300 and the 70 kg/154 lbs is $400.

The best deal, assuming all are in comparable condition, is the 154 lb anvil, right? As I recall, as these get larger, the price per lb increases.

I asked for manufacturer and date of manufacture, but he doesn't have that. If I do go see them, I can bring a cordless drill with a wire cup brush on it.

Have pics of all. Appear to be in pretty good shape with no pitting.

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

Went to check out the anvils discussed in the last post. He had five of them for sale; all were his father's. He had two 70 kg/154 lbs anvils -- one was newer, so I wasn't really interested. His older one was pretty worn down, but obviously quite old. However, it didn't pass the ring or rebound test - the ball bearing had less than 25% rebound! He only wanted $300 for that one with the original stand, but I wasn't interested.

I ended up buying a 30 or 40 kg anvil for $250. Not cheap, but it included a large hardy hole anvil and the original metal base. Excellent ring and rebound, not rusty or damaged and has some letters cast into the side so I should be able to figure out what it is. Pictures to follow. Excited to be part of the anvil owner's club!

Ciao,

Scott

 

[Craptain]

Went to check out the anvils discussed in the last post. He had five of them for sale; all were his father's. He had two 70 kg/154 lbs anvils -- one was newer, so I wasn't really interested. His older one was pretty worn down, but obviously quite old. However, it didn't pass the ring or rebound test - the ball bearing had less than 25% rebound! He only wanted $300 for that one with the original stand, but I wasn't interested.

I ended up buying a 30 or 40 kg anvil for $250. Not cheap, but it included a large hardy hole anvil and the original metal base. Excellent ring and rebound, not rusty or damaged and has some letters cast into the side so I should be able to figure out what it is. Pictures to follow. Excited to be part of the anvil owner's club!

Ciao,

Scott

Well done. Glad to see you using common sense and practicality rather than emotion in your purchase.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[bulletpruf]

Well done. Glad to see you using common sense and practicality rather than emotion in your purchase.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

I guess there's a first time for everything!

Ok, so here are all five lined up. All the European anvils I've seen seem to have the same basic shape (including the legs), but all of these have slight differences and/or different markings, so I'm guessing they are all different makes. Mine is front and center. I also got the hardy anvil and the yellow base.

You can see the ball peen that I was using for the ring test, as well as the wire brush, chalk, and magnifying glass I was using to look for markings. The large ball bearing is in my pocket at this point, I think, but I certainly used it to my benefit.



And here it is back home, on the base, and with the hardy anvil. At 10 lbs (5 kg), the hardy anvil seems like it's a bit large for this little guy. I thought the anvil was 30 kg, but turns out it's only 25 kg or 55 lbs.



Markings cast into the side - it's a "5" and below that looks like an "P L P" - but the "L" looks more like an upside down "F". If that's the case, it could be a PFP Peddinghaus anvil; 100% forged steel, German made.



Didn't have a soda can handy, but here it is next to a can of Kroil so you can tell the relative size.



Thanks,

Scott

 

[Reversepolarity]

A small Henry Wright

 

[bulletpruf]

I'm in Serbia for work - anvils here are CHEAP!

Here's a 154 pound anvil for about $240. Might be able to talk him down to $1/lb. http://www.kupujemprodajem.com/nakovanj-34756274-oglas.htm?filter_id=76553996

Dang it - here's 265 lbs for about $260! http://www.kupujemprodajem.com/nakovanj-120kg-34453125-oglas.htm?filter_id=76553996

And 220 lbs for about $300...
http://www.kupujemprodajem.com/Kovacki-nakovanj-100kg-34598137-oglas.htm?filter_id=76553996

Will have to see how I can ship one of these home...

 

[zoomieport]

With it being "tornado season" here in the Midwest, I keep these in the living room to make sure the house doesn't blow away...

 

[PWRstroke_smoke]

A small Henry Wright

That's a nice little one, do you use that one for anything particular, or just for collecting

 

[bulletpruf]

With it being "tornado season" here in the Midwest, I keep these in the living room to make sure the house doesn't blow away...

You're killing me! First with the Wilton Baby Bullets and now a room full of anvils???

What make, vintage, and size???

 

[Reversepolarity]

That's a nice little one, do you use that one for anything particular, or just for collecting

Picked it up at a great deal. Bought it to flip it.
Already sold.

My everyday driver is a Hay Budden. I've sold all the others.

 

[zoomieport]

You're killing me! First with the Wilton Baby Bullets and now a room full of anvils???

What make, vintage, and size???

Those are just "newer" to me ones that I left in there because I could lift them, there are several more scattered about the garage and house that I can't move without people or machines.
The biggest one in that group is a Peter Wright at about 145lb and the smallest is a 58lb Hay Budden, then there are 2 more HB's, 1 more PW, a mousehole, a Trenton and a Hill.
I've got a couple dozen more with the biggest one being a 456lb PW, several more PW's, several HB's, 3 Wilkinson's, a few Acme's, a couple more Trentons, 5 swage blocks, 2-40" cone mandrels a couple Pexto plates and most of the anvils and all of the of the swage blocks have original cast iron stands and several other anvils I can't recall right now, I'm not home...

 

[bulletpruf]

Those are just "newer" to me ones that I left in there because I could lift them, there are several more scattered about the garage and house that I can't move without people or machines.
The biggest one in that group is a Peter Wright at about 145lb and the smallest is a 58lb Hay Budden, then there are 2 more HB's, 1 more PW, a mousehole, a Trenton and a Hill.
I've got a couple dozen more with the biggest one being a 456lb PW, several more PW's, several HB's, 3 Wilkinson's, a few Acme's, a couple more Trentons, 5 swage blocks, 2-40" cone mandrels a couple Pexto plates and most of the anvils and all of the of the swage blocks have original cast iron stands and several other anvils I can't recall right now, I'm not home...

D@mn! Color me green with envy - again! How many years have you been collecting anvils?

 

[zoomieport]

D@mn! Color me green with envy - again! How many years have you been collecting anvils?

I've been looking for about 8 years, been "hunting" for about 6...

 

[bulletpruf]

I've been looking for about 8 years, been "hunting" for about 6...

Locally, regionally, or nationwide???

 

[zoomieport]

Locally, Craigslist, auctions, word of mouth, and eBay from time to time, if I find a good deal, etc...

(I should add that "locally" is a pretty "loose term", I'll drive quite a distance for the right deal!)

 

[bulletpruf]

I'm in Serbia for work - anvils here are CHEAP!

Here's a 154 pound anvil for about $240. Might be able to talk him down to $1/lb. http://www.kupujemprodajem.com/nakovanj-34756274-oglas.htm?filter_id=76553996

Dang it - here's 265 lbs for about $260! http://www.kupujemprodajem.com/nakovanj-120kg-34453125-oglas.htm?filter_id=76553996

And 220 lbs for about $300...
http://www.kupujemprodajem.com/Kovacki-nakovanj-100kg-34598137-oglas.htm?filter_id=76553996

Will have to see how I can ship one of these home...

Fellas -

Didn't pick up any inexpensive anvils in Belgrade, Serbia; too busy with work. Am in Prague, Czech Republic now. Prices are very good here, too -

How about 286 lbs for $320? Not quite $1/lb, but maybe you can talk him down! http://www.sbazar.cz/bara.hrncirova/detail/17615655-kovadlina-130kg

Or 220 lbs for $246 - http://www.sbazar.cz/nehasil/detail/17592018-prodam-kovarskou-kovadlinu

Here's a big fella - 330 lbs for $616 - http://www.sbazar.cz/t.derner/detail/17068822-prodam-kovadliny -said to be new.

And a 220 pounder for $287 http://www.sbazar.cz/davidnovacek11/detail/17466625-kovadlina

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! 330 lbs for $286! http://www.sbazar.cz/DilnaRoJan/detail/16952839-prodam-kovadlinu

Guess I need to check on shipping...

Scott

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

A bit inadequate compared to some of the members here, but since I never had an anvil before, I haggled a flea marketer down to $25 with a couple old wrenches I wanted.
sounds like I overpaid too.

 

[Reversepolarity]

A bit inadequate compared to some of the members here, but since I never had an anvil before, I haggled a flea marketer down to $25 with a couple old wrenches I wanted.
sounds like I overpaid too.

Value is a personal thing.
If you like it, and are happy.
Then you got a good deal.

 

[zoomieport]

Value is a personal thing.
If you like it, and are happy.
Then you got a good deal.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Here is a picture of a couple of my Anvils. When I need an anvil I am mostly using the 400# West anvil on the left. I still have not mounted the 500# Soderfors on the right but probably will someday. Thats a 100# anvil sitting on the other two. Big anvils are one of those things it's hard for me to pass by when they come available at reasonable prices. Ed.

 

[PeterT]

[QUOTE=Oregon rock crusher;5839196]Here is a picture of a couple of my Anvils. When I need an anvil I am mostly using the 400# West anvil on the left. I still have not mounted the 500# Soderfors on the right but probably will someday. Thats a 100# anvil sitting on the other two. Big anvils are one of those things it's hard for me to pass by when they come available at reasonable prices. Ed.]

HOw do you move those beasts? What does a 400# anvil cost? $1000?

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

[QUOTE

HOw do you move those beasts? What does a 400# anvil cost? $1000?[/QUOTE]

Hi Peter, I have been able to move every one so far with just a hand truck and a come along. The come along for pulling the loaded hand truck up a ramp into the PU. Once they are in the shop everything to big to lift gets wheels...in the case of the Soderfors an old ****** jack works for now. I got the West for $800 several years ago....I'm ashamed to say what I paid for the Soderfors but it was literally nothing. Some junk piles hold better treasures than others. Hard to understand the misguided motivation of the "lets clean out the shop" mindset but thank God they had not yet called the scrapper. Ed.

 

[Tarnished]

Reversepolarity, Could you please take a closeup picture of the logo stamp on the side, and another of the serial number on the foot?

Beyond what is in A.I.A., I have a Trenton logo stamp database going (as well as A&H), Trenton used several different styles of stamps through their years. I'm putting the serial number ranges with each style of stamp. I can tell you more once I get some good closeups of the stamp, and I'd like to add yours (or any Trentons or A&H's here) to the list!

Black Frog,
Picked up this Trenton at auction this weekend and wanted to post to your Database.
Not the best logo, but perhaps you will be able to date from it. Also the s/n is 133262 as best I can make out. What the numbers on the left foot are unknown to me.
The anvil weighs in at 180 lbs on the ole bathroom scales. Has plenty of edge wear but will work well for me.
A little unusual to see 2 pritchel holes along with the hardy. Any reason for this extra hole? I was told that mine is a farrier's model, but still don't understand the extra hole.
Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Black Frog]

Tarnished- thanks for the pics!! That serial number would be the 1915 according to Anvils In America. That is the fourth style of logo stamp used in U.S. manufacturing, and for some reason I have the hardest time finding a good clean version of that stamp...

The numbers on the left are the weight stamp, sometimes there was an extra letter in front of the weight. Your looks quite "garbled up", not sure what happened there... ?

The extra Pritchel hole near the hardy was common on farrier model anvils, usually having a clip protrusion on the horn. I'm not a farrier, but I was told that extra Pritchel hole made it more flexible for punching the holes in the horse shoes.

Here's the best example I have of the stamp your anvil carries, for you to get a better view:

 

[Tarnished]

1915. OK, older than I thought. Thanks so much for the info BF. Appreciate the logo pic. interesting that it is the "4th" logo. anywhere I can find all 5 logo's?

 

[Black Frog]

Trenton had 7 different U.S. manufacturing logo stamps (as of now), and a few more versions for the early forged Trentons from Germany. I haven't put out any info on all the logos yet. Still collecting examples to fill in the database. Slow going....

 

[Tejaas]

Trenton had 7 different U.S. manufacturing logo stamps (as of now), and a few more versions for the early forged Trentons from Germany. I haven't put out any info on all the logos yet. Still collecting examples to fill in the database. Slow going....

I have a 1906 Trenton with an ACME overstrike, if you'd like a photo for your database. I actually enamel filled it, so it photographs easy.


~Tejaas~

 

[Tarnished]

I have a 1906 Trenton with an ACME overstrike, if you'd like a photo for your database. I actually enamel filled it, so it photographs easy.


~Tejaas~

Interesting Tejaas,
Could you elaborate on the Trenton/Acme collaboration? I have an Acme, but that is the only name on it. Was it made by Trenton? Wishing for a AIA book for my birthday...

 

[Reversepolarity]

Interesting Tejaas,

Could you elaborate on the Trenton/Acme collaboration? I have an Acme, but that is the only name on it. Was it made by Trenton? Wishing for a AIA book for my birthday...

Acme was made for Sear. They were contracted out like Craftsman tools.

Hay Budden and Trenton made them.
Location of the weight stamp, and serial number. Will tell you which maker made yours.

 

[Tejaas]

Interesting Tejaas,

Could you elaborate on the Trenton/Acme collaboration? I have an Acme, but that is the only name on it. Was it made by Trenton? Wishing for a AIA book for my birthday...

Absolutely...

Mine is a 100# Trenton that dates to 1906. It is marked accordingly, and bears the Trenton mark - and then was later struck 'ACME' (Sears Roebuck) directly over the Trenton logo...

Both Hay Budden and Trenton fulfilled the ACME anvil offerings for Sears.

If i had to guess as to it bearing BOTH marks,maybe it was pulled from Trenton inventory to quickly fulfill a SR order, or perhaps it was a running spare/excess that got reassigned...?

Either way, i like it - it appears that the dual marked ones are something of an oddity.



Here is its twin, a 100 pound Hay Budden struck 'ACME' from 1907.


(Photo lifted from iforgeiron.com)

I was told to wedge one of these between my ACME anvil and its base... Pretty funny.








~Tejaas~

 

[Craptain]

Absolutely...

Mine is a 100# Trenton that dates to 1906. It is marked accordingly, and bears the Trenton mark - and then was later struck 'ACME' (Sears Roebuck) directly over the Trenton logo...

Both Hay Budden and Trenton fulfilled the ACME anvil offerings for Sears.

If i had to guess as to it bearing BOTH marks,maybe it was pulled from Trenton inventory to quickly fulfill a SR order, or perhaps it was a running spare/excess that got reassigned...?

Either way, i like it - it appears that the dual marked ones are something of an oddity.



Here is its twin, a 100 pound Hay Budden struck 'ACME' from 1907.


(Photo lifted from iforgeiron.com)

I was told to wedge one of these between my ACME anvil and its base... Pretty funny.








~Tejaas~

I would absolutely do it. Maybe with legs sticking out.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks Reverse, Did not know that. Had heard that Acme was made for Sear's but did not know the maker.

TJ: Thanks. I have a twin to your Acme, but only has the Acme strike. It doesn't look like a Hey-Budden, but it could be. Both HB and Trenton kinds of look alike to me. Long sweeping horn and heel, hour glass waist.
It has a T 100 on the front left foot, and A44031 (best I can make out) on right foot. IIRC it is right at 100lbs. Really nice shape considering the mud it was in when they pulled it out. When I bought it the auctioneer was commenting to the crowd that it had probably fallen on Willey at some point! Think it cost me twice as much after that...
Do you have S/N on yours?

 

[Reversepolarity]

Tarnished
That is a Trenton Acme

 

[Black Frog]

Mine is a 100# Trenton that dates to 1906. It is marked accordingly, and bears the Trenton mark - and then was later struck 'ACME' (Sears Roebuck) directly over the Trenton logo...

~Tejaas~

Tejass, do you have a serial number for your Trenton Acme? That Hay Budden picture from Iforgeiron is my anvil....

I've been tracking ACME serial numbers for both Trenton and HB as well. Trenton ACME's are often "overstamped" like yours where the ACME stamp is applied right on top of the Trenton logo.

I've had a theory for a few years now, and is the reason I started tracking serial numbers for Acmes. I have the HB Acme you pictured, and I also found another HB Acme a few years later on a farm only a few miles away from where I found the first one, and it was only 84 number apart in serial number.... I'm guessing that some farmer(s) in that that area mail ordered a few anvils, and they stayed in that general area until I paired them up again.

You never see HB Acmes with the normal Hay-Budden name stamp. But you often see Trenton Acmes with an overstamp mark. My theory is that HB did "batches" of anvils for Sears, and that these batches would have very close serial numbers, and no overstamps since they were all for Sears. That's why the two I found so close to each other were only a few numbers apart, they were part of a batch Hay Budden made for sears.

Meanwhile when Trenton got an order from Sears, they often just grabbed whatever fit the bill coming off the production floor and whacked the Acme stamp right over the Trenton logo.

....at least that is my theory. Trenton made a much higher percentage of Acmes than HB did. Like 3 to 1 from what I've been tracking.

Hopefully all this digging further into anvil history, tracking all the logos styles, etc, will make it into an updated revision of A.I.A. at some point. Not sure if Postman is up for it though at his age now.....

 

[Black Frog]

All three of these Hay Budden Acmes are within 200 serial numbers:

 

[OCD]

Got my first anvil today,

 

[Tarnished]

Hey, it's a start...

What ya gonna pound on it???

 

[OCD]

Hey, it's a start...

What ya gonna pound on it???

Thin stuff!!


Already found a bigger one on the same day!!

I went to meet a guy to trade an old subwoofer I had laying around for a old vise... A 3 1/2 Japanese Fuller in decent shape... Jaws are a little rough but I plan on putting some softer metal ones on it...

Here's the vise,

I also got this, and a couple adjustable wrenches in the deal,

there are no markings on it,

Going to paint them all green!!

 

[Tejaas]

Tejass, do you have a serial number for your Trenton Acme? That Hay Budden picture from Iforgeiron is my anvil....

I've been tracking ACME serial numbers for both Trenton and HB as well. Trenton ACME's are often "overstamped" like yours where the ACME stamp is applied right on top of the Trenton logo.

I've had a theory for a few years now, and is the reason I started tracking serial numbers for Acmes. I have the HB Acme you pictured, and I also found another HB Acme a few years later on a farm only a few miles away from where I found the first one, and it was only 84 number apart in serial number.... I'm guessing that some farmer(s) in that that area mail ordered a few anvils, and they stayed in that general area until I paired them up again.

You never see HB Acmes with the normal Hay-Budden name stamp. But you often see Trenton Acmes with an overstamp mark. My theory is that HB did "batches" of anvils for Sears, and that these batches would have very close serial numbers, and no overstamps since they were all for Sears. That's why the two I found so close to each other were only a few numbers apart, they were part of a batch Hay Budden made for sears.

Meanwhile when Trenton got an order from Sears, they often just grabbed whatever fit the bill coming off the production floor and whacked the Acme stamp right over the Trenton logo.

....at least that is my theory. Trenton made a much higher percentage of Acmes than HB did. Like 3 to 1 from what I've been tracking.

Hopefully all this digging further into anvil history, tracking all the logos styles, etc, will make it into an updated revision of A.I.A. at some point. Not sure if Postman is up for it though at his age now.....

Great info, and i like your theory.

My Trenton/Acme is serial #65808.




~Tejaas~

 

[sandman54]

A small 2 1/2 inch jaw width, German DRP.



The anvil in the foreground is a 625 lb. southern German double horn on a matching base.
The one in the background is an 800 lb. Fisher anvil.



This is the same 800 lb. Fisher in a before (above) and after (below) shot.