Vetcraft hammer, gavol, nut craker(?)

Heather,

What are the dimensions. This might help in identifying. I suspect it is a nut cracker.

Is it signed Vetcraft?

Hi Fred,
The little hammer, or whatever this is, the handle measures 4 1/2" in length. From one side to the other, the hammer head is 1" and 3/4" across the flat ends of the hammer. For its size, its got some weight to it. I can see nothing that states that it is vetcraft but I do remember, as a young girl, it having a tag on it, same shape as the vetcraft symbol I found on the milkwagon. At one time it was located on the end of the little hammer head but very worn, as I recall. The tag has since disappeared off the little hammer. I checked with my Mother, (it was her father's) who told me flat out it was vetcraft. I asked her how she knew this and she said her father, as a WWI vet, supported vetcraft every chance he got. What exactly that means, I don't know. My mother isn't well at all so all we ever get now are little snippets of memories from her.
Hope that helps.
Heather

Here is another picture of the little hammer or nut craker.

Heather,

I am sure it is a nut cracker and it probably came with nut picks. It would be great to find a Vetcraft Catalog if they ever made one.

Thanks for posting the last image.

Sorry have not been back for a while. To the best of my mothers recollection the Hamilton shop only did wood work. They specialized in wooden toys, doll furniture and full scale furniture. I don't have any other records other than from my parents. I would imagine a search of the Hamilton Spectator archives would have more specific information. I'll have to check with my parents to get more details as to possible dates and locations.
-- Robert __

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecat:
Robert,

Wow, it's great to see some new info on Vetcraft. Are you saying that the Hamilton shop only worked in wood, and not copper? This might help explain a bit about the shopmarks. My theory is that the mark without any text might be Hamilton instead of Toronto, but if there is confirmation that Hamilton was only wood work then my theory is shot down. Do you have dates for the moves from one location to another? Any idea how many workers? Is your info just passed down through the family or do you know of any other records that might exist? More information just leads to more questions!! Information addiction!! Thanks.

Robert, Great to hear from you and your mother's recall of the shop. It is so important to document whatever we can for posterity. These websites have been a great place to gather this information.