What Did He Do With His Hammer?

Bonzo Dog

Bonzo Dog

Still the Mad Scientist?
Big sis cleaned the bits off newly cast silverware but can't work out what her brother did with his hammer in Birmingham 1891.

freeman 1891.png
 
AnnB said:
I think it says Hammer Driver.
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That sounds logical Ann. His grandfather was a blacksmith, many of whose extended family lived near to what became the Metropolitan-Cammel works and had railway related occupations. He may possibly have operated a steam hammer.

Half Hour said:
I see the word "white" for the person below below and "Smith " above hammer. do you think he was some type of tin or silversmith?
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I'm not sure if the "White" refers to the lower line or both. My great grandfather specialised in making scratch brushes for whitesmiths during the same period and I wonder if the young lady used brushes made by him.
 
Olivers%20shop_zpsnniljg6a.jpg


My photo inside the oliver's shop at Dudley.
There were three oliversmiths still working here in 1979.
 
Bit of further reading.

bclm.co.uk/locations/lenchs-oliver-shop/12.htm#.WKMrOfmLS00

I'd never heard of oliversmiths until a month or so ago when I received a crash course. :) The fact that it's in the right area - ie Midlands, and a hammer is mentioned, makes me still strongly suspect the word is oliver.
 
I'd definitely say the two occupations are:

16 year old Male(?) Hammer Oliver (and that was classifed as a type of 'Smith')
21 year old Female (?) Scratch Brusher (in the 'White' trade/s) so presumably this 21 year old was a polisher or finisher of metal goods - very possibly tin.

No way of knowing if they (and other members of the family?) were working together in a small domestic workshop is there? Maybe not in Birmingham as late as 1891.

I have family in Staffs. clearly all working together at home as nailers, but that was in the mid-C19th
 
Bonzo Dog said:
Wonder if there are any Saggar Maker's Bottom Knockers to be had. :cool:
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Oh do let us know if you find one of those! It's got to be the best job description ever. I remember learning of that job donkeys years ago and, as children do, repeating it over and over again so entranced was I by the rhythm and sound of those words!
 
wendymac said:
An Oliver Hammer is a Treadle- operated hammer used for forging iron bolts.
As Bay horse mentioned they were used by a type of Blacksmith but because it was for Iron work they were known as Hammersmiths - hence, the Smith entered above the word a Hammer :)
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Thomas Oliver was an engineer who invented the first machine for forging bolts. A treadle operated hammer which was called an Oliver hammer or English Oliver........wiki. Thank you wendymac.
 
Thanks Wendy. You learn something new everyday.:) I don't know if I will use that knowledge again but its good to have, stored away in the deep dark recesses. If there's any more room in there. :sceptical: We may get asked again, you never know.
 
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