I know *what* it is, but origin/use theories?

[bigegg]

It's a n'ammer - brick for scale



Technically, its a family heirloom, as it dates back to at least my g/grand parents

Solid iron head.
Solid iron handle (which has some "spring").
There are no marks, and looks hand-wrought, but it could be just badly pitted from being kept outside since the 1940s (at least!)

Used by my parents + grandparents as a "tent peg mallet" - but goes back *waaaay* further than that.

If its any relevance, paternal family were "hawkers" - they imported brushes from Ireland via their own boat, and my immediate g/g/grandad delivered them on a horse+cart - so possibly a staking mallet tosecure a horse?

Maternal family worked on the fairs. G/dad ran a bare knuckle ring, and a strongman show, so possibly from there?

Third, G/g/dads maternal family were gardeners somewhere at a big house in N.Leeds.

Fourth:
We might have just "acquired it" from an auction or farm sale at some point.

But, having never seen anything similar, i was wondering if anyone has anyone input?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Tis for hitting things


Looks like a made affair. Rather than a bought tool.

 

[bigegg]

Tis for hitting things


Looks like a made affair. Rather than a bought tool.

I agree.
But...
The handle is all the way through the head, and has either been heatshrunk on, or welded.
So it's been done by someone with some dedicated tools.
Definitely not just "knocked up in a shed"

 

[Hitch]

Looks a bit like a blacksmiths tool, a drift of sorts. Sure they have a proper name but it escapes me.

Not used as a hammer, hence the handle being a bit spindly, but held in place then hit with a hammer.

 

[tom2207]

wonder if its been used as a spacer , maybe on a punch , or fence post driver or the likes , where the handle is used for holding it in place rather than swinging it.

 

[Migmac]

Thats seen some use

 

[TechnicAl]

mallets mallet

 

[Migmac]

mallets mallet

Wot, Timmy’s mallet

 

[gt6s]

Drift.

 

[bigegg]

Looks a bit like a blacksmiths tool, a drift of sorts. Sure they have a proper name but it escapes me.

Not used as a hammer, hence the handle being a bit spindly, but held in place then hit with a hammer.

A flatter?
Usually square shaped, but that's a good call

 

[slim_boy_fat]

My guess would fairground usage - afaik they were/are traditionally held on links ground(s) so could have been used in the installation of side-shows, stalls etc into soft, sandy ground?

 

[Arc Tourist]

Judging by the mushroomed end, It would seem that it was placed over an item and then smacked by another hammer, transferring the effect.

 

[bigegg]

Judging by the mushroomed end, It would seem that it was placed over an item and then smacked by another hammer, transferring the effect.

A lot of that is just use - its hammered in a *lot* of tent pegs over the years.
And i've been known to use it as an impromptu anvil

 

[gordon stephenson]

We used to make soft faced hammers like that a long time ago on the steel works, As per yours, welded metal handle and "head" . the head was then filled with molten aluminium or lead, leaving it well proud of the metal head of course.