Old Anvil...

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I have an anvil... I think it is pretty old. My father took it out of a house he demolished in the 1990s. I dont know anything about it.. do any of you? its in pretty rough shape. Looks like it spent 100 years under water or burried in the woods. Anything you guys could tell me about it would be great. Miller Dynasty 300 DXMiller CST280Miller Maxstar 150 STH
Reply:It looks like it's got the shape of many colonial anvils in the base, but it's got a horn..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Did colonial anvil's not have horns? Colonial = OLD! Should i not be using it?Miller Dynasty 300 DXMiller CST280Miller Maxstar 150 STH
Reply:From what I've been told old anvils didn't have horns. Many were what are often referred to as "lump" anvils. The ones I've seen look exactly like yours, minus the horn. For "horn" work they used a separate beek That was usually T shaped that was driven into a stump.You might try posting this on one of the blacksmithing forums. They'd probably be able to give you a better idea of the age. I'm just starting to learn about all of this stuff myself.You might try here...http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/62-anvils/As far as using it, personally I think using old tools is one of the best things you can do with them, as long as you take care of them and don't destroy them in the process. I absolutely hate seeing good anvils as "yard art" and good tools used as wall hangers. I can see keeping truly historic tools protected, but day to day tools were made to be used.My anvil is an 1890's Fisher that I got from my grandfather thru a family member. I touched it up lightly only because it has sentimental value as a family heirloom. If it was one I'd bought to use, I'd do a better job polishing the horn and table so it would be more useful than it is, but I have to respect the fact family members don't really want it "altered" even to remove some of the signs of misuse over the years.Last edited by DSW; 10-19-2012 at 07:47 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:That anvil looks like its had a hard life, it looks pretty well worn and well used could easily be over a hundred years old or even more, I've seen some old victorian Anvils here in the UK over a 100 years old and they look like new compared to that.
Reply:Does it "ring" ?Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Your anvil is missing the steel "cap" that goes on the top.  It's usually about a 1/2" thick piece of flat smooth steel welded to the body of the anvil.  I wouldn't think about using it until you get a new cap on it because you would be beating on the cast part which isn't good.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:SilveradoConsider all advice, but above all, don't do anything to make it clean or pretty until you confidently know what you have.Its greatest value maybe just as it is.Opus
Reply:Definitely have someone check it out. I was up at Gill Fahrenwald's picking up some stuff a few months ago and he had some super old anvils. Only a few really looked usable but all were valuable to collectors. I wish I'd taken some photos. If I recall he had one from the 1500's that came from Spain... it was worth 5 grand or something. I can't remember... my brain turns off once the numbers get too high.
Reply:You could try ranchers.net. There are a lot of farriers and old time ranchers over there who know quite a bit about anvils. Also tell the anvil to quit the Marlboro cigarettes   it has made it this long, I would hate for it to get cancer.Hobart Stick mate LX AC/DCHarris O/A outfit
Reply:It rings like a bell... My research is leading me to believe it is an 18th century or earlier ALSOP... But I really have no effing clue.I am going to throw it up on the suggested forums.Miller Dynasty 300 DXMiller CST280Miller Maxstar 150 STH
Reply:Looks like it was launched during one of those parties where they put a quarter stick or powder between two anvils and launch one.  Maybe they didn't find this in the field for a while.  They make quite a ring when you do it, but lately the feds look down on it as a party activity.
Reply:ABANA or CBA (California Blacksmith Association) could help you identify it,  don't know if there is a chapter in your state.