Odd hammer

[Jacobs976]

Got this today because it was something I haven't seen before and to add to my hammer drawers (after removing the "like new" spray job the seller uses on everything metal of course).

The face is convex almost like a ball peen but squashed a bit while the other end is flat like it's not meant to do anything but add some weight. It is slightly forward heavy, around 15° max tilt before it falls the other way, and it has no visible makers marks but does have some pox marks that look to be VERN and the inverse V G(?) which I'm assuming aren't important but they are quite deep meaning they might've been done while the metal was hot or the head is softer steel.


Anybody recognize the design?

 

[yatg]

It's a DOAS. (**** on a stick).

auto body work would be my guess.

 

[Jacobs976]

It's a DOAS. (**** on a stick).

auto body work would be my guess.

Figured it was probably a body hammer of some sort but hadn't come across any like it in my limited research into the less common hammers.

Think I've heard the nickname too so that, while not necessarily wise to Google, might lead to the proper term.

Plus I know the body hammers I do have, 3 or 4 different brands, generally have shallower mfg marks than other purpose hammers so the 1.5mm paint job might be masking it.

 

[Jacobs976]

I've found the right term I think, a single ball end bumping hammer.

Haven't found any that are as stout and short though.

 

[yhprum]

Looks like it could be a blocking hammer? Used in conjunction with a shot bag or a depression to form Sheetmetal.

 

[redragoon]

Looks like a blacksmith polishing hammer. Possibly modified or made by someone into this shape.
Round end is used with a form for working bowls and the insides of other curved metal pieces.

 

[Jacobs976]

So I got it cleaned up and no mfg marks still. Some scratches and dents here and there though but I've seen comparable on body hammers and forge tools. It does appear to be hand forged judging by the ball, the area of the head behind it shows signs of using a forming tool to get the curve with variation between 1-2 visible hits and some slight variation in position(formed slightly off from other sides) along with some variation in the octagonal pattern along the body from minor misalignment during striking.

So general shape fits in pretty much any metal working category but we know it's probably hand forged, it has a hole in the end of the handle for a strap, and it was used(possibly made by) Vern (a name that's locally only been common among the guys around 100 years old and a few under 5 but while those ones treat most things like a hammer I highly doubt their ability to properly use this one let alone manage a full time job).

Don't know of any of that actually helps limiting it to any one trade though.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

It definitely appears to be a metal shaping hammer of some sort. Not your typical body hammer per say but more for metal forming for fabrication. Beautiful hammer I'd llive to find stuff like this at sales but I never do.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I've seen one very similar. It was called a dishing hammer by the owner, who used it work brass vessels.

 

[4xdog]

So I got it cleaned up…

How about some pix of the hammer after cleaning it up? They’ll be usedul for others yet to come onto this thread.

 

[Jacobs976]

How about some pix of the hammer after cleaning it up? They’ll be usedul for others yet to come onto this thread.

Was trying to find my roll of navy blue Texas leather stripping to run a bit though the hole in the handle to finish it up first but the rolls gone missing.




Also bit of red left over mainly in the dimples because I didn't want to strip the patina too much. The steel is a bit more grey than most pieces but there isn't any rust or 1.5mm of red Rust-Oleum.