Hammer Throw World Record Progression : 200 Years

Statistics of the hammer throw are difficult to come by, and most are unreliable. The IAAF only came into being in 1913 as the authority for accepting and compiling official records. Even then it was difficult to authenticate claims submitted since there was less control of measurements and equipment at competitions than there is today. If a record was broken several times during a short period only the last was usually ratified. Here is the most in-depth list I have compiled via books, articles, newspapers, etc. 

Here are three things to keep in mind

1. Some of the earliest throws may have been from a 7 or 9 foot square.
2. Since the inaugural meeting of the IAAF took place August 20-23 1913, records before that date are not "officially" ratified. 
3. The oldest distances given are likely off by centimeters.

World Record Evolution