neg Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 I bought this at the flea market today for $20. I guess whoever owned it thought it was a hammer because the end is a little mushroomed out. Anyway, I can't find any markings on it anywhere. Anybody know about how old it is or what it's worth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiftden Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Its funny what people will use as a hammer. Ive seen some people use strange things when they don't have one handy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Its a coopers stake for making barrel hoops. Worth about $125 or so perhaps $200 to some one who wants it real bad. I have seen a grand total of 4 in my life as a blacksmith (20 years) yours makes 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neg Posted March 10, 2013 Author Share Posted March 10, 2013 Awesome, I guess that was $20 well spent. To mount it should I just bore a hole into a stump and pound it in? Is that how you do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 I wouldn't pound on it to drive it into a hole in a stump. Any deformation to the face will only need to be dressed up, like the peening from its hammer days, and you run the risk of chipping it. I'd drill four 1/4" holes in a square pattern, to make the corners of the square hole, and then eat out the center with a large bit that matches the thickness of the shaft. A few minutes with a chisel to clean it up, and you should be able to drop the stake right in. A tap or two with a rubber mallet might be needed, but certainly no heavy sledging. Awesome find! I'd love to have luck like that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Greetings Neg, I guess 25.00 is out of the question,, A clear 25% profit... A great find lucky.... Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Bear in mind yours has damage so that lowers the value. But you could forge it back into shape and leave it outside for a few years and no one would be the wiser. I have owned 2 the first one I got was badly mushroomed at both ends it was solid wrought iron. The other one I have is steel faced. You could burn in the tang into the stump or you could drive it in with a piece of wood on the face and hit that with a hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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