I know I've seen them but can't recollect the name.

May be some type of adze.

Looks like an old bead breaking wedge/hammer for tires.

I was wondering if a piece broke off, it kind of looks chewed up on the non hammer side.

Spike adze??

This is certainly different, probably only it's maker knew what it was for! Looks to me like it was forged from a double faced sledge. I think that some kind of adze could be close to the mark, but I can't yet conceive what for?   On the bay it would be called a "blacksmith's hammer", but I'm sure it's not a blacksmith tool, at least I've seen nothing like it (yet)!?.  Thanks HeelSpur for challenging us.
Graeme

PS When I first saw the side view, I thought of that forester's tool called a pickeroon? That's not how it is spelt but was that what you were thinking of HeelSpur?
G

Not that I know what it is, but it would be a pretty poor adze.  Adze blades flare out to the edge (or at least don't taper in) so they don't get stuck in when you use them.  I'd say that end was designed for prying.

I was thinking I remember seeing one of these in making log cabins, but I could be wrong.

Used-to-be adze hammer. Now the blade has been ground, and badly.
At least that's what it looks like to me. 

Adze hammers are pretty scarce, but they are around.
Timber construction has more use for an adze to trim wood as you go, than pulling nails, which are few if any.
     yours Scott

It is a journal box hammer; used on railroad journal boxes.  You can find them in Baird & Comerford.  Most of the ones that I have had have a more heavier weight peen end.

John is correct.  I had one that was in better shape.  Sold it before I found out what is was.

Mike

Does anyone on here know anything about railroad journal boxes and how they were used?

Are you talking about the box for lubricant, above the bearings on RR car axles?   Early RR cars used plain bearings, then later went to roller bearings,  which required constant lubing.   Was the job of the car men to fill these on stops,  with a heavy oil.  Had a flip up iron lid.

Here is a photo of an old Arch Bar Style RR truck.  The trainman would use the hooked end to flip the cover up and hammer in more oakum packing.  Then the packing was soaked in oil.  The hook end was probably useful when there was an overheated bearing or 'hot box'. I'm guessing the hook was used to pull the smoking or burning oakum out.

Thanks for the info.

JMH