hammer / crank driver multitool ??

[Plyerman]

Never seen one of these before, but I've been fiddling with it constantly since it arrived the other week. I'm hoping you fellows might know a thing or two about where it came from?


Assembled, it is a small tack hammer, with a knurled handle and a chrome plated finish. But what about that crank and gear gizmo on the side? More about that in a moment...






First off, unscrew the hammer head. Then, remove the cap on the end of the handle and dump out the bits:






Next, take one of the bits and insert it into the end of the handle.






You will need to pull outwards on the little spring-knob in order to install the bit. The spring-knob pin can either engage the hole in the bit, in which case the tool becomes a standard fixed bit screwdriver, or you can push the bit in further until the spring-pin engages the slot.






Now loosen up the thumb screw on the crank, which frees it up for action:






And Wala!, you have a hand-operated power screwdriver:




Which, truth be told, doesn't really operate all that smoothly. But it's pretty cool, and I'd like to know more about it's origins. There are a few clues, like the chrome plating and the fact that there is no phillips screwdriver bit in the kit, which suggests to me it was made in the 1950's or 1960's. But unfortunately there are no stampings or logo marks on it, so I have no idea who made it or where it came from.

Needless to say any additional info would be appreciated.

[Lostmind]

No additional , info , but that is neat! it would have come home with me .

[wvtools]

Look on the hammer head to see if there is a lightly stamped Germany.   I have had a few like that one (minus the drill) that were made there.

[Papaw]

That is damn cool!
The lack of a Phillips could mean it has been lost. I believe the Phillips screw design began in about 1928, so the tool could have been from just a bit after that.

[johnsironsanctuary]

It looks like it has had little use. Maybe a little run in time and it will smooth out. Very Cool!

[Billman49]

I have seen these in the UK without the crank assembly, and not with a 'Yankee' type fixing for the blades. I had always assumed they were German. I guess the crank is more useful for use with Yankee drill bits than the scedriver...

[Batz]

I can see why it's in such fine condition, it's just way to nice to use.
That is something I would like to own, very cool.

Batz

[Branson]

Super gizmoid piece.  Thanks for the pictures!  Hopefully, somebody will have some more information on the piece.

[john k]

Didn't James Bond have one of these in his tool kit?   I suppose it would drill holes in soft wood.   Would I have bought it?  Sure!

[johnsironsanctuary]

John, if Q had designed it, first, it would work well. Second it would be 1/3 the size and third, the tool would be a rotary ammo magazine. The drill function would be a disguise.

[Plyerman]

Funny John!

Look on the hammer head to see if there is a lightly stamped Germany.   I have had a few like that one (minus the drill) that were made there.

By golly it IS stamped Germany on the underside of the head! Thanks wv! Don't know how I missed seeing that before.

So question: because it is only stamped "Germany" (and not West Germany) does that mean it was made before WWII?

[BruceS]

John, if Q had designed it, first, it would work well. Second it would be 1/3 the size and third, the tool would be a rotary ammo magazine. The drill function would be a disguise.

I think it was pre Bond,  More likely Maxwell Smart Agent 86

[geneg]

There is a company, Hoffritz, that made similar tools some marked Germany &  some New York.  I have some, but none with a crank.     The crank is a great addition. They also make/made the typical Swiss Army knives.

[bird]

bad ass!!!!!!!!  good job on the pics, too
cheers,
bird.

[oldtools]

Awesome Tool..