Huge hammer and hammerstone

[BJH62]

Hello all-

Out hunting yesterday about 1/2 mile from where I found the earplug. Another field that has been hunted and farmed for decades. Then these two pop up. I found the 3/4 groove hammer first. It's big...15lbs, 8.5" long and 18.5" around at its widest spot. The groove is about 1.5". The white streak looks like a plow scar.

The hammerstone was about 20 yards away. It's varies in diameter from 5.5" to 6.5". It's about 1.5" thick. Biggest one I've found. Makes me wonder if it was used in the process to tap out the groove in the hammer? Any thoughts on that?

I sure got a workout lugging them back to my truck but it's the kind of workout I like!

Thanks for looking,

BJH

 

[jmaschal]

That's a nice axe - huge and in amazing condition. Wow!

 

[Mrdigz]

That's an awesome find. Thing is a beast... Congrats!
From the picture of the hammer stone it looks like it could of been used during the grinding down process of the hammer. And If it was used in the production of the stone hammer there should be a chisel hiding in that field. The pecking marks are from constant impact with the chisel on the face of the hammer stone. This is just from what I can tell with your pics. Nice find!

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Awesome finds. Those big Grooved Mauls are rare finds and that one is a dandy.

 

[arrow86]

Wow!! Great find that's one of the biggest hammers Iv seen

 

[RockinIdaho]

Those are just HUGE! I wonder how big the fella was that made or used that tool?

 

[scruggs]

Congratulations...Super find you made...I'm sure you'll hunt that field again soon! Good luck when you do!

 

[Rege-PA]

Have some thoughts on your hammer but need to know what state it was found in.

 

[Buckleberry]

Killer Maul! think that other stone could be a mano?
Does it have a smooth side?

 

[BJH62]

Rege...Found in Minnesota

Buckleberry...Does not have a smooth side. Very similar to the other hammerstones I find, just a lot bigger. The wear on the edge goes about 3/4 of the way around.

Thanks

 

[Rege-PA]

These huge hammers have always interested me as to their use. Both ends are not exactly flat and one would have difficulty trying to hammer in a large stake. Therefore they seem to be designed to transfer as much force as possible on a small area and the extreme weight would not be something that someone would carry around every day. The two uses that come to mind would be breaking ice in the winter to get water and bashing in the skulls of downed but not quite dead bison. Just my thoughts...........Oh and a super nice example!

 

[EricTheCat]

Excellent find and thanks for sharing. When I first saw the pic of the one with the groove it reminded me of a stone that I remember a girl bringing in to show and tell when I was in grade school (in the 80s). I have been paying attention to this forum for a while now and once in a while I remember that stone and think about why I haven't seen one much like it here in terms of size. This one, however, is very similar. Interesting that this one too was found in Minnesota.

 

[rock]

Thats a big one for sure. I have heard all kinds of theories on those but 1 that stands out to me well maybe 2. Canoe weight and the other depends on the age of it but I have heard they used them to tie their horses to it so they wouldnt run off. Just a couple other things for you to consider. Its a keeper

 

[DigIron2]

Holy cow what a find , That is one sweet monster piece.

 

[quito]

Incredible!!!

And I thought my 13 pounder was big.

 

[reddirt]

Awesome find. Man they had to be strong to hammer away with that thing.

Not too sure on the rules for banner finds. I still see ur ear plug up on the banner. But I think this find is just as banner worthy. You got my nomination.....

 

[monsterrack]

That is a man size maul but the hammer stone from what I see may be the making of a discoidal game stone. Some better photos of it would be great, then we could know for sure. Super duper finds

 

[BJH62]

Monsterrack--Here are some more photos. Same stone, lighting is just different. . 1st pic shows the part of the stone that doesn't show wear, 2nd pic shows some battering marks on the top of the stone (this is pretty common with the hammerstones we find), 3rd pic shows the wear which covers about 3/4 of the stone's edge. Thanks for the comments.

 

[CHUDs]

Maybe used as a weight for a fish weir... I found one similar to that in a creek..,

 

[creekhunter]

Isn't it great to recover such great artifacts from the fields that have been plowed and turned over so many times! Way to go.