The Official Anvil Thread

[Bailey Guns]

I don't know why but I've recently developed an interest in old anvils. Probably because of the historical link anvils had to the "shaping" of our country. I've just now started to learn about them so I don't know much...other than they can be REALLY expensive.

So, I found this one on CL for a song. It was being sold by an old farrier along with a bunch of horse-shoeing and leather working tools and accessories. I picked it up today and cleaned it a little bit.

It's a Vulcan #6 (60 pounds) made by the Illinois Iron & Bolt Co. I can't find a date on this one. It's not in the greatest shape but I like the looks of it. And for the price it was a no-brainer.

If anyone can shed some light on this, especially a date range for when it was made, I'd be very interested to know that.

[Bailey Guns]

Found a date: 1942

[rondog]

I'd love to have a real one, but don't really "need" one or have a place to put it. Closest I come to it is a piece of RR track I found. At least it was sawn off nice and clean and square, not torched off. Works GREAT for whacking my bullet puller on, so I keep it next to my reloading bench. But it's not as hard as a real anvil, AFAIK.

Of course, the site isn't accepting photos from my phone again.....

[Grant H.]

This is cool. I've sort of gotten interested in this stuff with getting into smelting and forging things. I've been watching a lot of the videos that Alec Steele posts on YT.

I'll have to go get pictures of the anvil my mom has for shoeing horses.

My other interest has been big, old, American vices. I got one from my wife's estate, and it has been awesome for working on projects in the garage. So much better than the shitty little craftsman vises that so many have...

[Bailey Guns]

RR track makes a good anvil, rondog. There are some pretty good YT videos of guys making traditional looking anvils out of RR track sections.

Yeah...vises are cool, too. I have two of them...both cheap ones. I think my big 6" vise is a HF. It works fine for what I need it to do. And I have a smaller one I use a lot for gun work. I'd sure like to get inside some of the old barns and other outbuildings on some of the farms around here. Many of them are from the 1800s and I can only imagine what's been lost under the stuff accumulated over the years.

[Duman]

My other interest has been big, old, American vices. I got one from my wife's estate, and it has been awesome.....

I already have plenty of vices.....and a few are awesome.....

[Irving]

I didn't take great pictures of this, but I can get better photos if anyone is interested. Please let me know, because it's for sale.

[encorehunter]

Can you get a better photo of the top? She looks in pretty rough shape. I finally got around to getting my forge set up, and would like a little bigger anvil. At the prices of most antiques, I will probably just buy a new one for half the price.

[buffalobo]

Old/antique anvils typically go for ridiculous prices. Post it in TP and enjoy the frenzy.

If you're unarmed, you are a victim

[Bailey Guns]

That looks like another Vulcan. Can't tell from the picture what the weight is. It looks like it's in the 60 to 75 pound range...very similar to the one I posted in the OP. From what I've read in "Anvils In America" and other forums Vulcans are considered entry-level type anvils, commonly bought for school use, farms and other lighter duty work. The one I bought was made in 1942 by the Illinois Iron & Bolt Co.

Is there a number or any other markings on it? A lot of Vulcans will have the weight code on the front of the base between the two front feet. It's simple to read...6 = 60, 14 = 140, etc. Also look to see if it's marked "I I & B Co".

I can look it up in my book if you're interested...just post a few clear photos of any markings.