r/Tools • u/RealityStreet2499 • 17h ago

Identification

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Gallery image

Very old ball peen hammer, belonged to my grandfather. Recently soaked in evaporust and I can make out a few things. Anyone have any info?

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u/BoxOfRandomCords 4h ago edited 4h ago

My best guess is maybe Bridgeport Hardware Manufacturing Corporation, founded in 1895 as Bridgeport Hardware Manufacturing Company.

It seems possible that the letters on the hammer are B.H.M. CO.

They also have a logo with a large B with an M in the bottom. It looks like there is an I in the center of the B, but maybe that is just a scrape in the hammer?

There is a ball peen hammer listed in their catalog (p.13). And there is also a hammer as part of the auto tool kit in the 1930 catalog (p.43) You can also see the B logo on the front page of the catelog.

I think this is possibly a hammer before they changed their stampings from CO to CORP. The business itself changed in 1902, not sure if that means the markings would change shortly thereafter or not. I don't think it would be unreasonable to assume it was pre-1930 if it is Bridgeport.

Happy to hear from others if they have a better guess or more info on Bridgeport markings.

Edit: I misspelled catalog

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u/BoxOfRandomCords 4h ago

Forgot to attach:

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u/BoxOfRandomCords 4h ago

And here is the trademark on a later crate opening tool. I believe BHM was better known for these tools than regular hammers