[ta6point6]

I bought this at a garage sale because it was just different but I have no idea what it is used or what it is called.

[Stuart]

I think it's a soft face or dead blow hammer. There should be leather or rubber pads on each of those square ends.

["QUICK-SILVER"]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I There should be leather or rubber pads on each of those square ends.

Or copper that got mushroomed, cracked and fell off.

Clay

[unruhjonny]

that's neat!

I think Stuart might be on to something - a rubber end to fit over the flared squares?

[Shiny]

That is an interesting tool.

Being curious, I tried using Google's image search and struck out on an exact match, but it found some similar hammers used for blacksmithing.

I found a web site that outlined "types of hammers" and based on this, it looks like some kind of embossing or rivet-setting hammer.

https://www.mechanicalbooster.com/20...f-hammers.html

I'll be interested in hearing what you learn, whether it is an artisan-type tool or was a commercial tool for riveting or manual shaping.

Good luck!

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I think it's a soft face or dead blow hammer. There should be leather or rubber pads on each of those square ends.

That makes sense since it doesn't look like the square nubs were ever struck directly. Thanks!

[dmorg1]

This may be what you need.

[Shiny]

Winner!

You guys are amazing!

[poncho-mike]

I found one of those in my dad's garage after he passed away. One of the covers was missing. I think it was probably produced in the 1960s.
Mike

[stellar]

early style 1/2 inch breaker bar

[RFCOLEMAN]

Early soft / dead blow hammer. Usually one side was red rubber, the other side was yellow plastic. Machinist used them to seat the part down against the parallels in the vice . Several other uses in the shop. One in every tool box through the mid 70's then the newer dead blow hammers replaced them.

[unruhjonny]

that design seems so much better than the crap you buy these days!

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

that design seems so much better than the crap you buy these days!

That's because it's serviceable instead of disposable. Like most old stuff vs new.

[ta6point6]

I went back to this guys garage/estate sale and he said it was a bung hammer. A little worried putting that phrase into a google search . Well there are bung hammers for sealing and unsealing beer barrels. Looking a little further you guys are correct it is a dead blow hammer just lost it nubbins. This is a Craftsman hammer, this guy had a lot of good old Craftsman tools.
Knowledge on this site here is great

[poncho-mike]

My dad passed away about ten years ago. In his early years, my dad worked on tanks and military gear at Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville NC after WWII ended. He next worked as a maintenance man at a fabrication shop for many years, as a diesel truck mechanics, and operated his own garage on and off over the years. He had a lot of old tools, some of which I had no idea what they were used for. I inherited his 3/4" Snap On socket and ratchet set and Williams wrenches all the way up to about 2 1/2". I have no idea what I'll ever use them for, but if the need arises I have them. Unfortunately, a lot got thrown out or stolen.
.

[KS circutguy]

You work all your life to pay for tools as a mechanic the find out when you retire that they are worth penny's on the dollar.
Dam shame.

[unruhjonny]

i don’t know about pennies on the dollar;
the vendors i see selling vintage name brand tools at the swap meets aren’t exactly giving them away.

but i have only bought a couple brand name tools brand new - most of mine have been purchased second hand - so maybe you’re right(?).

I am sure that as with most items one might sell, the lower you price it, the sooner it’s gone.

[KEN CROCIE]

We referred to this hammer as a "candy axe" Mine has 2 yellow nylon faces pushed on. The bright yellow resembled candy.

[salem1912]

Originally Posted by KS circutguy

You work all your life to pay for tools as a mechanic the find out when you retire that they are worth penny's on the dollar.
Dam shame.

At age 68 I changed jobs to a dealer that supplies all tools. I have 3 big toolboxs full of Mac,Snap-on and Matco choking my garage. I can't move at all out there. Where was that idea 50 years ago?