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3 Antique Specialty Hammers

patack2

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I have 3 antique hammers from an estate. They are marked 100, 200, 300
100 is 12" long. The head is 12" wide. It is marked with maker's initials and dated 1882 (there was another with same initials dated 1881 that I do not have).
L.M.A. 1882

200 is 11.5" long. The head is 3.25" wide. Unmarked, but has all the characteristics of 100

300 is 7.5" long. The head is 2.75" wide. Unmarked. Sadly, someone put 2 small nails in the wood head and did a bad job.

Numbers 200 and 300 look like tack hammers. No idea what 100 was used for and why both sides appear to be identical.

Help and thoughts, please?
Thank you.
 

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neophyte

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The one hammer looks like what CS osborne still manufactures and sells as their 57 series “riveting” hammer. It’s available in a number of weights.
The smallest hammer is similar to one of the standard hammers sold by jeweler suppliers and watchmaker suppliers.
 
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patack2

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The one hammer looks like what CS osborne still manufactures and sells as their 57 series “riveting” hammer. It’s available in a number of weights.
The smallest hammer is similar to one of the standard hammers sold by jeweler suppliers and watchmaker suppliers.
Are you talking about the CS Osborne for #200?
Thanks.
 
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patack2

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100 and 200, both look like silversmith's hammers. There are probably hundreds of different head designs, but the handle tapers indicate they were for low impact work.
I can't figure out why it would be the same on both sides #100. And, does the maker's mark and dating have any impact on this?
Thanks.
 
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patack2

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100 and 200, both look like silversmith's hammers. There are probably hundreds of different head designs, but the handle tapers indicate they were for low impact work.
I can't get over how thin the neck at the top of the handle is. It must have been for very low impact work.
I forgot to mention that the estate was that of a gunsmith and contractor. He was also a collector. Would any of these hammers be used with gunsmithing?
Thanks.
 
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patack2

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I forgot to check off email notifications when I posted. Have to remember to keep checking in the link.
 

steaks&anvils

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#200 is a riveting hammer, as mentioned already. Lots of manufacturers of this type, but C.S Osborne is a good guess.

#300 is a classic European goldsmiths hammer or watchmakers too. These have been made forever.

#100 is an odd one. Yes, delicate handle, but the faces being the same and not rounded in anyway is odd. I had thought it was a creasing hammer, varied examples attached.

Try posting on the hammer thread, people over there might get a "new post" notification and they may have a better idea. Not everyone watches every tool thread.

 

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patack2

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#200 is a riveting hammer, as mentioned already. Lots of manufacturers of this type, but C.S Osborne is a good guess.

#300 is a classic European goldsmiths hammer or watchmakers too. These have been made forever.

#100 is an odd one. Yes, delicate handle, but the faces being the same and not rounded in anyway is odd. I had thought it was a creasing hammer, varied examples attached.

Try posting on the hammer thread, people over there might get a "new post" notification and they may have a better idea. Not everyone watches every tool thread.

Thank you for your response and suggestion. I'll post over there in the morning.
 

steaks&anvils

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So after looking around the web, I have a guess for hammer #100.

It's a saw setting hammer... I know, "saw set" is the joke du jour for unknown tools. But really quite a few come up with similar flat faces on them. There are many larger heavier saw setting hammers, but this type does appear.
 

Tools4Me

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Hammer #100 looks awfully close to the one in the following link. He calls it a patternmaker's hammer.


The only real difference is the linked one has one head rotated 90 degrees.
 

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steaks&anvils

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Hammer #100 looks awfully close to the one in the following link. He calls it a patternmaker's hammer.


The only real difference is the linked one has one head rotated 90 degrees.
I think you got it, or at least a hammer by the maker. I missed that hammer while searching that site. Or I passed it by because of the cross pein.

That socket/eye sure looks the same The two square wedges are the same too!
 
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patack2

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Hammer #100 looks awfully close to the one in the following link. He calls it a patternmaker's hammer.


The only real difference is the linked one has one head rotated 90 degrees.
Wow. I enlarged the last photo and there are two pieces of metal just like the one I have that is marked and dated. Also, the style of the handles looks very very similar. That's a nice price. Didn't think I could get that excited about a hammer lol
I wonder if the pattern maker's hammer was used for wood patterns. I have/had a lot of wood patterns from mid 20th century Philly. Only have a few left.
Thanks so much for that link.
 
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patack2

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I think you got it, or at least a hammer by the maker. I missed that hammer while searching that site. Or I passed it by because of the cross pein.

That socket/eye sure looks the same The two square wedges are the same too!
Yes! I missed this thread or it was hiding, but I responded to the other with the same notes. Thanks again!
 
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patack2

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So after looking around the web, I have a guess for hammer #100.

It's a saw setting hammer... I know, "saw set" is the joke du jour for unknown tools. But really quite a few come up with similar flat faces on them. There are many larger heavier saw setting hammers, but this type does appear.
I just did a quick search and didn't come up with anything like mine, but I must say some of those listed as saw setting hammers are odd (to me). Thanks again.
 
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patack2

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100 could also be a raising hammer. If you can find s copy of Bode's book "The Hammer", you might be able find it in there.
100 is a one of a kind (I think). It was part of a collection. I did find a page with Bode's hammers and didn't find anything similar, but wow... that book is a bit too pricey for my pockets. $75-$95 and With Hammer in Hand by Hummel? for $125! Thanks for the info.
 
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patack2

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So far, I think the example of the patternmaker's hammer is the best (and probably made by the same person. I don't think I've ever seen or even heard of so many different types of hammers.
 
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