Ball Peen Hammer ID, Por Favor

[lauver]

Gang,

I picked up a sweet ball peen hammer yesterday at the dirt market.  Got it for peanuts... my favorite kind of deal.  This hammer is heavy, at least 3lbs, maybe more.  It also has a green patina on the undisturbed parts of the surface, and a brassy appearance on the disturbed parts of the surface.  The good news is it has forged in markings all over it, the bad news is a lot of the markings are unreadable do to use and abuse. 

Here's the markings I can make out:

 "FM" in a Diamond shaped depression (this may be the brand or OEM, don't know).

"H3" in a squarish depression (this coud be a model designation).

"ALBR" in a rectangular depression (i believe this refers to the alloy used).

Here's the marking I can't make out:

"??P?O" in a large rectangular depression on the reverse side of the hammer head (this may be the Brand or OEM, don't know).

At any rate here's some dirty pics for your entertainment:




Note the handy work on the handle. If scottg sees this he'll puke.

I'd like to determine the OEM/Brand and approximate time frame of this hammer, if possible.  Any help appreciated.

[rusty]

The goofy handles came that way from the factory. We have seen them here before.
The <FM> means it's Factory Mutual approved (they test things like UL does)
ALBR is because it's alumium-bronze, it's explosion proof, which is why it needs the <FM> mark.

Now if only I could remember who made the silly thing......

Edit: *doh!*

[keykeeper]

AMPCO, Rusty!

[lauver]

rusty & keykeeper,

Good work and thanks for the help.  Now I have a direction (AMPCO) to pursue and see what else I can find out.

I have seen several threads on different sites that covered this type of hammer/mallet, but i'll be darned if I could remember or find any of these threads.

For the record, I don't care if this hammer is sparkless or not,  I'm just looking for a good hammer that is softer and more forgiving than what I'm hammering on.

[rusty]

It's a good user hammer, bronze alloy chips a bit, so keep it dressed, I prefer soft yellow brass, but depends what you are using it for...

[lauver]

Rusty,

I have a couple of smaller soft brass hammers and mallets.  This AMPCO BP hammer is bigger/heavier and will suplement my "hammer porfolio" nicely. 

I did some reading on the AMPCO site and some of their AL-BR tools (i.e. chisels) are actually harder than tool steel. Go figure?  Their AL-BR tool line was introduced back in 1922 (a factoid to store in the back of your brain until the next noob wants info on these tools).

Thanks again for your help. 

[keykeeper]

Being as how that is Aluminum Bronze, it will be safe to re-dress the face.

Ampco made tools also in Beryllium Copper, will is nasty stuff to deal with in the lungs if it goes airborne in the form of sanding/grinding dust. If you find any of those, be cautious dressing them.

BTW: Nice hammer!

[Branson]

Note the handy work on the handle. If scottg sees this he'll puke.

That's a  "vacuum grip" handle -- factory made.  Popular Mechanics shows one in 1931 ( and Modern Mechanics shows them in 1932) as a new innovation.   I have one made by Hartwell Brothers on a 12 oz claw hammer.  I find it to be a comfortable handle.  I saw a hammer handle modified like this by a Viet-Namese carpenter years ago, but yours is a factory issue.  Might help in dating your hammer.

[lauver]

Keykeeper-- Thanks for the heads up on the Beryllium Copper.  I did not know that.  As a rule though, I always wear a dust mask while grinding or sanding because of the silica oxide issue.

Branson--  I checked the AMPCO site yesterday and they are still offering these wood handles as an option on some of their hammers and mallets.  The standard handle now is fiberglass with rubber grip.

I find the octo grip handle (refered to now as German style) to be quite comfortable, but it looks amatuer-ish.  In fact, my first thought when i found the hammer was who F___ed up this handle.  At any rate, I'm happy with the hammer as long as it works well.

[Branson]

Branson--  I checked the AMPCO site yesterday and they are still offering these wood handles as an option on some of their hammers and mallets.  The standard handle now is fiberglass with rubber grip.
I find the octo grip handle (refered to now as German style) to be quite comfortable, but it looks amatuer-ish.  In fact, my first thought when i found the hammer was who F___ed up this handle.  At any rate, I'm happy with the hammer as long as it works well.

Well I'll be darned.  Still making them.  German style, eh?  I don't think the Hartwell Brothers were German... <g>

"The Delphos Handle Factory was established 1872 by John and E. T. Hartwell under the name of 'Hartwell Brothers.' "

[john k]

I used to see handle treatment like this on hammers dealing with tire repair.  Be good for perspiration, hard not to sweat when busting the bead on a 11x20 the hard way.

[lauver]

Gang,

Just a quick Post Script regarding my AMPCO ball Peen hammer-- I dressed the hammer face, refinished the handle, and put a little lip stick on this piggie.  Oh, the before pic's are at the top of the thread.

Here's a few after pictures for you hammer guys:





Hope you like it...  And thanks again for all your help.

[rusty]

Very nice, now you won't want to use it and get it dirty tho -P

The wood handle looks happier also ..

[lauver]

rusty,

Too late... I already used it and scratched the hammer face.  Such is the life of a good hammer.

Noticed the head and handle are nicely balanced and the funky holes in the handle actually create a wonderful grip.  I guess I was wrong about the vacu-grip handle... the OEM knew what they were doing.

I've been wrong a couple of times before...

[keykeeper]

Wow, that hammer is beautiful....Well done, lauver!!!