Hammer Identification Question

[Jan Koenig]

I would love some assistance in identifying this odd hammer that my daughter found in an old toolbox. See pics below.

It looks a bit like a sheet metal or riveting hammer, but I can't figure out the function of the split in one end and the open area behind it. The hammer is about 12 inches long and weighs about 6 oz. There is an Ace Hardware price tag with a price of $2 and change (can't quite read it).

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Jan Koenig]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xb6hnk55zv6jz31/Hammer1.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gcod12q2rhd841x/Hammer2.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3wfys34w8n8b5b1/Hammer3.jpg?dl=0

 

[jeffmoss26]

Looks like a tack hammer to me.

 

[930dreamer]

The end with the split holds the nail/tack, I'm thinking it's a cobblers hammer for making shoes or upholstery work.

 

[Jan Koenig]

How does it hold the tack? The split takes a lot of force to pull apart even a little bit.

 

[930dreamer]

How does it hold the tack? The split takes a lot of force to pull apart even a little bit.

The end halves are like two poles on a magnet to hold the nail.

 

[Chucktin]

Yes, that split end is supposed to be magnitized. So it's some sort of a rack hammer.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[PugetDude]

The Cobbler should recognize that.

 

[Junkman]

Upholstery tack hammer.

 

[MJO]

How does it hold the tack? The split takes a lot of force to pull apart even a little bit.

It says "Magnetic" right on the handle.

 

[neophyte]

It’s a tack hammer.
CS Osborne still manufactures an almost identical tack hammer.
https://www.greenboatstuff.com/coscomatahan.html

The split face should be magnetic, and capable of holding lightweight steel tacks.

I suppose it’s possible for the hammer to become demagnetized over time, but am not really sure.