Ball Pein Blank 12 oz. (no eye)
Ball Pein Blank 12 oz. (no eye)
Markings: None
Dimensions: 3-3/8″ x 1-1/8″
Weight: 11.9 oz. – 337 g.
Notes: This is definitely the most unusual find in the bunch. After posting to some online tool boards no one can come to a consensus as to what it actually is. Suggestions that it was a control sample for tool calibration, a demonstration tool, a unfinished “blank” prior to the eye being punched. None of these ideas really fit all of the data and we still don’t know what it is.
A video was posted here: Facebook Post (Closed group)
Jesse McCauley Could it be used as a ballpeen “punch” sans handle?
Brian Paonessa Quite possibly, after a bit of searching, I couldn’t find the right words to find any others or anything similar. — Someone here will know, these guys know everything!
Mike Rouse Very cool
Nathan Jones Very cool. I hope someone has info.
Randy Andreasen Forged but never had the eye punched is my guess
Forrest Betts My guess as well.
Dale Schafer When you Forge a hammer the first step is to slit & drift the eye. Unless they intended to mill it out sans the waist.
Brian Paonessa Dale Schafer This is what I was thinking. …but then what is it?
Chris Gosnell In a factory setting the eye is late in the game however. It comes out as a plug and isn’t drifted to size.
Chris Gosnell Drop forging is different from hand in the steps.
Paul Bryant Could it be one from the factory that did not get finished? I think they drill/forge the hole last. Is the hammer hardened yet.
Brian Paonessa I’m not sure how to test that, without damaging it, any suggestions? I’ve been calling it a “blank” but they wouldn’t have ground the material squeezed out of the die before punching they eye, would they?
Paul Bryant Brian Paonessa that how they do it on a lot of tools. As seen on How its Made.
Benjamin Bouchard Typically the eye is one of the first things done on the head.
Donald Warlich Most likely one unfinished hammerhead that fell off the line. Taken home for a paperweight or for use as knuckles….??
Kelly Scott Anson It is most likely an unfinished hammer. Since the handle hole us not in place, it was not hardened and tempered.
John Ingardia I think it was made in a shop class with a lathe, mill & file.
Jim Knisley Hammer head before handle hole is broached
Jennifer Goin what about something a blacksmith would use? Maybe some handwork in shaping metal.
Jennifer Goin It could also be a “control” piece from a manufacturer to maintain specifications. I worked in quality control for a bit. They constantly calibrate pins, micrometers, etc with control parts.
Eric Easley Sr. Did you find it in San Francisco?
Brian Paonessa Eric Easley Sr. Found in IL, but not sure where it was prior. Why?
David Spalding Looks like a pawn In a chess set.
This tool is part of a refurbishing project that includes 21 hatchets and hammers. If you would like to see the other rusty tools that are part of this project (including some 100 year old hatchets and hammers) they can be found in the post below.
Brian Paonessa
For the last 10 years I have been an Internet marketer and web developer with a passion for large system integration projects. I've spent the last few years working for a small fireworks company (Skylighter llc) helping individuals and government clients with pyrotechnic projects. my day to day tasks focus mostly on web development tasks and keeping the Skylighter email marketing machine pumping out good content and offers.