Gang,
I did a quick dredge of the local pawns this week and could not find much to like. I did manage to pick up an vintage Blue-Point 12oz ball pein hammer that caught my eye. It looked "rough and grimey" when I found it, but I figured it would clean up nicely and could go back in service with a little TLC.
So, I removed the head from the handle, gave it a good wire wheeling, dressed the faces with a file and 220 grit sand paper, and called it good. I cleaned up the handle using "galoot mix" (1 part paint thinner, 1 part boiled linseed oil, and 1 part paraffin) and very fine steel wool. The handle is now smooth but still retains all the pre-existing scars and patina. I cut 3/8" off of the top of the handle, recarved it to fit the eye snuggly, and remounted the head using the old wedge. About 2 hours work in all.
Here's a few pic's:
It's a very comfortable well balanced hammer. OAL is 13", head weight is 12oz, made ca. 1958-1967 (maybe a year or two earlier or later).
It always amazes me how cheaply good quality tools can be had at pawn shops if your willing to overlook some roughness. If it aint all shiney and new, pawn shops just seem to want to unload them quickly.
And yes scottg, the pickins were slim here too.
