Can anyone help me id this vintage hammer. I got it from an uncle who has since shuffled off this mortal coil and i can't ask him. Many thanks for your help

hammer 1 Submitted By: Christopher Roberts on Feb 6, 2013

Hammer 2 Submitted By: Christopher Roberts on Feb 6, 2013

hammer 3 Submitted By: Christopher Roberts on Feb 6, 2013

Looks like an old Stubai. Probably similar vintage to my dad's.

No marks? Look both on top and underneath the head. Common that they didn't have maker's marks, though.

Edit to add: I've seen the tangs marked too. Usually faint.

I'm gonna say Stubai as well.. first i thought Salewa bit no

Take it to Andy at IME SLC

Thanks fellas, any idea on age?

Probably a Stubai model. They made three or four different weights and head shapes. Yours is the mid-sized version or the model they called the "descending hammer" (hard to tell from the picture). Similar head designs and weights have been around for a long time. The first civilian hammers of that type were produced in the early 50s and remained unchanged into the 70s. From the handle and what I can see of the tangs I would guess mid 60s vintage. The older handles were a bit fatter on the ends and had a nice narrowed section in the middle (like yours). Without really holding it and studying the details it's a tough call to date it any closer.

I hope this helps. Nice hammer.

Brian in SLC is right. Look very closely for markings on the front tang just under the head. They are often faint and tended to get obliterated by missed piton strikes.

Awesome thank you all for the help.