do hay budden anvil serial numbers start with a

Hay-Budden changed the manufacturing process during this last period and started successfully producing “Plate-less Anvils” (no top plate) making the entire “Upper” half (top and body) from one piece of forged steel. I would like to say that most of the anvils I have seen in the later years of production have the large Hay-Budden trademark and few retailer names applied. The anvils made by Hay-Budden during this last period contained all the prior described markings. The Hay-Budden stamp may also be small fitting within 4 to 5 inches. The Hay-Budden anvils made during this time may only contain a retailer’s name and weight stamp or both a retailer’s name and Hay-Budden trademark stamp sometimes overlapping with weight stamped in below. These are single digit in the range of 0 to 9 but consistent in size and Font on all the Hay-Budden anvils I have seen to date. No other manufactures of anvils is known to apply a number in this location. If no other marks can be found or determined on a anvil but a number is found marked near handling hole under horn THIS INDICATES it to be a Hay-Budden made anvil. In addition, some anvils may have a number(s) stamped on both sides of the handling hole. The number(s) can also be upsde down on some anvils.

In the book, “Anvils in America”, 'These early Hay-Budden anvils have three handling holes (square holes actually) with one in the bottom of base (underneath), under Horn in middle of the waist and one under Heel (smaller of the other holes) in the middle of the waist.' The majority of these anvils will also be marked with a number stamped under the Horn and either on the left or right side of the handling hole. These two already joined pieces were then forge welded to the Lower Body or Base to complete the anvil. The “Top Plate” or “Faceplate” forge welded to Upper Body usually a distinctive visible line is present ½ to ⅝ below the Top Plate surface (depending on size of anvil) where they were joined. 1880 Hay-Budden anvil was made of three pieces.

Do hay budden anvil serial numbers start with a