Sledge Hammers!

Examples of track cut by hand:

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You can see that it was scored about 1/4" deep all the way around. Then the cut would have been propped up over the end of a tie. Hammering with a heavy sledge would then shear it off (relatively) cleanly along the score line.

If you had the tools and manpower aboard the train you could repair track in front of you with material from behind you. Then send a telegraph back to let them know to sent a repair crew out.
 
My forging hammers.

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Pretty much use the left hand one all the time it's an unknown German make marked Gusstahl (caststeel), next an 80's British "Footprint" lump hammer with a longer shaft, next unmarked, a small 3/4lb W.Marples & Son & a war department marked "SETCO" 1941 followerd far right by two homemade cutlers style hammers.

The war department SETCO (Staffordshire edged tool co (Dudley,UK) is one of three I have, middle one probably 60s, smallest ball peen marked 1954.
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Small but intended to shape steel. Picked up this orphan (no mfr mark) to go with my crosscuts and other stuff. Never got around to trying it out.

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Bob
 
I have not found any axes in weeks here in the lower left hand corner, so I'm branching out.


Warren Tool 4# Nevada pattern.


3# Nevada pattern with a mark I haven't been able to identify any help would be greatly appreciated
 
RICKOFF said:
...
3# Nevada pattern with a mark I haven't been able to identify any help would be greatly appreciated
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That stamp (H in a shield or crest) looks like the trademark of Hubbard and Company. The link below shows a similar trademark in a 1956 Hubbard and Company advertisement.

"Hubbard and Company's Tool Division is the leading manufacturer of hand tools for railroads... The division also makes tools for contractors and blacksmiths, and for use in timber felling, mining, and agriculture... The line of tools includes railway track tools, hammers, mauls, sledges, picks, mattocks, grub hoes..."

quoted from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 4, 1956
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8JZRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AmwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4510%2C1445378
(The company's history can be found at that link, also.)
 
Square_peg said:
It's a beautiful hang but I'd prefer a longer haft on a 6 pound.
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Usually, yes. But this was a perfect fit with minimal reshaping, I have an excess of these handles and I envision this being used one handed as an aid during wood splitting duties. In this scenario it is correct I think.
 
I picked this hammer head up as a rusty mess, after a long vinegar soaking it's revealed H.J.N 875 Guss stahl making it German cast steel head of 875 grams, don't know who H.J.N were/are.

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Does anybody know what the small cut out notches are for at the bottom of the eye? Same on both sides. :confused:
 
jblyttle said:
Usually, yes. But this was a perfect fit with minimal reshaping, I have an excess of these handles and I envision this being used one handed as an aid during wood splitting duties. In this scenario it is correct I think.
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I had the same decision to make when replacing the handle on this 4 lb, made in Brazil sledge I came across broken near a friends wood shed. I just used what I had and cut it down to what felt comfortable. I couldn't resist dressing the faces, treating the handle - probably the last care and maintenance it will ever see.
ry%3D400
 
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