Mallet

**Therapy** · 19th October 2018, 09:28 PM

I have a mallet given to me by my late Dad - see photos. It was in his workshop for many years and I do not know what its intended purpose is.

The head (made from red gum??) is about 150mm long and the only identifying mark on it is an arrow - see photo No 2. It weighs around 1 kilogram and the head has a couple of iron rods through it for reinforcement.

I recall seeing an identical mallet with an arrow in a used wares places years ago, so I assume they were made in a factory, workshop etc. We used to live in Victoria so I assume it was probably made there.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this type mallet, its use, where it may have been made etc.

Thanks

Therapy

IMG_5344.jpg IMG_5346.jpg IMG_5347.jpg

**Chief Tiff** · 19th October 2018, 09:57 PM

The arrow symbol indicates that it was supplied to the government; and more than likely the military.
As for its purpose, well... to me it’s just a mallet. I have no idea why it would be octagonal in cross section though.

**arose62** · 20th October 2018, 07:08 AM

Well, it's worth at least $45 ��

This one looks the same, but no more info about it :
Old Vintage Wooden Mallet Hammer - French Antiques Melbourne | French Antiques Sydney | Moonee Ponds Antiques

**arose62** · 20th October 2018, 07:39 AM

This one looks very similar:

https://shop.scouts.org.uk/equipment...-wooden-mallet

and I found some discussions about tent peg mallets that recommended either these scout ones, or from rltrim in the UK, who supply them to the defence department.
So, I'm guessing tent peg mallet, and some back story via Scouts or the army.

**IanW** · 20th October 2018, 08:44 AM

Yes, I was going to suggest it looks like it's meant for bashing something like tent pegs. It's of a size that is light enough to swing with one hand while you get the peg started, but heavy enough to apply some serious persuasion when you switch to a two-handed grip to belt it home. I made one about the same size that I use for driving wooden wedges when splitting out turning blanks.

The rivets through the head are an interesting touch. Eucalypts love to split apart along the growth rings, so the rivets are probably to help prevent that. The octaganal shape is probably just a 'trade-mark' of the maker - it doesn't have any particular functional purpose afaik.

As Chief Tiff said, the arrow indicates it was originally Govt property - maybe not military, though, as their stuff was usually marked "D arrow D"...

Cheers,

Thread: Mallet - what was it used for

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Mallet - what was it used for

Similar Threads

That's not a mallet!

Ash mallet

Yet another mallet!

#1 Son's mallet

Posting Permissions