Picked up anvil (help ID)

quint

quint

Joined
Nov 29, 2011
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Hey everyone I happened on this anvil on craigslist. Dont really know too much about anvils and wouldnt be surprised if my impulse buy turns out to not be a great idea but none the less its here in my garage now. Was wondering if anyone has any info on this guy. The side has 200lbs, 1928, and the number 4. There seems to be something above the 200lbs mark but its unreadable.

Thanks for any info.


anvil 3.jpganvil 1.jpganvil 2.jpg
 
Oh wanted to add on the other side from the writing it says SWEDEN and something else thats not identifiable and on the lower foot under the horn it is stamped 1928 and then 3 under that.
 
The two main manufacturers of Swedish anvils were are Kohlswa, and Soderfors. Nice score did you get it for a good price? Did you bounce a ball pein or a ball bearing on it to check for rebound? Sorry to ask so many questions. Looks nice to me.

10450.attach

jdd_kohlswa_640.jpg
 
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It looks like you scored a good one. You need to post more pictures to identify it but it looks like a good quality anvil to me. Clean off some rust and put it to work.

I just read your second post, In my opinion Swedish anvils are as good as you can find. I use one that just says SWEDEN and has the weight on it. I've owned a lot of others but this one is the best.
 
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Thanks for the info guys. I paid $300 for it, not sure if that is a good deal or not but figured I could reclaim atleast some of the money even if it had to go to the metal yard (not gonna happen just sayin).

Burton I notice that all the stuff is stamped on mine like the lower one you posted (just not as clean) and that none of the letters or numbers are raised like the first one you posted. He only had a small hammer little ball peen that I bounced on it and it seemed to recoil really good but buying this anvil is about as far as my forging experience goes.
 
Another quick question, do these generally come without paint on them? I was thinking of when I clean it up take the old paint off of it but if thats how they came I guess I would just clean up the stuff I can see.
 
Nice anvil. A wire brush should take care of cleanup.

If an anvil is real rusty, or paint covered, have it media blasted clean. Then use a flap wheel to clean up the face.

On a badly swayed or dinged up face, a machine shop can mill the face flat ( assuming there is enough face plate).
A good welding shop can repair a badly chipped edge.
Many rough shape anvils can be had for cheap, and repaired to first class shape. Just like Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman", if the anvil is good quality, but has had a rough life, it is amazing what a little touch up work can do for it.
 
Personally I wouldn't do anything but ease the edges of some of the chips on the edges, MAYBE do a little polish to the face, wire brush then oil or wax it.
This anvil looks to be quite flat still, which doesn't surprise me. Most of the Swedish anvils that you see are cast steel and tend not to sway as easily as wrought anvils with a steel faceplate. Paragon was another trade name of anvils from there, anyways, most Swedish anvils I have examined and worked on have been quite good. I wood say that you got a very good deal on that anvil. Use it and enjoy!
 
Thanks Steve, I am thinking it is a Sodefors but am not totally certain. I saw some pictures of another sodefors and that one had the same placement for the weights and what not, plus they didnt use the weight code but used actually pounds but then again who knows. I am thinking paragon or sodefors, either way from what I have researched they are both really good. Good enough for me atleast. (guess those are the same, was thinking of the other name think its nohab or something)

I took a wire wheel to it and cleaned it up for the most part, the top is pretty darn flat. Really pleased with that. I filed the mushroom on the end of the horn off just a tad, just enough to smooth it out and get rid of the little mushroom on it. I have not touched the nicks on the edge of the top yet. I think I will just touch up the largest one, its a little gash about 1/8" deep, other then that think I will leave it alone. Well except for its intended purpose.
 
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I just scored a 150pd. I think for $50.00 ,the choice was of 2 the other was xxx huge for the same money..This one had a nice stand and all so I went for the middle sized..There was no buying both ,he wanted one..And received the pins of sorts too ,,that fit the peg hole..
I think yours was a fair price for them just not being around ,, Heard one was at the scrap yard , I went and it was gone .. So get them while you can....
Greg
 
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