Artillery Tow Hammer?

[GF97]

I am posting this one for a friend of mine. He never could figure out what this is but it seems to resemble some of the tow hammers I have seen. Any input on this piece?

 

[drezac]

Looks like one to me. Ord. Manual description fits. should be 13" long per the manual ( but I would not be surprised if there were some variations)

 

[GF97]

Looks like one to me. Ord. Manual description fits. should be 13" long per the manual ( but I would not be surprised if there were some variations)

I will have him measure the length but that seems reasonable. Are these pretty common or was that a lucky find for $2?

 

[redbob]

It looks good to me.

 

[Rhea Cole]

What you have is called a "tow hook" or "artillery hammer." In the artillery ammunition chests tow ( hemp fiber ) was firmly tapped down between the rounds. This prevented them from rattling around during transit. The tow hook was used to reach down & loosen the packing material so the rounds could be lifted out easily. The hammer was used to tighten up the bands on fixed rounds. If "double canister" was called, the claw was used remove the nails securing the powder bag to the sabot at the base of the round.

The prices I found online were surprisingly high. Good find.


From Amy of Tennessee Relics:

​

ART 12. Dug CS/US Artillery Tow Hook.​

Scarce artillerist's implement made of round iron with a hammer on one end and a hook on the other. It was used for unpacking ammunition boxes and for tightening and repairing the sabot straps on fixed-ammunition projectiles. Provenance uncertain.

$225.00​

 

[Salterr]

I will have him measure the length but that seems reasonable. Are these pretty common or was that a lucky find for $2?

That was a very nice find for $2

 

[Rhea Cole]

That was a very nice find for $2

Gotta say that the price gobbstopped me.

 

[Salterr]

Gotta say that the price gobbstopped me.

Definitely had to read it twice. He needs to send some luck our way!

 

[GF97]

Well I take that as a good consensus.... I wasn't going to share this but I think it's too funny. He was using it for romex tacks until I told him what it was. I'm going to try to add it to my collection if he wishes to part with it. Thanks for the input and the vote of confidence on a successful purchase!

 

[Salterr]

Well I take that as a good consensus.... I wasn't going to share this but I think it's too funny. He was using it for romex tacks until I told him what it was. I'm going to try to add it to my collection if he wishes to part with it. Thanks for the input and the vote of confidence on a successful purchase!

Stuff like that happens a lot! I've heard many times that people were using artillery shells as door stops

 

[GF97]

It measures about 13 3/4". I haven't seen one quite like this one, specifically the head and the large US stamp. Were there different variants for different artillery or just slight variations in design from manufacturer to manufacturer?

 

[Dan Kohli]

The variations were more based on who made it, rather than the type of artillery piece it was meant for.

 

[GF97]

Thanks guys! It's pretty neat. Now if only he could find the cannon with that luck.....