Tool Talk

Blacksmith and Metal Working Forum => Blacksmith and Metalworking Forum => Topic started by: BuddyC on August 17, 2018, 07:33:18 PM

Title: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: BuddyC on August 17, 2018, 07:33:18 PM

Good Friday
I picked up this Rock Island Lines Cross Peen (I believe) Hammer today.
Just curious if it is associated with the rail road or if they also made tools under the name... and anything else I can learn

Regards!
BuddyC
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1778/43194402215_2f4120def5.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28NWAUF)IMG_5181 (https://flic.kr/p/28NWAUF) by William Clark (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154565645@N06/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: leg17 on August 17, 2018, 08:21:57 PM

How do you know it is Rock Island?

Title: Re: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: BuddyC on August 17, 2018, 08:38:31 PM

It is marked Rock Island Lines

Title: Re: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: oldgoaly on August 17, 2018, 11:10:22 PM

Maybe property of their blacksmith's or repair shop?

Title: Re: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: leg17 on August 18, 2018, 09:10:56 AM

They usually marked things "CRI&PRR"
Curious.
I don't see the markings in the photo.

Title: Re: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: Papaw on August 18, 2018, 10:11:34 AM

By looking at the photo on Flickr and enlarging it, I can see markings, but can't decipher them. Do you have any photos of only the head ?

Title: Re: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: BuddyC on August 18, 2018, 03:11:57 PM

Do now

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1816/43210772655_85559968aa.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/28QovgD)00000PORTRAIT_00000_BURST20180818150500217 (https://flic.kr/p/28QovgD) by William Clark (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154565645@N06/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: leg17 on August 18, 2018, 04:28:00 PM

Well I don't know.
Looks like a commercial made head.
(Many railroads made their own wrenches and other tools 'back in the day'.)
And,...the marking is curious.
Looks like you got a mystery on your hands.
Good luck.

Title: Re: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: oldgoaly on August 18, 2018, 04:49:25 PM

Many tool makers did batch runs for larger companies and would put their company name on the tools as part of the deal.This is a Ford script hammer most likely from the 1920-30's for the H.F. Trade School, made by Heller

Title: Re: Rock Island Lines Hammer
Post by: BuddyC on August 18, 2018, 09:38:19 PM

I like a mystery

thanks