The spiking moll's I have had in my hand , I have friend
who own a track build/repair business, come in a variety
of shapes.  But the most common trait, the long head
and rather delicate shaft, as compared to a regular sledge.
Some have something that will have a spike on one side and
the hammer head on the other side.  I this is referred to
as a one man moll.  It allows the user to start the hole for
the spike.  None , I think , are used to pull spikes.
The handle is small because of the fact that it is will hit 
only the spike, rail or the tie.  Not much abuse from
another direction.
But if memory , HA I have kids!, serves me there are
several different shapes and sizes.

-----Original Message-----
From:	James Foster [SMTP:jaf@M...]
Sent:	Wednesday, April 29, 1998 1:01 PM
To:	bpatton@a...
Cc:	'eugene@n...'; oldtools@l...
Subject:	Re: If I Had a Hammer

I bought a three tools at auction that were from
a railroad (a shovel, pick, and hammer, all stamped
with railroad IDs). I had 
assumed that the hammer was a spike hammer. It 
looked like a mid weight sledge with relatively
small faces, though they're longer (from eye to
face) than other sledge hammers I have. Both
faces are the same. I _think_ they were octagonal
but don't really remember. 

So is what I have a spike hammer, or just a general
purpose tool? 

As to the original question, could this be a 
blacksmiths hammer of some sort? 

Billy Patton wrote:
> 
> Could it be a spiking moll, ala railroad?
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   eugene@n... [SMTP:eugene@n...]
> Sent:   Tuesday, April 28, 1998 11:30 PM
> To:     oldtools@l...
> Subject:        If I Had a Hammer
> 
> Well, I do.  It's old.  It was my grandfather's.
> I don't know what it's intended for.  It's 2 lb., with a head that
> looks rectangular from the side, about 1 1/2" by 5".
> from the top it looks more like a wedge.  One end is pointed, but not
> sharp, the other is somewhat rounded.
>