REQ Bell System Hammer Identification

[Wrenches of Death]

I'd appreciate it if one of you guys could tell me what this specific type of hammer is called, and who originally made these for Ma Bell. Vaughan? Stanley?

I have a couple of them and neither is marked with anything other than Bell System. I replaced the original handle in one of them about twenty years ago and had problems finding a handle to fit. I had to cut down a much longer and larger diameter handle. The eye is oval shaped rather than the flattened oval style like a ball pein hammer.

The hammer pictured has the original 8" long handle.

Thanks!

WoD

 

[JimDon]

That's a lineman's hammer. It had a short handle so the guy hanging on the pole with his climbing spurs didn't have to lean way back the way he would with a longer handled tool. He'd use that hammer to pound the square headed crossarm bolts in place. Also used huge washers and square headed nuts over that. Not sure who made those hammers. Could have been Stanley or Vaughn or some other like Klein. Lot of hand tools for phone co. were made by Utica Tools of New York. They were tough as nails and seldom failed even under severe use conditions. Hope that helps,
JimDon

 

[Tim Cowan]

Jim Don didn't look close enough. The lineman's hammer is larger and has a hole through the back of the head. Your hammer is or was called a "drilling hammer" and its main purpose was for using a stardrill in mansory walls for lead anchors. Cordless drills have made these mostly obsolete. However, I have 3 or 4 of them and love them for their short handle. They were also hnady under the houses for nailing straps or wire runs. I spent 32 with Bell and retired Bellsouth 11 years ago. I used that hammer more than any other on the truck. A great hammer for shaping lead sleeves.

 

[JimDon]

Sorry, didn't mean to mislead. Forgot about possibility of drilling hammer. Was mostly focused on its shorter length for pole use.
Cheers
JimDon

 

[Wrenches of Death]

I spent 32 with Bell and retired Bellsouth 11 years ago. I used that hammer more than any other on the truck.

OK gotcha, thanks.

So basically, the large head was for use with the star drills and the small head was for strapping nails, and general hammering of small nails, wire staples, etc.

I've had one of mine since the early to mid 1970's and the other since late 1980's or so. I had often wondered about the major difference in striking surface sizes. Now it makes perfect sense. You'd only have to carry one hammer to do the job of two.

You're right about it being a convenient sized hammer.

Thanks again,

WoD

 

[Surreal001]

Is this a linemans hammer? Stamped "Bell System." I am curious about the reason for the hole in the head. Just rehandled this one after picking it up at a yard sale with a cracked handle.

Mitch

 

[woody 73]

I have seen a few different Bell hammers with just the wording" Bell system", I never could figure out what company made them because they did not put their name after the Bell system stamp.

Anyone else have one with a makers mark or were they all made without a makers stamp?

 

[southalabama]

Dad did 30 plus years at ATT, mostly sitting in a microwave tower location. First half of his career was installing switching machines. Second half ripping it all out. He acquired a number of bell system marked tools. Back when ma bell was a monopoly they replaced tools often along with ladders and fire extinguishers. Last time I had a bell tech at the office he had stopped and bought a cheap stanley screwdriver. I asked him and he said they don't get tools like the used to. I loaned him a Klein. The Utica dykes are nice.

Don't think dad ever ended up with a hammer though.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have at least one of those Bell System hammers, I will have to check tonight and see if there are any manufacturers marks.

 

[rr361]

My dad worked for them from 1954 - 1982. He "liberated" quite a few tools in his time there. I've got 3 of those and one still has the decorative Stanley decal on it. It actually has a slimmer handle than the others. I'll try and post a pict of it tonight.

 

[My Old Tools]

Stanley made their auger braces and marked them Bell System. I have a few.

 

[redwrench60]

Still waiting to hear what the hole in the head of a lineman's hammer is used for. Is it for installing and removing the climbing pegs on telephone poles?

 

[johnwill]

Still waiting to hear what the hole in the head of a lineman's hammer is used for. Is it for installing and removing the climbing pegs on telephone poles?

Yes, the hole was used for screwing in the metal spikes/pegs.

 

[redwrench60]

Yes, the hole was used for screwing in the metal spikes/pegs.

That makes sense. I had a sneaky suspicion that was it but I couldn't find anyone to confirm it.

 

[bmwrd0]

The hole is for installing J hooks, which are used to support drop wire running down to the house. The wire is given a fist sized loop, and a metal span clamp (can't remember the bell number for that) clips to the the J hook.

Here is a picture:
http://www.hubbellpowersystems.com/pole-line/telecom/drop-wire-service/
That is a very poorly done version, as there is no aerial to work from, hence no loop.