Sold March 2004 Back to Archive

One of the rarer Stuart models, this steam hammer was built around thirty years ago. Paintwork is rather tired now but it still strikes a mighty blow - I would endorse the Stuart Turner warning about getting fingers in the way! It will run on any of the Stuart boilers, down to the small 501.

By coincidence I've just finished reading James Nasmyth's autobiography, he who invented the steam hammer. In describing his search as a young man for a place in the country to establish his engineering works, his preference was for Lancashire where "I had seen striking evidence of the natural aptitude of Lancashire workmen for every sort of mechanical employment... They were men of greater character, they struck harder on the anvil". I think the notion of striking harder on the anvil is an admirable aim in life!

(PS: the Nasmyth book is a cracking good read. There is a edited short version, but the original, although rambling in places, is excellent. Friend Frank lent me a valuable first edition which I read, however the entire text is now out of copyright and has been web-published at http://www.bootlegbooks.com/NonFiction/Nasmyth/Autobiography/Default.htm)

Bore 1 inch
Height 11 inches
Base 9 x 5 inches