Sledge Hammers!

Square_peg said:
Agreed. Straight claw (rip claw) is the way to go.
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The only advantages I find in curved claws are more easily removing nails from wood that you don't want to damage. They definitely have their place, but all you need is a small block of wood to do the same thing with a rip claw.
 
This oddball caught my eye enough that I had to pick it up even though I have no idea what it was used for.

It's stamped CNR - Canadian National Railway - on the side and has a raised 24 just behind the head. I found a picture of one just like it, so I think it is a legitimate specialty tool rather than a one-off somebody slapped together.

 
Canadian Mojo said:
This oddball caught my eye enough that I had to pick it up even though I have no idea what it was used for.

It's stamped CNR - Canadian National Railway - on the side and has a raised 24 just behind the head. I found a picture of one just like it, so I think it is a legitimate specialty tool rather than a one-off somebody slapped together.
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Take a very close look to make sure the C is not a G. Short-lived Great Northern Railroad ran through lower Quebec to Hawkesbury, Ontario from 1892-1907
 
Agent_H said:


Does anyone know what it is?
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I was stumped by that big eye, but out of the blue today I thought it might be for manhole covers, with a hammer in case it's rusted or frozen, and the pick to stick in the hole and pry. That's my guess, anyway.

Then I looked for anything about Hern manhole picks or sledges. Didn't find any quick matches, but learned that there's a Hern foundry in Idaho that makes manhole covers (among other things).

1024px-Sewer_Manhole_Cover.jpg
 
Cool Steve! I didn't actually buy it.
For some reason I thought it might be a cast display deal.

Maybe they were an add on order to the manhole covers- or buy 3 man hole covers and get one "Sewer Pick" on the house.

Thanks for the direction as well. That would never have crossed my mind- and I did try at that.
 
"Manhole miners pick"
Look like a similar animal?
Hern's proprietary blend maybe?








 
This is my one and only sledge. 40 years old, worked hard, put away wet, still tight.
27885939213_459247ac31_c.jpg

28218238830_205db1344b_c.jpg

28501464945_3de82a0754_c.jpg


Engineer's, unknown manufacturer and weight. Has (to me) a very thin handle relative to the head. Handle is eight sided in the grip portion.
28424176831_310eec3ce9_c.jpg


Cheney (1927 patient) and C Hammond claws:
28396487712_3cccc36de5_c.jpg


Label on handle (not from mine):
28396470812_c60b927ebe_c.jpg


Little guy:
27885946463_e3f8229efd_c.jpg


1929 ad:
27885020104_29de3a9563_c.jpg


Bob
 
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rjdankert said:
This is my one and only sledge. 40 years old, worked hard, put away wet, still tight.
27885939213_459247ac31_c.jpg

28218238830_205db1344b_c.jpg

28501464945_3de82a0754_c.jpg


Engineer's, unknown manufacturer and weight. Has (to me) a very thin handle relative to the head. Handle is eight sided in the grip portion.
28424176831_310eec3ce9_c.jpg


Cheney (1927 patient) and C Hammond claws:
28396487712_3cccc36de5_c.jpg


(not from mine):
28396470812_c60b927ebe_c.jpg


Catalog page:
28396467092_199caf254b_c.jpg


Little guy:
27885946463_e3f8229efd_c.jpg


1929 ad:
27885020104_29de3a9563_c.jpg


Bob
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My 1.5lb germantown machinist hammer looks very similar ( granted there's not much to vary in them ) and the original handle was similar.
 
I finally finished reshaping the handle on my Hart 25oz California framer and I really like how it turned out. ( before )

 
Nice Hart!
Something told me Bob was going to have some nice hammers to share. They are some beauties also!
 
garry3 said:
Nice Hart!
Something told me Bob was going to have some nice hammers to share. They are some beauties also!
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Would you believe that this was actually my first hammer which I found neglected on our back patio when I was 12. It's a bit much for a 12yr old and that's why I sat without a good handle for so long.
 
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That is far out! Some 30 years ago in Harrowsmith Country Living magazine there was a feature on an axe collector that had amassed quite a few axes. Most (from the photos I recall) were heads catalogued in file drawers in order to save on space. It's neat that people take it upon themselves to do things like this and I hope these types of collections do not get parted out, or gifted to museums that merely hide them away in boxes and barrels after the owners pass away.
 
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