Hand tool for setting rivets w/burrs in awkward locations??

[ValkyrieEquine]

I'm revamping some original McLellan saddles for reinactment and the rivets are a bitch to get my anvil under to get them in the original holes. I'm making due, but wondering if there is a hand tool that would set the burr and squeeze it down, and possibly round it? It's a royal pain trying to manipulate the saddle and hold it in the correct position to barely get the tip of the anvil under the head. (I'm using round and flat head brass rivets with burrs, if that makes any difference.) As we will most likely be making some modern versions in the future, I would like to have a tool to make this process quicker and easier. I've looked for tools online, but all I'm finding are the typical hand setters. Thanks in advance!

[TomE]

Would a bumping dolly be heavy enough to replace the anvil?  One person holds the dolly and saddle and another person sets the rivet.  They come in a variety of shapes for auto body work.  Eastwood Co. sells quality tools https://www.eastwood.com/fairmount-double-ended-round-dolly.html

[bruce johnson]

A stake in the hardy hole of the anvil will work on some level. Something that would be solid enough to peen against. 

[Hags]

I was going to suggest a stake as well. Been meaning to find or fab one for mine..

[Handstitched]

I have a square  rounded  ' lump' of metal that was used by a blacksmith, the sqaure post  bit that  originally goes into the anvil, I use as a handle  for setting rivets etc. in odd positions . Perhaps a dolly used by panel beaters/ smash repairers may do the same thing? 

HS

[fredk]

I agree, a panel beater's dolly would do the job.

If you can, search for very old panel beaters dollies. Some of the old ones had a bar for fitting into  the hole on anvils. I had a great early 20th C. set of dollies'; about 15 different shapes, in a lovely fitted wood box,  but only one shaft bar. The dollies were interchangeable to the bar. Alas, stolen along time ago

[toxo]

I often use a solid bar poking sideways out of a decent vice.

[Handstitched]

2 hours ago, fredk said:

I agree, a panel beater's dolly would do the job.

 What I have is called a (very old)  ' blacksmith anvil dolly'  that I use for repairs mainly, awkward locations , setting rivets etc.  on handbags etc.  Its heavy  enough for me hit against  with a hammer. 

'Necessity is the Mother of invention' 

HS