New anvil

[geneg]

Hello,  Anyone have a copy of Postman's Anvils in America?  I've been going to auctions for years hoping to get a decent anvil.  Normally they go for crazy money or are beaten up cast iron junk.  Few weeks ago at a farm sale I got a 137# Peter Wright with a cut hardy for less than $2.00 / pound.  I paid $245 & feel good about it.  Has a good ring, no big chips or divits & it is big enough to use, small enough to move without hurting myself.  Real reason for the post is to get some idea of its age.  Been to anvilfire & other blacksmith sites & just get more confused.  I'll try to post some photos. 
It is marked:

PETER
WRIGHT
PATENT

SOLID                 semi circular lines
WROUGHT

1   0  25              indicating 1 hundredweight  (112#) + 0 quarters  (28#)  + 25#   =   137#   

before cleaning the grease off, we guessed it at 140-150, so not too bad of an approximation.

on the front feet it has a 3/4" tall 1 on one foot and the same 1 upside down on the other.
These are the age indicators-  per some sources  Other "facts" are that after 1900 mfg date would say ENGLAND under the word PATENT.

Reason for the book request is to see if it has a valid indication of age / or any other info for this anvil.
$75 price tag for the book is better spent on tools.

I bought it to use, not to flip-  just curious.  Grew up using a 2' piece of railroad track, this is just like downtown.
Thanks, Gene

[keykeeper]

Have you tried iforgeiron.com? They have a section specifically for questions about anvils. I don't have the book, but I know a few over there do. I don't go there too much anymore, spend most of my time here talkin' tools!!

I think Poorboyblacksmithtools on eBay will help you out if you through him a question about it.

Sounds like a sweet deal on that Peter Wright. Should serve you well.

Personally, I have a 162# Fisher and a 70# Vanadium Cast steel anvil. One rings, one doesn't. I still love them both.

One of these days, I'll invest in that book, just haven't seen, like you, blowing that kind of money when I can always find new tools I want!

[lazyassforge]

Gene,

According to Postman's book, the word England on the anvil was used after 1910. The stampings you describe were used from 1860 to 1910. Also according to the book, about 1885 the top plate went from being made of multiple pieces(the joints would probably show up as slight depressions running across the face of the anvil) of tool steel to only one piece. He also says that he had not came up with any reason for the stampings on the front foot of the anvil.

Hope this helps, Bill D.

[anglesmith]

Only large anvils (3cwt+?) had multiplate tops and then I  think it was mainly the early ones. I certainly haven't seen any large ones with with decernable multible plates. I have a 4/12 cwt PW and my mate has a 5/12cwt (no joins). With out getting postman's book out of it's box, I think they were finished by the thirty's? It is not a book where you remember all of it's contents the first time!! So somewhere  between 1852 and 1930?? or as L A Forge  said if it's got England after, 1900-10.The Govt made it law that EXPORTED goods had to have England or Made in England stamped on them, some crockery company's started marking so in the 1890's! PW Are the very easist of the English to distinguish, having features that set them apart, only Hay Budden match them for quality(IMHO) some say exceeded!
Graeme

[Branson]

I would love to have a Peter Wright!  Under $2 per pound?  A good price -- sounds like a late 1980s price.

The Union army issued 100# anvils for mobile and traveling forges,  Peter Wrights were among those purchased, along with Mouseholes and Hay-Buddens.  Maybe Fishers, too. 

[kxxr]

Hello,  Anyone have a copy of Postman's Anvils in America?  I've been going to auctions for years hoping to get a decent anvil.  Normally they go for crazy money or are beaten up cast iron junk.  Few weeks ago at a farm sale I got a 137# Peter Wright with a cut hardy for less than $2.00 / pound.  I paid $245 & feel good about it.  Has a good ring, no big chips or divits & it is big enough to use, small enough to move without hurting myself.  Real reason for the post is to get some idea of its age.  Been to anvilfire & other blacksmith sites & just get more confused.  I'll try to post some photos. 
It is marked:

PETER
WRIGHT
PATENT

SOLID                 semi circular lines
WROUGHT

1   0  25              indicating 1 hundredweight  (112#) + 0 quarters  (28#)  + 25#   =   137#   

before cleaning the grease off, we guessed it at 140-150, so not too bad of an approximation.

on the front feet it has a 3/4" tall 1 on one foot and the same 1 upside down on the other.
These are the age indicators-  per some sources  Other "facts" are that after 1900 mfg date would say ENGLAND under the word PATENT.

Reason for the book request is to see if it has a valid indication of age / or any other info for this anvil.
$75 price tag for the book is better spent on tools.

I bought it to use, not to flip-  just curious.  Grew up using a 2' piece of railroad track, this is just like downtown.
Thanks, Gene

Here's the book:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Anvils-America-Blacksmith-Anvil-Tools-Book-/260864932677?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cbcc2fb45
It must be a big book for 10.95 shipping. Amazon has it for $65 and the shipping may be more reasonable. The ebay one is signed by the author it says.