Unusual Hammer

[Indigo Knight]

I've used my down time during the past few months to sort through my backlog of garage sale finds. This is the last real mystery item in my pile.

I picked this up at a garage sale in eastern CT about four years ago. It's a specialized hammer of some kind. I've shown it to several collectors in my area and no one has seen anything like it.
My best guess is that it is some kind of stamping hammer. It's not large or heavy enough to stamp most kinds of wood, so it's possibly for soft metal.

The head is 6 1/2" long and the face is 1 1/4" x 1 3/8" wide. The mark it leaves is H14. I don't think the handle is original, as it also appears to be fitted upside down.

Before someone suggests it, I already sent an email asking about it to the Haines Hammer Museum several months ago. I never got a response, but I still strongly recommend visiting if you ever find yourself out that way.

 

[mojjax]

Lumber Marker ? Neat !

 

[smallfoot]

I've been making knives for years and have a similar hammer that I made myself to place a touch mark(makers mark) on heated metal. Not saying specifically that's what yours is but it would probably do that job. With metal red hot, it doesn't take much of a blow to leave a lasting mark.

 

[bowwinkles]

I have seen this type called a "Rock Hammer" https://www.123rf.com/photo_13099965_geology-rock-hammer-isolated-against-white-background.html

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice piece!

 

[Holt0222]

I was gona say has to be a smithing makers mark hammer.

 

[GibH]

Leather stamp perhaps?

I would agree with it being a timber stamp, it's just the other end makes it look like a rivet hammer.

 

[Indigo Knight]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm glad you all think it's as interesting as I do!

 

[pa plateau hiker]

I think it is too small for a log stamp. The log stamps I have are larger and heavier. The mark made would have been too small to be seen on the end of the log when it went to the mill. The old time lumber men wanted every penny they deserved for cutting the trees down.

 

[leadnugget]

could be a marking hammer for H14 Aluminum.