I recently picked up an old used carpenter’s hatchet. The head is the typical ax blade on one end and hammer head on the other. Stamped on the side is a large “2” and the word “HAMMOND”. Below that it says “CAST STEEL”.
Has anyone ever heard of this company, I’m assuming that Hammond is the maker, the 2 might be a reference to the size, and obviously its made of cast steel. Any information would be appreciated.
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Charles Hammond
Hammond ran an edged tool factory in Philadelphia with his son. He had government contracts for 5,000 axes and 5,000 hatchets, and also made tomahawks and a small number of sabers. His swords are rather crude in appearance, with blades that appear handmade and roughly cast guards, have no US stamp or inspection marks, and have a grip that doesn't taper like other '40 models or swell like '60 models. With such deviations from the norm, it is no surprise that William Albaugh included them in Confederate Edged Weapons. However, being made in Philadelphia, these are truly Union swords.
Picture:
Cavalry saber
http://www.angelfire.com/wa/swordcollector/marks/page1.html