Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: HeelSpur on April 25, 2015, 03:08:12 PM

Title: #4 bulldog alligator
Post by: HeelSpur on April 25, 2015, 03:08:12 PM
This is the largest one I have come across, do they make them larger?
This is 22" long.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j368/wvabe/001_16.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j368/wvabe/003_12.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j368/wvabe/002_12.jpg)

I like the backwards N.
Title: Re: #4 bulldog alligator
Post by: Bus on April 25, 2015, 03:29:17 PM
They made two larger. a No. 4-1/2 and a No. 5.
Title: Re: #4 bulldog alligator
Post by: HeelSpur on April 25, 2015, 03:49:56 PM
They made two larger. a No. 4-1/2 and a No. 5.
Thanks, do you know the lengths of those?

4 1/2 is 24".
Title: Re: #4 bulldog alligator
Post by: turnnut on April 25, 2015, 08:01:19 PM
in the 1895 Chas. A. Strelinger & Co. reprinted catalog, it list nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, &  5

they write;
the Alligator Wrench is sold very extensively, and is particularly useful in turning pipe
or round iron in narrow spaces.

No.         price      length      holds pipe                   holds round iron
1             $0.25      5"          1/8" - 3/8"                    1/4" - 3/4"
2             $0.70    10"          5/8"  -3/4"                    1/2" - 1"
3             $1.40    16"          1/2" - 1 1/4"                 3/4" - 1 3/8"   
4             $2.10    22"          1 1/4" - 2"                    1 1/2" - 2 1/2"
5             $3.15    27"           2" - 3"                         2 1/4" - 3 1/2"

The Always Ready DE Alligator Wrench
no. 1         5"   45 cents
no.2          7"   65 cents
no.2 1/2    9 1/2"   $1.00
no.3          11 1/2"  $1.40
no.4          5"  40 cents
 (no.4 is the same as no. 1, but is thinner.

thiswas 1895, they might have changed some in size thru the years.     

Title: Re: #4 bulldog alligator
Post by: mvwcnews on April 28, 2015, 06:25:26 PM
The lengths & jaw openings seem to have been standard. A 1942 catalog listing showing ARMSTRONG brand alligator wrenches reprinted on pg. 5 of the Dec. 2002 MVWC Newsletter shows #0 - 6" ; #1 -  7 1/2" ; #2 -  9" ; #2 1/2 -  12" ;  #3 - 15" ; #3 1/2 - 18" ; #4 - 21" ; #4 1/2 - 24" #5 - 27"
A 1917 catalog listing showing W&B "Bull Dog" alligator wrenches (June 2004 MVWC Newsletter, pg. 17)  has No. 2  through No. 5 with the same lengths and capacities, but no "half" sizes.
Title: Re: #4 bulldog alligator
Post by: Plyerman on April 30, 2015, 07:33:35 PM
Is the "N" supposed to be backwards?
Title: Re: #4 bulldog alligator
Post by: Papaw on May 01, 2015, 09:40:48 AM
It happened quite often. No great addition to value.