Oct 26, 2017 anvil identification, quick and dirty michael j. Anvils were first made of stone as a lithic stone tool, then bronze, and later wrought iron. A book for collectors, historians and those interested in anvils. A must have book for anyone that loves the history of old machinery, tools. Is a mousehole anvil a better find than a peter wright, or the other way around, or about equal. Nice blacksmith anvil is the world over for sale close to middle 19th century. I know that mousehole forge was in england, but that is the extent of my mousehole knowledge.
According to richard postmans book, the mousehole forge began making anvils in the late 1760s. After listening to the episode discussing the book and the postman anvil collection i had to get this dedication to the history of the craft. In england a bend in a river with a deep spot is known as a mousehole and mousehole forge was located at such as spot. A metalworking vise may have a small anvil integrated into its design. With a constant demand for cheap goods, such as brandy, gin, tobacco and tea, freetraders made a living from smuggling for many years. Worldclass reads within your reach anvil publishing, inc. The history of anvil making and manufacturers, anvil names, technology and blacksmithing lore.
It ended up to be an armitage mouse hole that tips the scale at 150 pounds. At this time there was a farmhouse part of the present house which incorporated a small cutlery workshop. How could a small manufacturer restricted to about one acre of land with a forge shop having just 9,000 square feet, using primarily water power to drive their antiquated helve hammers and other equipment, compete so successfully with. It was first developed in the 17th century and continued in use until the early 20th century. Besides brands there are types of anvils, london or english pattern, lieges pattern french, american pattern, double horned, german, austrian, farriers, cutlery, sawyers, filemakers, jewelers, bickern, stake or stump and the scythe anvil or dengelambo. Mousehole is a picturesque fishing village on the south coast of cornwall between penzance and lands end. Located on the western edge of mounts bay about three miles west of penzance, this is a place that the guidebooks call the quintessential british harbour village and that dylan thomas crowned the loveliest village in england. Jan 01, 2003 written by the author of anvils in america, the most complete work on anvils in the us, this book discusses the mousehole forge, its history and development over time as one of the foremost anvil manufactories in england, and was instrumental in supplying anvils to the new world. Anvils in america by richard postman more about anvils in.
Most early farm shops had an anvil, or at least a chunk of railroad rail that could be used to straighten or bend metal, set rivets and crack walnuts. The company had a history of smelting lead and producing cast and wrought iron. A truly unusual and unique resource, this extremely handson book brings together three popular but longoutofprint classics the modern blacksmith. Its on the wrong side,and the hardy hole is tapered but a full 1. An explanation of the weight markings on older anvils. Gives you that rustic feel of visiting someones messy shop. The first mention of the village of mousehole is in 1283 and the first mention of portheness is in 1267. A hundred years ago mousehole was a bustling port, crowded with local fishing boats, landing pilchards. The vulcan is an anvil shaped object get the mousehole i have a 200lbs buddin that is great there is a difference between a forged and a cast anvil i just got a 275lbs peddinghause and wow the rebound is sweet it is like hitting a spring i have had a vulcan and i can attest to its crappyness but the logo on the side is real cool. I havent taken the time yet to learn much about the history of the various anvil makers. Im not a history buff, and dont have a mousehole anvil, but i believe ive read it about three times now.
This bookstore is on vacation or is not currently active on. Browse the worlds largest ebookstore and start reading today on the web, tablet, phone, or ereader. By 1664 the lead mill had been converted into an iron forge. This is an historical treatise about the famous mousehole forge near sheffield england, where anvils and vises were manufactured for hundreds of years. Anvilsthe old reliable tool, that gets no respect by ivan raupp and john czekaj the purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the anvil including its components, uses, a bit of history, an identification guide, and references so that interested readers may have a starting point to learn about anvils that they might.
The landmark book anvils in america by richard postman. There is a coastal english town named mousehole and it was well known as the site of a brief french invasion about the time the forge was started. The history of the famous british ironworks and anvil manufacturer. About the pritchel hole on an anvil storm the castle. Mouse hole anvil input discussion in shop talk bladesmith questions and answers started by big smitty, jul 12, 2008. The commitment of lips kudlow and robb reiner to becoming the best thrashspeed metal band they can be is quite astounding the book describes their struggles, and struggles, and struggles. All that was required was a declaration before two witnesses and almost anybody had the authority to conduct the marriage. What we have a suburb of the anvil a book about anvils from their logos. An anvil needs to be placed upon a sturdy base made from an impact and fire resistant material. Its a history of mousehole forge, malin bridge, and is beautifully and comprehensively illustrated. I think this is a mouse hole anvil 111 pounds help with identification. Dating mousehole anvil dating site click and find contacts.
Jul 24, 2015 robin sharples of vintage anvils in the uk demonstrates a beautiful 586lb mousehole anvil manufactured in sheffield circa 1910 we supply vintage anvils to discerning buyers throughout the world. This quick and dirty guide to anvil identification is a combination of a few sources, the abana website the new website does not include the older forum info, for some reason, richard postmans book anvils in america and will be updated as needed. Its breakwater was the earliest in cornwall, begun in 93 thus it seems all went well for mousehole until the spanish raid of 1595, after that things were never quite the same. Convenient online shopping for school and office supplies, arts and crafts, gifts for all occasions, and the latest bestselling books. Postman with john and julia hatfield mousehole forge the history of the famous british ironworks and anvil manufacturer. Anvils in america and mouse hole forge books by richard postman. Another gorgeous little anvil, this 90lb late production mousehole forge product displays. Between approximately 1800 and 1860 mousehole forge of sheffield, england was the premier anvil maker of the world. Anvils in america by richard postman 564 pages, sewn hard cover binding, color slip cover, over 700 illustrations, published 1998. Enjoy same store prices at national book store online. Mousehole, part of mounts bay, is renowned for its rich smuggling history.
Mousehole exported cured fish train oil and woollen cloth to the english garrisons of gascony in the fourteenth century and brought back salt for fish curing. A group dedicated to the products of the mousehole forge a water powered anvil works. Compare with nearby newlyn which is separated by a stream from tolcarne and both were once considered individual places. Also we have post vices, swage blocks, anvil bases and other blacksmith tools. Yes, i read the story of anvil and i havent even seen the documentary yet. That it was used at a very early date is manifest, for even before the discovery of iron, prehistoric man used an anvil of stone upon which he chipped and shaped his spear and arrow heads of flint. The one and only book dedicated to nothing but anvils. I couldnt see a name on it clearly, so i used a wire brush just a little to see if i could make out. Anvil maker, blacksmith, forge, mousehole, england, book, history, industry and technology. We have used blacksmith anvils for sale, including double and single horn anvils, industrial quality, old vintage and historic anvils. We recommend booking mousehole harbour tours ahead of time to secure your spot.
A loose anvil is extremely unsafe, as it can fall off the base and is an ineffective forging tool. Hello, i picked this anvil up a couple months back. Reprinted from the original c1890 trade poster we found carefully folded inside an old book. That might be enough of a reason to justify the purchase to. It requires being fastened firmly to the base, so it will not move when struck with a hammer. Anvil names, blacksmith and farrier anvil brands, trademarks or tradenames.
I have what i think is a mousehole anvil,no marks on it that i can see except its weight 180,but look at the pritchel hole. I recieved this with a damaged cover thanks to shipping. Although usually thought of as the same place, a document from 9 names porthenys juxta mousehole i. It has part of the name stamp on front but i can only make out the word. The mousehole anvils were the first commercially produced anvils in the world and i would say that you made a good buy. Mousehole forge is said to be the first and longest running anvil factory in the world.
It has a little sag to the face but found this is due to the company only using pure wrought iron. Smuggling reached its peak in the 18th century, and cornwall was at the centre of it. Home the last anvil makers anvil tradenames mouse hole forge anvil names, anvil trade names, anvil trademarks, blacksmith and metalworkers anvils. The old smithy at gretna green plays host to a mousehole anvil, used not only for smithing but also as a marriage anvil upon which eloping couples could be married under scottish law without their families consent. Antique blacksmith anvil 1820 m h armitage mousehole 3. This months column is a change of pace from tractors and farm equipment.
The site is designated as a scheduled ancient monument sy1284 and a workshop range within the site is also grade ii listed. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Mousehole harbour 2020 all you need to know before you go. Other than that its a beautiful book and reads like your experiencing a written museum rather than just a book. This is basically just a photo book with a lot of different anvils pictured in it. As steel became more readily available, anvils were faced with it. My personal thinking is an anvil can be capped by using t1 plate and brass to bond the cap plate to gtunes musicapp base, although ive never tried it. Make an easy pritchel hole clamp terrific little tool for holding items down on the anvil and it is easy to make. The history of the anvil takes us back to antiquity, where is origin is lost. The history of small scale attacks by foreigners in the sixteenth century are not very well known by english people and seem to have been eclipsed in the history books by events such as the spanish amada. Top of anvil should be about knuckle height with arms hanging down. Yes, your intrepretation of the anvil as a 105 pound mousehole is correct. Intentionally ultra low quality video with even more intentional even lower quality audio.
I recommend that those of you with the mousehole anvils lay your hands on a copy of richard postmans mousehole forge book. Mousehole forge was one of the first and longest running anvil factories in the world. Below are a few of the thousands of independent bookstores worldwide with whom. Originally mousehole anvils were made by the building up process. Includes small nathan greene print when shipped by priority mail. Its an absolutely amazing piece of blacksmithing history. I used the mousehole forge book as a reference while making this so it would look accurate. This was done to give the anvil a hard face and to stop the anvil from deforming from impact. It was sacked by the spaniards in july 1595 when the entire village, apart from one house, was burnt to the ground.
Btw although two british firms mousehole and peter wright used the old hundredweight. I have never seen a henry wright anvil though i have seen lots of peter wright anvils of course and used to work on a 175 lb. I have several very early mousehole anvils and yours corresponds to a 1820 to 1830 make. I know allot of smiths love a peter wright anvil and they are probably a good anvil but personally i never cared for them myself. The last anvil makers collectors prints by nathan greene. I smacked it with a hammer not to many 180 year old antiques you can do this with and the hammer just about bounced out of my hand, so its definately not dead.
Mousehole forge, malin bridge, sheffield, april 2008, author mick knapton. Mousehole has a number of festivals and activities. From what ive seen i think it is, no markings anymore from rust. T is a coastal english town named mousehole and it was well known as the site of a brief french invasion about the time the forge was started. If anyone can add to the historical background of this piece please comment below. Kaiser thursday, october 26, 2017 public this quick and dirty guide to anvil identification is a combination of a few sources, the abana website the new website does not include the older forum info, for some reason, richard postmans book anvils in america and will be updated as needed.