Anvils are like tattoos, one is never enough!

Brian Ayres

Brian Ayres

Joined
Feb 4, 2011
Messages
1,429
So. I bought my first anvil 5 months ago. A 119# Kohlswa with a nice clean face and rough edges for $150, then last month I found a 300# Fisher for $360, it had an awesome face but the horn was missing a few inches but had been chiseled to shape long ago by all appearances.

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So I CAN"T STOP looking for deals on CL... I found a little 55# anvil and bought it. I got it for $140.
Not as good a deal as my other two per pound, but it was the first small anvil I've seen that wasn't either a Farriers anvil, or a Chinese ASO...:D
I have a 3"x6"x10" 81# forklift tine cutoff that I got for a bench anvil, so I didn't "need" it, but wanted it for it's uniqueness.
It has two handling holes, a 3/4" hardie hole, a 3/8" pritchel hole and is stamped 52. No other markings.
The rebound is 60-70%.
The edges are rounded a bit, and the face looks like it was chipped in a few areas due to being struck with a chisel? Those areas have been hammered on enough that the have shunts(right word?) closing them over a bit....It's absolutely covered in small chisel marks.
The face is flat, and there is zero sway on the back.
Any ideas on the make? I want to know the history if possible.

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I wish I could help you with the ID but kinda tough when all you got is a "52". Have you done any scrubbing to see if there are any other marks?
 
Brian,

Looking at a larger pic it almost looks like a fisher. The 53 mark does not make sense but it has the same shape and such. Just a swag though anvilfire might get you a more accurate ID.
 
I looked at it closer today. It's forge welded from 4 pieces it appears. I don't see any other marks. It has a nice patina and looks to have been wire wheeled/brushed.

The feet, and waist have obvious forging/weld seams along with the face. The whole anvil is slightly askew. Mostly in the feet as one side is splayed out more than the other... It looks like the feet were hammered to shape with a big hammer... (I picture a Bradley Helve hammer and a blacksmith toiling away)...I looked at Anvilfire and it looks more like a Hay Budden or a Peter Wright..
It rings like a steel anvil, not a thwack like my Fisher.

Maybe made by a Blacksmith?

It's a cool little anvil and I'm liking it more and more. :D:thumbup:

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How do you find these anvils , I'd love to get my hands on just one . There is lots of blacksmithing in Alberta because its ranching , farming and oil. Lots of rodeo and that kinda stuff . On Blacksmith webpages there asking $800 and up for anvils .
 
I use SearchTempest It looks for items on Craig'sList in cities in a certain radius from your home, and includes Ebay as well.

I check it 3-6 times a day for anvils, vises, mills, etc. The anvils here in Oregon easily go for $3.00 a pound. I see several that are 250# range for $800-1,000 that sell...of course those are mostly in great condition. The guy who sold me my 300# Fisher sold it to me for 50% less than he paid for it because it was used..........
I've seen anvils just out of my price range listed and disappear(sell) within hours. So I just check it often. I don't know what you have besides Kijiji there....
 
You can now add "anvil problem" to your "knife problem" when talking to your therapist!!:D
 
Doesn't look anything like any of the 3 HB's I've got, maybe a PW, chunky enough (more center mass).
I've only got 7 anvils (that the Missus knows about), have to keep the others camo'd to avoid that inevitable discussion thing.
 
You guys suck. I have been after an anvil for 3years with none to be found within 1000kms.
 
My wifey was just bringing me a cup of coffee (first time in a good while.....so something's up) and she saw the thread title. Laughed and walked away saying something about trying to swim with anvils on your arms or the back of your neck......nothing like tattoos!
While CL is a hit or miss thing....they go fast if they have any value, some good deals can be had if you are diligent. One of the best sources I have found is by word of mouth. There are anvils sitting around rusting away everywhere, they are just out of sight/out of mind Work "need an anvil" into every conversation you have everywhere you go - Barbershop, hardware store, church, work, quilting class(?), family reunion, etc. Yeah, some get annoyed, so what? Sooner or later someone will say "You know.......my dad, my grandaddy, my neighbor......" and the scent gets warmer so loose the dogs and hunt the beast down. Be diplomatic and show a lot of interest in the individual before you start the press for information, it will be forth coming with patience. Got one of my best hot leads helping an older gentleman with his boat.....you never know.
Farriers and smiths know they have the "King of Tools" getting a real deal from one is rare. The average individual that is not smithing oriented has a different mindset and view. Most have stuck in their minds the old "$1" a pound montra and get excited when you offer 50 cents to a $1 more/#. Just got to be paying attention. Pays to keep some rathole money in your pocket when you're hunting.....cash talks.
 
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