It followed me home (Part 2)

Agent_H said:
Nationals, Connecticut, a nice looking anvil, and a set of hammers.

Any special stories on those? I mean other than being awesome.
Click to expand...

A buddy picked up the hammer head as a set at a local flea last weekend, I made a trade for them. They are French coppersmith heads for the most part. I'm going to handle them and probably sell them as a set. The anvil is a 50lb Vulcan.
 
quinton said:
I found a hens tooth! I've not seen very many old faithful cruisers. . .
Click to expand...
Wonder if they actually sold many of those. Looks like a good collector item.

Here is something to go with:

30674462962_7d60a7b471_c.jpg

Warren catalog 1937


Bob
 
Agent_H said:
Coooool. That is something to keep around for sure. That TT hewing hatchet is attractive and looks sharp as well Quinton.
Click to expand...

The TT hewing hatchet was a newly listed "buy it now", listed for $9.99. It is practically new, not even a ding, and some paint. My uncle bought a new one in the late 70's for $38.

Thanks, Bob, for the info. I love the Old Faithful line.
 
I can't read the head but that hatchet with the green and cream handle looks like the paint job on my Ward's master quality. Another good pile there.
 
This fallowed me home this weekend, a 150 lbs Kohlswa anvil made in sweden, the beak was a bit funky so i ground it down slightly, but it still have a wavy shape, that doesnt bother me too much as long as its smooth, ill include a before picture ;) the table is pretty decent i think!

r89f01.jpg



5wb4tv.jpg


Before
15mgxnb.jpg
 
You did right to clean up the horn. I'd work on that top a little, too. The roughness of the top will transfer to your work. An auto body sander can make the work go faster. 24 or 36 grit disc on a 7-1/2" angle grinder will smooth it up. The maybe spend some time with a large file to flatten it.

It's a fine anvil with very little wear on the edges. Looks to have a 1/2 hardened steel plate. It's just what you want to see and a great weight for the home blacksmith.
 
I dont know about the top, the rough spot is on a small section only and i could use it to add texture to my future work ;) theres plenty of space that is not rough so im in no hurry to sand it down, even the "softer" horn was a pain to grind, this stuff is super tough!
 
Did somebody store it with the horn half buried in the ground for a few years? It seems an odd location to corrode like that.
 
Remzy said:
This fallowed me home this weekend, a 150 lbs Kohlswa anvil made in sweden, the beak was a bit funky so i ground it down slightly, but it still have a wavy shape, that doesnt bother me too much as long as its smooth, ill include a before picture ;) the table is pretty decent i think!
Click to expand...

That is excellent. While no museum piece, that is perfectly good for hobbyists and part time tinkerers like us. I'm betting that you got a good deal on it. Based on the horn wear and the general good shape of the face, I'd bet a good amount that it was used by a farrier.

BTW, Kohlswa anvils are solid cast steel, no face welded on. These are all one solid piece. Imported from about 1925 to about 1960, later ones tended to have slightly softer faces. I don't know when yours was made, but even if a later one, you are not making a living on it. Nice find.
 
Remzy said:
I dont know about the top, the rough spot is on a small section only and i could use it to add texture to my future work ;) theres plenty of space that is not rough so im in no hurry to sand it down, even the "softer" horn was a pain to grind, this stuff is super tough!
Click to expand...

I think I was focusing on that second image too much. In the first image it's clear that most of the face is in very good condition.
 
Today I acquired this ;) 5lb plumb rafting / construction axe
Its a bit of a grail head for me and will be my next hang. Seems to be in very good condition. Pretty sure it hant been used as an axe very much. Maintains lots of what I believe is the original black paint almost right up to the edge...though I think I will remove all the paint.
Hope to get to it next week.
IMG_1353_zpsja9pnrkn.jpg

IMG_1351_zpsuwn8g4xh.jpg
 
nzedge said:
Today I acquired this ;) 5lb plumb rafting / construction axe
Its a bit of a grail head for me and will be my next hang. Seems to be in very good condition. Pretty sure it hant been used as an axe very much. Maintains lots of what I believe is the original black paint almost right up to the edge...though I think I will remove all the paint.
Hope to get to it next week.
IMG_1353_zpsja9pnrkn.jpg
Click to expand...

Your hunch would appear to be correct. No stamps at all? Next best thing to confirm the identity then is to try running a file over the poll to see if it bites. If it skates this will prove it to be a rafter/miner/constructor and then you'll have no more need ever to seek out other axes. Unless of course you're got the collecting bug and aren't particularly interested in the ultimate 'users'.

Sorry, I just looked back at your initial post and you mentioned it to be a 5 lb Plumb. You're right in that you've found the holy grail. This sort of event may well happen to me too, one day! Presumably that's why we all keep on searching.
 
Last edited:
300Six said:
Your hunch would appear to be correct. No stamps at all? Next best thing to confirm the identity then is to try running a file over the poll to see if it bites. If it skates this will prove it to be a rafter/miner/constructor and then you'll have no more need ever to seek out other axes. Unless of course you're got the collecting bug and aren't particularly interested in the ultimate 'users'.

Sorry, I just looked back at your initial post and you mentioned it to be a 5 lb Plumb. You're right in that you've found the holy grail. This sort of event may well happen to me too, one day! Presumably that's why we all keep on searching.
Click to expand...

hahah yea its not very easy to see in my first pics, but yea, without a doubt its a plumb :)
IMG_1354_zps3r7gccob.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top