Without a clear logo stamp on the side I can't be certain but my instincts tell me it's a Trenton. The tells are the heavy fuller marks from drawing out the tail and what appears to be a peened weld at the waist separating the top from the bottom.

1. Lakeside Anvil History

Also, the voids and pitting in the base suggest that the base is cast iron.Trenton made their anvils by arc welding a cast iron base to a forged top. The bases were purchased, while the tops were forged in-house.has a Trenton thatowns a copy of Anvils in America. He might be able to confirm my guess.Edit: After doing a bit more searching, I think it might be a Belknap. If so, that would confirm your thoughts on it being an Arm & Hammer anvil (same manufacturer as Arm & Hammer: Columbus Anvil & Forging Co). Trenton anvils were made by Columbus Forging & Iron Co and are very similar in design. Either way, you win!. Thanks for reply.

Do you know if the Trentons only had the pill shaped indent on bottom? You are correct about the cast iron base and forged top. After flour dusting the logo again I can just barely make out an OC above the Chicago.

From a post on iforgeiron I just found, this would put the lettering in about the right spot for it to be a Bullock hardware store stamp. Thanks for suggesting Belknap as a search for that lead to me finding the iforgeiron page.I have no idea what they were doing with the cutting shelf. It has 2 grooves on both sides where it looks like they bent rod around it. It is mushroomed out on both sides. Do you think it would hurt the value of the anvil if I would clean up the mushroomed sides of the cutting shelf? Just the overhanging steel that has been squished out past the original shelf. It is around 3/16' on both sides.

As much as I hate the idea of anybody taking a grinder to an old anvil, I am just not sure if grinding the steel overhang off the soft part of the shelf is a good idea. Thanks again. Don't really know about the recess in the base. I do know that Trenton sourced their bases from more than one place, but I don't know how specific they were about their design requirements.

Lakeside Anvil History

Based on their willingness to ship anvils that had poorly stamped logos, I believe that they didn't care as long as it had a recess of some kind (to put the weight out on the feet and prevent rocking) and had their leg design on the outside. But that is pure speculation on my part.I think cleaning up the edges on the cutting table will only help the value.

It will certainly make it look a lot less boogered. If it was mine and intended to use it, I would seriously consider making the horn a bit longer by grinding the remainder of the cutting table off completely. It's almost gone now and continuing to use it as a cutting surface would only damage the horn at this point. I also own two Trentons.

It is in fact made by Columbus Anvil and Forging Co. It was made for Bullcock H Cannon Co. Postman has record of just five of these anvils made for that company. He mentions a serial number 37209 for one of them. Your serial number 38508 would put the production year within 1922-1923 Arm and Hammer anvils share many of the same shapes and qualities of Trenton anvils. Columbus Anvil and Forging Co.

Was actually started by a former employee and anvil maker for Columbus Forge and Iron Co. (Trenton) They were neighbors and even had some forgings done at each others shops.

Arm and Hammer bought some of the same cast steel bases that Trenton used. Postman says that a higher percentage of Arm and Hammer anvils he has seen were in far better condition than any other make of anvil he has seen.

You have a fine anvil there, Nice weight to do anything you'll need. I also see the Trenton in the back, Whats the info on that one?. Thank you for the info. Nice to know the date. It makes you appreciate them more knowing at least a little of their life story. Just a shame they can't talk.

She has a great rebound with no dead spots.The other one I am sure is a 176 pound HB. Solid tool steel forge welded onto a wrought base. No cast iron. Marked Lakeside on logo.

I could start another thread with that one. Or just put it here. To be honest I love the old anvils. AIA is on Christmas list. I am using them mostly for blade smithing.