The history of hammers dates back to the 4th century, from which archaeologists have found evidence of men using crudely made hammers as a tool. Hammers were later made by blacksmiths, who put their own mark on some pieces, and eventually hammers were made by machine. Knowing the age and history of the tool helps you collect hammers.
Instructions
1. Join a collectors club specifically made for antique tool collectors, such as Early American Industries Association, Collectors of Rare and Familiar Tools Society or the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association. After paying the annual membership fee, you'll have access to the resources of the organization, including meets, shows and auctions only open to members.
2. Decide on the era or time frame you want to collect hammers from. Collectors typically base their collection on a specific type of frames created during a certain point in time. Some focus on early hammers created by blacksmiths working during the 19th century, while others prefer machine made hammers from the early 20th century.
3. Look for identifying marks on the hammer or any signs of the manufacturer. Blacksmiths usually marked pieces created in their shop, with either a symbol unique to their shop or by placing their name on the piece. You can also find names or a logo placed on the handle of the hammer, especially with wood handles.
4. Determine the type of tools you want to collect by focusing on a specific material. Most collectors are very particular about the hammers that they collect, only looking for a specific kind. Some focus on steel hammers with wood handles, while others prefer iron hammers. You'll also find hammers made with stainless steel and some older examples made from local rock or stone.
5. Attend antique tool shows and swap meets. These are the best places to find antique and vintage hammers to add to your collection. You also have the chance to meet other hammer collectors, find different antique tools and discover what kind of prices hammers are bringing on the secondary market.
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