I went to a yard sale today put on by an old timer who was doing a final yard sale before he closed on his home he was selling. I didn't see anything worth while but decided to see if he had any vises. He said he had a vise on his bench and if I liked it I could have it for $5. He said to walk into the back yard where I would find his garage. I really didnt have high hopes for the vise but it turned out to be a 50s 4 inch craftsman, the end of one of the jaws had cracked off and it needs a retaining clip on the screw so when you back it off the jaw follows it but it was well worth the $5. Anyways I nearly tripped over an anvil with no horn when I backed away from the work bench with the vise in hand. I've been looking for a anvil and did want one with a horn but decided to ask if he was willing to sell it. I asked and he said yes he would sell it, told me he had no need for it, needed it gone and if I could pick it up and haul it away I could have it for $5, he also included a really nice body dolly with the $5 anvil and two vise grips for a $1 each...... Yup, you could be stupid and realize it was the deal of the century. Now I know little about anvils, The corner has been damaged and I looked to see if the horn had been knocked off. Nope it never had a horn, I dont have a head on picture but trust me it never had one, which I find strange. I see no maker marks and the guy said it was really really old. I'm completely guessing and I do know my own strength, I'm pegging this anvil at 125+ lbs Any info on the anvil would be helpful, have you seen old anvils without horns before?
Even if it was broken, you can't miss for $5. I believe there's a discussion over on the Garage Journal about anvils, some guys there seem to really know those things.
even without a horn that was a good deal.....but i have never seen one without one. must be some special application?
That is strange, with no horn, as it has a tail with a hardy hole. That corner could be built up and restored. My guess would be maybe a colonial era nail maker's anvil, which would use a flat table for drawing out and a hardy for cutting to length. Most other blacksmithing operations warrant a horn. Apprentices were used to make nails, leaving the smithy to focus on more advanced tasks. Several apprentices could make thousands a day, each with his own little anvil and fire. Regardless, great score!
ya maybe its a colonial anvil, i did a google image search, that time period does have anvils that look like mine without hones
I forged a couple of knives with a guy that had a bunch of old blacksmithing equipment. One of his anvils had the horn cut off, and when I asked about it he said he got it in the southeast. He said that in the south after the civil war the army would have the horns cut off of any blacksmiths' anvils. I don't know if this is true or not, but it sounds legit to me.
It looks to me like a cross cut saw filers anvil . The peg and raker saws lumberjacks used years ago had to be straightened and they used a special hammer with it to hammer the blades straight . Some of the falling crosscuts out here on the west coast could be 14 feet long it is quite a job to get right .
i remember thinking "what if" before I picked it up and walked back to the front of the property to the really long driveway started, he was in farm country and he had his front driveway blocked with the yard sale, so no easy pull up with the car and throw it in back. I also had to cross a road with a 50mph speed limit.....than i thought $5 anvil, worrying about consequence solved! being 32 helps also.
That old guy was probably 32 when he bought it. That was the last time it moved, next time will be your estate sale! /haha. Good stuff!
ha...you could definitely be right, i will make sure if that is the case its sold to a eager young car guy for $5....that would be cool
If you would like someone to break that anvil, my mechanic tells me..." even an anvil is not safe around that guy".
My only question is ...How the Hell do you manage to break an anvil??? Oh wait a minute..I have a grandson that probably could... Never mind..
Not only do you have a broken anvil... you have a broken anvil that can still be used and and anvil (partially) You also have a good base to place a beater (shot) bag for hammering sheet metal by hand. Kolor me jealous.
i did a quick look and I did not see any....I will do a closer inspection later today and have more photos for you guys
You got a good deal and made a Old Gentleman's day . He knew you would use his tools that he had no use for any more. Plus you will think of him in a good way every time you pound on the anvil.
i just seen this one on my local craigs list this morning, looks to be very similar and in excellent cond. for 875.00 http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/3874546903.html
The last anvil I bought I paid 20 bucks but it's not as old as the one in the photo,everyone needs on in their shop. HRP
well i through the anvil on the scale and I was dead on with my weight estimate of 125lbs, i did a closer look for maker marks and did not find any, I will post some more pictures in a few
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