🔎 UNIDENTIFIED What kind of hammer is it?

Alan Payne

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Jan 3, 2018
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Found this hammer yesterday. I’ve searched the net looking at all kinds of hammers. Cobbler, welding, and metal Smithing. Wasn’t able to find one exactly like it. It has two different size heads. Looks like the heads have some iron residue on them.
4BDF5E59-F264-499A-A936-172324187F5A.jpeg
4BDF5E59-F264-499A-A936-172324187F5A.jpeg
 

pepperj

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Feb 3, 2009
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Spiking hammer/maul
Broke a few/repaired a few.
Setting spikes is a trusting job. driving the spike is an art.

Spike mauls are akin to sledge hammers, typically weighing from 8 to 12 pounds (4 to 5 kg) with 30-to-36-inch (80 to 90 cm)-long handles. They have elongated double faced hardened steel heads. The head is typically over 12 inches (30 cm) long to allow the user to drive spikes on the opposite side of the rail without breaking the handle.

Some spike mauls have symmetrical heads, but most have a slightly longer thinner side and a shorter larger diameter side of equal weight. The long side allows a user to spike over abnormally tall rails, and to drive spikes down next to highway crossing planks. The shorter side provides more surface area which requires less accuracy for normal spiking.
 

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BAW

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Jul 19, 2020
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I have never seen or heard of a track maul with a curved head. I also assume the finder would not think that it might be a cobblers hammer if it weighs 10 pounds. How big is it? If it weighs a pound or so I would say it is a metalworkers curved planishing hammer.
 

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Alan Payne

Alan Payne

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Jan 3, 2018
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Interlachen, Fl
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Thanks everyone for all the interest. I accidentally uploaded the same picture twice. I will try again and upload a size reference picture. Sorry for all the confusion.
B93C97E4-E070-4BB1-BD90-C78E9AB8F7AA.jpeg
 

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Almy

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It's hard to tell the size, but the diameter of each end looks pretty small, like maybe 3/4". If so, too small for a tack or autobody hammer but good for a welding spelt hammer. One end looks like a blunt blade and the other flat, which fits the welding hammer theory too.
 

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Tony in SC

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Jun 8, 2006
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