Dogleg hammers

[Sabre223]

In my quests over the last few years I've had the opportunity to have a few carbines in my hands. I've passed a few on to (what I call) upgrade my collection. Two different hammers have been discovered with the exact same grind in the hammers. It is apparent the grind was not pre, but post finish stage.

Any ideas why? These hammers were both in the carbines when I received them, and each carbine came from locations hundreds if not a thousand miles away (not like one guy was intentionally doing this). My guess is that it was a fix to some type of issue. Enjoy the pics.







Under X power. The grind is almost identical.

Information

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[imarangemaster]

Dog leg hammers were the original design. They were phased out mid-War to the more common straight hammers. You are lucky to have them. Even early carbines have had them replaced by depots during and after the war. Looks like you have early safety to go with it. Give more info and pics and the real experts here can tell you more.

[RCS]

I checked two that I have and could not find that grind along the edge that yours have, mine are a different manufacture.Attachment 18357Attachment 18358Attachment 18359

[kar66]

I have never seen anything like that before and I've handled a lot of carbines. I can't even guess why that would have been done. A depot armorer would have just replaced it with a later style hammer. I know some carbines were ordanced converted to full auto before the M2 parts were available. But I don't think that is what this was done for. I hope somebody else has a better idea. Bill

[Sabre223]

With all the knowledge here, no one else has any other thoughts?

[CrossedCannons]

It might have been done to "impove" the locking function of the bolt when hit by the hammer. The grind might make it easier for the hammer to "fit" into the bolt, helping to "twist" the bolt counterclockwise, i.e. locking it, before the firing pin gets hit. Maybe help prevent out of battery fire under field-improvised full auto?

Just my wild-*** guess though.