[TheForge] New Anvil!!

[David E. Smucker]

Since it was a Sear's anvil the U is place there to show which is the
"underside" of the anvil.  Most folks who would purchase an anvil from Sears
would need to know which way to place it on the stump.  I got a "son in law"
like that today.  Buys all kind of junk tools from Sears and doesn't have a
clue what they are for.

OK I know, back in those days Sears sold good tools -- and complete
blacksmithing sets for use on the farm.

I really don't have clue what the U means -- will be interested in hearing
what others think.

Dave Smucker

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick at Rafter Lazy C" <rick at rafterlazyc.com>
To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 3:45 PM
Subject: [TheForge] New Anvil!!


> Hello  all  -
>
>     I just had to gloat a little bit.  Last weekend the Illinois Valley
> Blacksmith Assoc. had their get together at Pontiac, Il.  They always have
a
> good time there, and I don't make many meetings of any kind.  Happened to
> get there though and am I glad I did.  There were tailgaters galore and I
> was in my element.  Had a heck of a good time, and then, I happened to see
> an anvil that caught my eye.  I have been looking for a wrought anvil for
a
> long time and this one, as I said caught my eye.
>
>    Long story short, I bought it.  Brought it home, cleaned, wire brushed,
> cleaned, wire brushed, etc. till I had it looking pretty good.  turned it
> upside down and did it again.  Then put a good thick coat of black paint
on
> it.  (Still upside down, no paint on the face!)  The edges of the face
were
> chipped a bit, but rounding them took care of most of that.  Some one used
> it for cutting with chisels (on the horn) and that is cut up quite a bit,
> but I will have to learn to live with it.  Hopefully someday most of them
> will be hammered out.  Not going to grind as it would take 1/16 inch or
> maybe more to get them mostly out.  Don't want to take all that metal
away.
>
>     Looked it up in the book I got there (at Pontiac) a year or so ago.
> 'Anvils in America', by Richard Postman.  Excellent book, by the way.
Found
> out it  is an Acme /Trenton.  Made by the Columbus Forge and Iron Co. who
> made all the Trenton anvils.  This one, and many others, was made for sale
> by Sears, Roebuck, and Co. and so the name on it is not Trenton, but Acme.
> According to the book, and by the serial number, it was made in 1913, the
> same as the 22 caliber rifle I have.
>
>     Now for the wierd question.  Under the heel, (on the bottom side of
it)
> and right near the pritchel hole, is stamped a U.  Does anyone have any
idea
> what this would signify?  If you say it belongs to you, I am not going to
> give it to U.  I can't find anything in the book about markings under the
> heel.  Doesn't mean it isn't there, but if it is I can't find it.  Just
> wondered what you guys thought.
>
>     All the anvils I have worked on have been cast, and BOY does this ring
> and have a great bounce-back.  The face is way harder than the cast anvils
I
> have worked on.  Really nice 100 pound anvil.  Bob Tuftee, if you listen
in
> here, thanks for having it for sale, I like it a lot.
>
>
>  Rick Crawford at Rafter Lazy C
> Home of Smoky Forge and Lem the Wonder Mule
> email = rick at rafterlazyc.com
> home page = http://www.rafterlazyc.com
> forge page = http://www.smokyforge.com
>
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