HAMMER BRAND stamps

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Joe Dirt
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HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by Joe Dirt »

HAMMER BRAND stamp photos with dates.
Previously published with hand drawn images.
Pictures include an undocumented Imperial HAMMER BRAND stamp.

NOTE the differences in the 3 finger and 4 finger grip on the hammer handle.
I personally use a 3 finger grip.
Attachments
Hand drawn images published in Knife World magazine
Hand drawn images published in Knife World magazine
Trade mark used by New York Knife Co. Walden, NY from 1878 - 1932
Trade mark used by New York Knife Co. Walden, NY from 1878 - 1932
First Imperial Knife Company stamp used in 1936 -1937
First Imperial Knife Company stamp used in 1936 -1937
Second Imperial Knife Company stamp used from 1938 through 1941 (pre-war stamp)
Second Imperial Knife Company stamp used from 1938 through 1941 (pre-war stamp)
Third Imperial Knife Company stamp used from 1945 through 1955 (post war stamp)
Third Imperial Knife Company stamp used from 1945 through 1955 (post war stamp)
Undocumented Imperial Knife Company stamp. Possibly post 1955
Undocumented Imperial Knife Company stamp. Possibly post 1955
Taylor LLC import from China (2010)
Taylor LLC import from China (2010)
Taylor LLC Import Hammer Brand.jpg (12.99 KiB) Viewed 40238 times
This is a USA stamp found on trappers and stockmans made in New York. NEW YORK KNIFE CO USA is found on one of the secondary blades.
This is a USA stamp found on trappers and stockmans made in New York. NEW YORK KNIFE CO USA is found on one of the secondary blades.
I've got a camouflage knife, but I can't find it.......

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Miller Bro's
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by Miller Bro's »

Joe,

Thanks for posting the pictures ::tu::

It is very useful to see the actual tang stamp ::nod::
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by orvet »

Excellent study in Hammer Brand tang stamps Joe! ::tu::

Thank you!
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by Cope »

Joe does this chart cover ALL Imperial and Hammer brand knives? I'm going to make a copy to save.
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by singin46 »

Thanks Joe, very useful since I'm getting a few Hammer stamps now. This one appears to be post 1955 as well.
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by Joe Dirt »

Cope, I focused only on the HAMMER BRAND stamps. The NYKC stamp is taken from only one
sample. I will need to compare a few more examples to see if there was any differences over the years.
(Any/All Help is Encouraged and Welcomed!)

I know Imperial used other stamps in addition to the ones published.
Some as generic as "U.S.A.", while others left the factory with no stamp at all.

I have just discovered the stamp with the 4 finger grip caped by the thumb w/U S A.
The documented '45 - '55 stamp has a three finger grip caped with the fore finger and thumb w/USA.
This stamp needs further research before an actual date can be associated with it.

Singin46, your knife does appear (though I can't clearly see 4 fingers) to have the "newly discovered" stamp!
Please confirm this, as it is only the second one I have ever seen, if so.

If anyone has a 4 finger/USA stamped Hammer Brand, PLEASE post it!

I will start another topic on why I believe it is post '55.

Thanks folks,

......... Joe
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by singin46 »

Yes Joe, it is certainly a 4 finger stamp, can't wait to hear why you are of the opinion it is post 55'. I can't seem to get a decent shot of the stamp to post but thru the loop I just looked again and saw all 4 fingers gripping the handle. Very clear thru the loop!
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by singin46 »

Is this any better Joe? After 10 or 15 tries, this is what I came up with.
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by singin46 »

gonna try this once more Joe. Sorry bout the BIG pic but it frustrated me bad! I count 4 fingers.
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by orvet »

PhotoShop! :mrgreen:
Nice hi-res pics though!
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perry 1.jpg
perry 1.jpg (45.69 KiB) Viewed 40281 times
Perry 2.jpg
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by orvet »

I am no expert on Imperial tang stamps but here is the info I have in my files.
The first 3 charts are from an old Knife World article. I believe LT posted them several years ago.
The 4th chart was posted here or in another knife forum.

I am not sure of the accuracy of either any of them, but it dies give you an idea of some of the markings used.

Note that #8 is noted as being the same as the NYK Hammer Brand stamp.
How is that for throwing a monkey wrench into the gears? ::shrug::


Dale
Attachments
Imperial tang markings 1.jpg
Imperial tang markings 1.jpg (38.94 KiB) Viewed 40280 times
Imperial tang markings 2.jpg
Imperial tang markings 2.jpg (43.23 KiB) Viewed 40280 times
Imperial tang markings 3.jpg
Imperial tang markings 3.jpg (36.36 KiB) Viewed 40280 times
Imperial Tang Stamps 4.jpg
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by singin46 »

Yes, I have all these on my desktop Dale and thx for the help on the photoshop. ::tu::
Is this one really rare? ::shrug:: With both stamps?
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by orvet »

LOL @ Perry. ::tu:: Jus' teasin' :wink:

I don't think that is rare.
It seems to me that I have seen the two stamps on a number of Imperial shell handles.
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by singin46 »

That's what I thought too. Just creative embellishment for selling purposes. Not about to bid on it. I don't want these things to start going for $30 bucks all the sudden! ::td:: I knew you were kiddin Dale, we're buddies! :mrgreen:
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by Joe Dirt »

Here's another one for the stamp collection.

Again, ANY and ALL help is welcome and encouraged with these stamps.
Your observations and feedback are a tremendous help ::tu::

This stamp has the post war ('45 -'55) arm & hammer image. However the "USA" is stamped sideways.
The stamp on the pen blade also differs from the usual patten stamps.

Is it possible that this is a "prototype" stamp used after USA was added to the stamp following WWII?

Maybe a first production run before a decision was made to use the vertical USA stamping?

What do you think?

...... Joe
Attachments
USA is stamped sideways compared to the documented '45-'55 stamp with the vertical USA.
USA is stamped sideways compared to the documented '45-'55 stamp with the vertical USA.
Pen blade OTHER PATS PEND stamp 001.JPG
I've got a camouflage knife, but I can't find it.......

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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by Joe Dirt »

These two stamps are found on the solid constructed, pined-on scale knives.

...... Joe
Attachments
Solid celluloid pinned scales.
Solid celluloid pinned scales.
Solid celluloid pinned scales.
Solid celluloid pinned scales.
I've got a camouflage knife, but I can't find it.......

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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by singin46 »

Hey Joe, on the first knife, why do you suppose they have "other pat. pending" on the stamp?
That confuses me a little. I would think the patents would have long since been approved by then? Am I missin somethin?
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by orvet »

Those both appear to be Imperial Hammer Brand stamps.
LT posted once that all the Hammer Brand tang stamps with USA on them are Imperial knives.
NYK Hammer Brand didn't use the USA.

Joe,
can you post pics of the knives those stamps came from?

Thanks,
Dale
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by Joe Dirt »

The "brown jigged" stockman has the "wide forearm" stamp as seen in the first picture above.

The "yellow textured" jack has the "small hand" stamp as seen in the second picture above.

Noted differences between the two knives are that the "brown jigged" knife has what appears
to be a spun rocker pin, while the "yellow textured" knife clearly has a peened rocker pin that
can be seen at the chip in the scale.

Both knives have steel liners and brass pins.

..... Joe
Attachments
Wide forearm stamp.
Wide forearm stamp.
Small hand stamp similar to the '36-'37 stamp.
Small hand stamp similar to the '36-'37 stamp.
Solid constructed celluloid scale Imperial Hammer Brands.
Solid constructed celluloid scale Imperial Hammer Brands.
I've got a camouflage knife, but I can't find it.......

..... cardboard addicted.....

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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by whitebuffalo58 »

Thought I'd add this stamp for posterity. I don't think it's been documented in the past. It's on a solid construction knife I repaired awhile back. I'm thinking it may have been a transition stamp, but not sure.
SANY0001-001.JPG
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by orvet »

Here is another Hammer Brand I got a couple weeks ago.
It is difficult to see all the stamp with the knife assembled, but I am not going to tear it apart just to get a better pic of the tang stamp!
Hammer Brand Barlow stamp.jpg
The knife is a nice Barlow and not a shell handle.
I don't know if this is an NYK Barlow or not. Does anyone have a NYK Barlow we can compare it too?
Hammer Brand Barlow a.jpg
Hammer Brand Barlow b.jpg
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by deltaboy »

I got a Hammer Brand 1938-41 Cracked Ice looking shell. It seems to have spent the past 70 years in a desk drawer unused it hard a factory edge and was very tight. After 10 minutes with Rem Oil it was Walking and Talking with pride. ::tu::
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by gsmith7158 »

Deltaboy thank you for reviving this thread. I had not seen it before. I had to run and pull out my Hammer brands when I saw all this info. Post some pics of your knife if you get a chance and I will do likewise.
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by Dinadan »

This is a good thread to revive. Good info here. Hammer Brand, like so many others, has been brought back from the dead. Sigh. Here is a current production tang stamp, made in China.
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Hammer_Brand.jpg
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Re: HAMMER BRAND stamps

Post by gsmith7158 »

Here are the two I have. The first is a scout knife that I assume is an Imperial. The Hammer brand stamp is the only thing on it. The second is a New York Knife Co. Timber scribe.
Attachments
20160624_204121.jpg
20160624_204040.jpg
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