Subject: old anvil

From: [email-masked] (Vince Herod)
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 1996 15:13:34 -0600

Here's one for you anvil historians.

While on vacation in New Hampshire last summer I found an anvil that
followed me home to Texas.  It is a london pattern anvil and seems to be of
forged construction.  On the side it has:

                Henry
                Wright
                England
                Warranted
                130

Does anyone have any info on this brand?

Thanks for the help.

Vince

******************************************************************************
Vincent Herod, Metal Shop Supervisor     Phone:(512) 471-0662
Performing Arts Center                   Fax:  (512) 471-3636
University of Texas at Austin            E-mail: [email-masked]
P.O. Box 7818,Austin, TX 78713-7818      Campus: PAC 2.208 E3300

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From: Page Thomas <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 08:56:50 -0600 (CST)

Vince and all other anvil lovers,

Double check your anvil, it should read Peter Wright, England,  
Warranted, although the name of the company was Peter Wright and 
Sons, during the later part of othe 19th and early part of the 20th century.
If it is Henry, you probably have a unique Anvil, for there is no mention 
of a Henry Wright anvil in the literature I have. Take your anvil out in the 
sun, tip it, for good lighting, and have another look.  If still not sure, do 
a rubbing.

The "130" is the weight, 1=112, 3/4 of 112 = 84 and 0=0, The anvil weights 
196 lbs. 

Brief history and dating of Anvils in use before the Hay-Budden in 1886.

Before 1650, made by local smiths
1650?-1850?, made by Mouse Hole Forge in Dudley, England
1850?-1886, made by Peter Wright in England, first at Dudley
1850?-1886, made by the Wilkeyson Forge in Dudley, England, following the 
Peter Wright method of the six piece then a three piece anvil (more on 
these next time)
1842 OR 1843, the first Anvil was made in America by Mr. Mark Fisher, and 
later produced under the name of Fisher & Norris. "Eagle" brand.
In 1864 James Chase got out his first batch of two-piece American Wrought 
anvils, 12 in all.

In Sweden, the Soderfore Bruke Aktiebology, founded in 1250, sold a one 
solid piece anvil in 1885, sold in American as the Paragon.

Next time more about the building up process of the Mouse Hole and Peter 
Wright Anvils.

On Wed, 7 Feb