Toyota Hammer - Part 2
Additional pictures and details of Maruki and OH hammers. Here's a group picture featuring hammers from the beginning through today.
From the top:
- Maruki from the early (23mm, 2-piece, lug wrench) large tool roll
- Three OH hammers, included in the later (21mm, 1-piece, lug wrench) large tool roll
- Early OH - marked 450G and 1, used (OH-a)
- Later OH - marked 1 only, used (OH-b)
- Early OH – marked 450G and 1, unused (OH-c)
- TOYOTA marked OH hammer, service tool, available today
- OH hammer, stainless steel, available today (OH-s)
Top Row: OH later used, OH early used, MARUKI
Bottom Row: OH early unused, TOYOTA, OH Stainless
Top Row: OH later used, OH early used, MARUKI
Bottom Row: OH early unused, TOYOTA, OH Stainless
Maruki Hammers
The early large tool rolls included a Maruki hammer. The hammer is marked with the Maruki logo and MARUKI on one side of the head, and #1 inside a rectangle on the other. The Maruki logo is a circle, bisected by 1 vertical line, and crossed by 2 horizontal lines. The #1 indicates a 1 pound hammer.
The Maruki hammer pictured has been used. The markings on the head, especially the logo side are worn, but still visible. The handle appears to be original, and is identical to other Maruki hammer handles.
In comparison to the OH hammers, the Maruki handle is longer, and the head somewhat shorter. The Maruki head is slightly tapered, while the OH head is not. The Maruki peen is round; the OH peen is elongated.
OH Hammers
Later rolls had the OH hammer, One Hand is the brand. The logo, an O overlaid with an H is on one side of the head, with JAPAN below in small letters. The other side is marked 450G with 1 below, or just 1, indicating 450 grams or 1 pound. Both the JAPAN and 1 marks can be very faint and difficult to see. It appears the 450G marking was removed around 1969. The JAPAN mark was removed later, and does not appear on current OH hammers.
Three OH tool roll hammers are pictured above. Two are lightly used, the other is from a tool roll that was never used and packed away with most of the tools still wrapped in plastic.
Two contemporary OH hammers are pictured. One is the Toyota service tool, the other a stainless steel OH hammer. In comparison to the earlier OH hammers, the diameter of the head is larger and the striking edge of the head is beveled. Both the OH and 1 marks are much more distinct on the newer hammers, even when compared to unused tool roll hammer (OH-c).
Very early OH hammers have a noticeably larger logo, and the head (except for the ball peen and poll) is painted black. These hammers are found in early (1963-65) Large Tool Rolls 21mm.
Some OH hammers are also marked on the handle, TRADE OH-logo MARK. I have only seen these as individual tools, not as part of a Toyota tool kit.
Refurbishing Hammers
Tool roll hammers may have condition issues even if they were not subject to heavy use. Especially if stored in damp tool rolls, rusty heads and damaged/grimy handles are not uncommon. With a little effort, they do clean up nicely. Remove rust with a hand brush and polish with Simichrome or similar polish. Fine steel wool and a light touch will remove layers of accumulated grime from the handle. Polish with Renaissance Wax or similar to help protect the wood.
Maruki Hammer - logo and MARUKI
#1 inside a rectangle
OH-a Hammer – marked 450G and 1
OH logo and JAPAN
OH-b Hammer – marked 1 only
OH logo and JAPAN
OH large logo
View attachment 1174050
OH large and standard logos
View attachment 1174052
OH marked handle
View attachment 1174053
View attachment 1174054
TOYOTA HAMMER SUMMARY
Summarizing the characteristics of large tool roll and contemporary hammers.
View attachment 902570