Tool - Caulking mallet, Mid 19th to early 20th centuries

Historical information

The subject item is a vintage Nautical Shipwrights Ship Boat Caulking Hammer Mallet, Unusual Small Size. These mallets were routinely used in the 1800s when ships were made of wood. This mallet was used with caulking irons to drive the oakum (caulk) between the ship's bottom planking to seal them up. The mallet has slots to dampen the vibration of the mallet blows on the user's elbows. The head is made of a very hard wood, possibly Lignum Vitae or another dark tropical wood. The item seems to be of a very early design with the two preened-over metal rods for reinforcing the head.

Significance

Item appears to be of early manufacture by an unknown maker from the mid to late 19th century and is significant as tools of this era are quite rare. This tool is also significant as it gives an insight into how ships made of wooden planks were made sea-worthy by inserting caulking material between the boards thereby making the vessel watertight.

Physical description

Caulking Mallet Wooden with iron ferrules on each end. Wooden head with two large bolts passing through body. Stamped W Milne. James S Steele tool box.

Inscriptions & markings

Stamped W Milne & James S Steele tool box.

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