Help ID'ing an anvil...

Rick Baum

Rick Baum

Joined
Mar 14, 2000
Messages
509
OK, so I'm buying some hay from a guy who turns out to be a retiring farrier. We're shooting the crap and he says something about the rediculous price of hay and something about it's price per lb. So I say "I'd sure like to find a good old anvil for that price per lb." The next thing I know he's walking to his shop and offers me a deal on his 141 lb. Swedish anvil for 100.00. I check the rebound and overall condition and the next thing I know, my wallet is lighter and the truck bed is 141 lbs. heavier.

I'm pretty happy with the anvil... It's a whole lot better than the section of RR track I've been using to say the least.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about old.swedish anvils.

The only markings that I can make out are: S (indiscernable letter) S space Co. This is inside a rectangle thats had the corners forty-fived. Then to the right of that and slightly lower it says "Made in Sweden" and lastly, in very large,by comparison to the other marks, 141 LBS.

The shape of it is almost identical to a Peter Wright. It even has the step on the feet.

If anyone knows what it might be I'd be curios to know.

Rick
 
I think you may have a "Soderfors" Paragon anvil. But go over to anvilfire.com and ask ken scharabo what he thinks in the guru's den.
 
Thanks for the suggestion! I' d' never been to that website before. Boy have I been missing out. That's a great site.

The consensus over there is the same... Soderfors. They said that they had never heard of a kolslaw :) with the steps on the feet before.

I found some chalk tonight anmd rubbed it into what I thought was the mfg's mark but now I think that mark is for the business that sold/distributed the anvil. The mark cleared up quite a bit. It definitely says "S.I.S. Co"on the first line and then there is a second line under that which begins with the letters "SUP***". Most likely "SUPPLY".

Anyway, thanks again for the tip!

Rick
 
No problem brother, that is one of my two favorite sites on the net! I've learned a lot there. Glad to be of any help.
 
Hey bikermike... Thanks for the offer but I' d' need at least 105.00 to cover the anvil and gas. ;)

Vorpalknives, i see you are in Kaneohe. Remind me which Island that is on. I haven't been over there in a while. I sure can't wait to get back. My folks have had a condo on Kaui for several years now. It's about time I go spend some time there!

Rick
 
Richard Postman, author of Anvils in America, says "Sisco is an acronym for Swedish Iron and Steel Corporation".

The mark stamped on your anvil is SISCO and the SUP under it is the first part of the word SUPERIOR. There should be a square handling hole under the heel and they do have the flat on the top of the feet. It's made of cast steel and IMO, the best anvils were made in Sweden. When Postman wrote his book, he had only found 5 of them. I know of one more. You got a heck of a deal!
 
Wow! That's some very interesting information. Thank you for posting Keith!

Now I'm in a bit of a quandry... If they are that rare should I use it? Answer... Of course I should. They didn't make it to adorn someone's shop. They made it to be of service to someone that likes to abuse hot metal, right? :) I'll just make sure to treat it with respect.

Thanks again for posting.

Rick
 
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