ECV 1850 Presents:
Anvil In Flight

The Fine Art of Anvil Firing

One of the most colorful traditions in the California
Gold Rush period was called the "Firing of the Anvils."

This was used as a primitive, but very effective
form of communications in the remote Goldfields.

When called upon, the local Blacksmith would place one
anvil on top of another with a small charge of black
powder in between. When the powder's fuse was touched
off by a long red-hot iron rod, the resulting explosion
would send the upper anvil flying into the air, and the
deafening sound would echo through the remote camps in
the hills and canyons alerting everyone of a mine cave-in,
fire, or other danger. It was also used to summon the miners
to celebrate such events as weddings, the 4th of July, or
that a new ECV "Poor Blind Candidate" had been found, and
a solemn Clamper initiation ceremony was about to begin.

Unfortunately, except for a few places like the 4th of July celebration
in Weaverville, California, this exciting and time-honored tradition
is seldom practiced today.


Victorian Bar


[ Photo of plaque. ]


ANVIL FIRING
          THIS MONUMENT DEDICATED TO
THE FOND REMEMBERANCE OF ARCHIE
ARBUCKLE WHO FROM FALSE ARMIS-
TICE DAY 1918 UNTIL HIS DEATH JULY
11th 1970, FIRED THE ANVIL EACH
4th OF JULY.
          ANVIL FIRING HAS BEEN A TRADI-
TION WITH THE ARBUCKLE FAMILY FOR
5 GENERATIONS.
          WE DEEM THIS ANVIL A FITTING
TRIBUTE TO THE ARBUCKLE FAMILY AND
THAT THE SOUND OF THE ANVIL FIR-
ING SHALL BE HEARD IN WEAVERVILLE
EACH 4th OF JULY.
PLACED BY
TRINITARIANUS CHAPTER
OF
E CLAMPUS VITUS
JULY 4th 1976

Victorian Bar

This plaque is located in
the historic town of
Weaverville
Trinity County, CA.

Victorian Bar

Mountain Charlie Chapter No.1850's
XNGH Jim "Boom-Boom" Arbuckle Firing his Anvils
on July 4th in Weaverville, California.

Anvil firing 01

XNGH Jim "Boom-Boom" Arbuckle
preparing the Black Powder charge.


Anvil firing 04

One anvil is carefully placed on top of another.


Anvil firing 05

Carefully positioning the upper anvil.


Anvil firing 06

Anvil in mid-flight through the cloud of smoke.


Anvil firing 07

Another "Flying Anvil."



Victorian Bar


Anvil firing 16

Lighting the fuse with a long pole... FIRE IN THE HOLE!


Anvil firing 17

KA-BOOM!


Anvil firing 25

Anvil in mid-flight.



SATISFACTORY!


More Anvil information:

Anvil Shooting Articles

Anvil Shooting - with Cy Swan and Scott Wadsworth - video

Celebrate Like A Pioneer - with Cy Swan and Scott Wadsworth - video





[ Hand pointing left. ] Return to MAIN MENU.