Riggers Hatchet

David Martin

David Martin

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I have a standard riggers hatchet. It has a 2 1/4" cutting face (mostly straight) with waffled hammer head, 6 1/4" long. Top straight & bottom at eye has the belly. With a nail puller notch. It is stamped in a oval:
McVoy-Wessling HDW CO.. Any of you hatchet experts have knowledge of a date or time frame these were made. Thank you. DM
 
DM, I have nothing concrete, but that pattern bears a strong resemblance to some on Ebay. All seem to have the stamp on the left cheek bearing some or other name, probably of a hardware store (such as McVoy-Wessling, Chicago Illinois). Also more than a passing resemblance to Plumb rigger's hatchets of the period, and around that time they are reported to have made handtools with different retailers names as well as some hardware stores. Nothing but a guess, but is probably of good quality and likely of low resale value due to the uncertain lineage. I'd use it!

Like many other major axe and striking tool manufacturers Plumb also provided goods with labels and etchings representing wholesalers. Many of the etched hatchets and axes were sold through major hardware wholesalers but a significant number of the Plumb made tools were not marked as such. They bore only the mark of the distributor.
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I've gotten some info back on a search of the McVoy-Wessling hardware co, dates from 1908-1910. Not much more than that. In Chicago records one could narrow down exactly when the company was active. Best of luck narrowing it down further, that's a project in itself - maybe if Antiques Roadshow comes through your area...

Martin
 
Maybe. I don't know how much longer they procured hatchets for distribution at hardware stores. Mine has another name stamped on it lightly and I used magnification toward reading it but can't make it out. I suspect this hatchet is a 50-60's mfg.. But have little to go on. Thanks, DM
 
I searched and found my photo of my hatchet. Hope this helps to jog someone's memory. DM
 
It was used for lath and plaster walls before drywall(sheetrock). The blade was used to cut the lath(thin strips of wood). Old traditions die hard thats why dry wall hammers are really dry wall hatchets today, still has a blade and not much you can do with it.

I have used flour to read hard to make out stamps. It works some times.
 
garry3 said:
It was used for lath and plaster walls before drywall(sheetrock). The blade was used to cut the lath(thin strips of wood). Old traditions die hard thats why dry wall hammers are really dry wall hatchets today, still has a blade and not much you can do with it.

I have used flour to read hard to make out stamps. It works some times.
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Flour or rub it hard with a piece of chalk.
 
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