[Stick486]

Hi, A friend pulled this out of a dumpster, along with another tool, and gave it to me. I have looked and looked and cannot identify it. May I get some help? The only marking on it is ? / 8. Appreciate it. Chris

Actually it isn't a hammer even though it needs a handle it's a lead seaming anvil...
Sheets of lead are edge folded together similar to a snap lock seam...
The operator then slides this tool down the seam while pounding on it with a 3 to 5 pound hammer...
the handle facilitates holding it in place during striking... faster to operate one with a handle than the type w/o one.... Very fast...
Haven't used one of those since the late 50's early 60's...

 

[Stick486]

So what would the " ? /8 " mean? Did they come in different size profiles?

can't remember for sure if ?/8 was for seam width or thickness of the lead but I'm going with width...
as soon as I saw those pics my whole arm and shoulder really started aching.... SNORK!!!
all being ambidextrous gets you is both arms and shoulders ache equally bad...

 

[Stick486]

come to think of it...
that looks just like the one I threw away when I thought nobody was looking...
guess it wasn't thrown far enough..