I will try to add other tools in this category as I find photos of them, but I will start with Caulking Mallets as I have one in my collection….
Caulking Mallets
These were introduced to aid in the use of the Caulking Irons that themselves were used to insert the caulk material that waterproofed the sections of wood that were used to make a boat, at that time. Up till that time we can only surmise that a large hammer/maul was used that would have deformed the head of the Caulking Iron. It was probably less expensive to buy Caulking Mallets of Lignum Vitae than destroy sets of steel Caulking irons?
The first mention that I can find of this tool comes in the 1888 Cat. as Item# 295A Round Head Lignum Vitae Caulking Mallet.and #296 ‘London Pattern Lignum Vitae Caulking Mallet’ but with no pictures! At this time I cannot describe the differences between these two.
In 1897 it is listed as the same; #296 and #295A.
1909 sees another number change to #4016 and described as ‘London Pattern Lignum Vitae Caulking Mallets’ and this is echoed in 1921.
In 1928 the number has changed slightly to #4016B because the London Pattern Mallet made of Beech is added to the system, but 4016 remains the same.
In 1938 both Lignum Vitae [#4016] and Beech [#4016B] woods are still listed.
In 1959 only the Lignum Vitae 4016 is shown and the tool was discontinued in December 1963.
