Subject: Re: old anvil again

From: chris Hubbard <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 19:27:24 -0600

While we are on the topic of old anvils, I have one that has Arm and Hammar
Wrought Iron on the side plus the number 85 which I assume is the weight. I
wondered if anyone has heard of this type of anvil since I haven't seen it
listed in the discussions so far.

        I would also like to hear from any Chicago area blacksmiths since I
am in Dekalb, an hour and a half from the loop.  Chris Hubbard E-mail
[email-masked]  No the corn is not a joke but it is appropriate
for the region.

---

From: Page Thomas <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 9 Feb 1996 08:08:23 -0600 (CST)

> listed in the discussions so far.

Secont part of Anvils and more Anvils, but first a answer to the above.  
This anvil was either forged or given a major repair job by the 
Columbian Anvil & Forging Co.  All their adds from 1906 to early 1920's 
state:
"We can repair any wrought iron anivl, and made it better and new."
 In all of their adds, they do not once mention that they also sell anvils.

I assume that after a major repair job of a wrought iron anvil, they would 
then stamp 
it with the raised Arm and Hammer, I believe enclosed in a circle.  Will 
check this evening and let you know on Monday.

Part 2.  Quoted and paraphrased from The American Blacksmith, Oct. 1914.

Peter Wright started forging anvils somewhere around 1850, after working 
for the Mouse Hole Forge in Dudley.  The anvils were made up of 3 parts 
(before this anvils consisted of 6 parts: two legs, body, horn, 
tail and steel plate (usually consisted of three or more pieces)).
"The bottom part is formed by piling up scrap iron and welding it into a 
solid mass. While still hot it is placed in a die and blocked  to shape.  
The whole of the upper part, including the horn and tail, are forged 
in one piece from scrap iron, the greater part of the shaping being done 
at  the same heat at which the scrap is welded. Next the steel face is 
welded on, the hardie and pritched hole punched, the tail 
or heal squared and the horn finished to shape.  The two pieces, base 
and upper parts are welded at the waist.  This is done by jumping. The two 
pieces are heated in an open fire; when the welding temperature has been 
reached the two ar placed in alignment under a steam hammer & a few blows 
join them together.  The steam hammer is then used as a vise to hold the 
anvil while the edges of the weld are hammered in.  The anvil is then 
thrown on the floor where it can easily be turned in any position or 
direction and finished, as far as forging goes, with hand tools.  For
a long time the steel faces, were welded on in sections of about 6 
inches in length.  Sometime after the turn of the century, the whole face 
was welded on in one piece, borrowed from an An American blacksmith.

Want to forge an anvil???????!!!!!!!

More to come next week.

[email-masked]