The anvil belonged to my great grandfathers brother. I think I know where another one is, but it may be buried under a bunch of stuff. I still have a lot of the old horse drawn equipment that my ancestors had. If fuel prices continue to go up, I may have to use them again.
You will see most anvils mounted on an old stump. The reason is the wood stump helps absorb the shock and saves the elbow. Also the stump is set directly on dirt. I have one that has been on the same stump for close to 100 years.
You will see most anvils mounted on an old stump. The reason is the wood stump helps absorb the shock and saves the elbow. Also the stump is set directly on dirt. I have one that has been on the same stump for close to 100 years.
This one was mounted on an old oak stump. I had left it in an old barn, and when a windstorm blew the barn down, the roof fell on the anvil and stump. The impact split the stump in half. I need to find another one to mount it on.
My dad had a standard production anvil in his shop. No idea what happened to it. He also had a portable anvil he used when he was setting horse shoes. It was made out of the drive rod from a junked, Baldwin 9600 steam locomotive. The horn wasn't offset like those pictured, but the face was wider than standard production anvils. It was good for making sure the shoe was flat. I know where that anvil is. My "anvil", such as it is, is a 20" section of 90 lb rail.
Your anvil is worth bank. They sell for hundred or sometimes thousands of dollars. I watched a local ranch auction that had 2 anvils, one sold for almost $1500 or so.
I have an old anvil I'd like to know more about. It appears to be a Fisher and Norris made in 1896. I can't seem to find out much about it.
I have a machinist friend over in Missouri that's an anvil guru. PM me an email address and I'll be glad to put you in touch with him. He's got something like 25 anvils in his collection at the moment.
Jim; Top of the morning to you my cyber friend, I hope you and your fine family are well and you're getting decent weather for crops.
When we were into horses I went down a wee bit of a rabbit hole with anvils.
As well the Quebecois farrier who did the hot shoeing for our horses was into it so we'd learn together.
You're correct in that James Jr's is cast by the way the logo and year protrude outwards and is somewhat ornate or better said complicated. At least the base where that is has been cast for sure.
The one wabigoon has is more likely forged and the letters put in with letter punches and we can see the difference.
This guy is fairly easy to listen to and I believe he knows his stuff.
All the best to you all Jim.
Dwayne
Edit to add;
This guy had a lot of useful info on making a shop anvil quieter. Just in case that's useful for anyone out there this morning.
Last edited by BC30cal; 06/30/22. Reason: added another video
Great... Now I'm going to struggle to work on encryption software without succumbing to the temptation of sliding down the "everything you never knew about anvils", hole.
Great... Now I'm going to struggle to work on encryption software without succumbing to the temptation of sliding down the "everything you never knew about anvils", hole.
Steve;
Top of the morning to you sir, I hope that other than avoiding rabbit holes you're well.
It sounds like you might be a wee bit like myself in that regard and if so, all I can say in the most sincere Canuck way possible... I'm sorry...
I've always been that way though, so whether it's been knives, axes, anvils, horses or saddles - well or guns of course but that goes without saying hopefully - I've been prone to diving in while carrying a pick and shovel.
A buddy works up in the Yukon and says that the old mine sights nearly all have a blacksmith shop with an anvil still sitting there. Well the hard to get to mine sights do. He also said that the storage room at the Dawson City museum is stacked with old anvils.
It makes sense though as even today its super expensive to freight anything anywhere up there, so when a mine stops producing the very last thing they'll carry out is a 200lb anvil.
Hopefully the rest of the day is a good one for you sir.