Anvil Hardy (88117)

1825 Anvil hardy
Provenance: John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection 

Blacksmithing, as a profession, was as much science as it was art. Metallurgy, engineering, chemistry, and physics – all of them went into the proper construction of arms and armor to ensure they would live up to the life-and-death demands placed upon them. As these arts advanced in understanding and complexity the goal turned from not only making functional articles of war but beautiful ones. As a result, those in arms and armor related industries have a strong appreciation for those historical artists whose work we admire and seek to emulate.

Among the tools used by blacksmiths, armorsmiths, and other historical metalworking artists were many common items. Anvils, hammers, and tongs are all recognizable even for someone with little to no knowledge of the field. An anvil hardy, though, would almost certainly confound the casual observer as to its origin and purpose. In fact, it could be mistaken for an axe head until the square feature at the base is recognized for what it is meant to do – to slip into the work hole at the top of an anvil and made fast for its use in shaping and cutting steel along with other, more delicate work.

CAD841.20

1 in stock

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