Tool Talk
Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Lewill2 on October 28, 2015, 05:38:23 PM
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I ventured out in the rain today to a Collectables Store that I've never stopped at before. AKA junk shop. Lots of tools of all types but in a bin of run of the mill old style adjustable wrenches Coes, Bemis Call etc I spied this 12 inch Coes Automobile wrench that per Herb Page's book was only made between 1909 and 1918 and he valued it at $150 in 2005. I had to pay a whole $5 for it. I cleaned it a little and I'll find a home for it in my collection.
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Yesterday I would have said that the term Coe's Automobile Wrench was a contradiction in terms.
But that was yesterday.
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Super find, Les!
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BTW, it is odd to see the adjustment wheel on the movable jaw. Seems that it would be less convenient. Did any other manufacturers put it there?
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my favorite place...junk shop :grin:
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Nice find, I think that's the first one like that I've ever seen.
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Lewill2, I have one also that I did not pay too much attention to until I saw what Herb Page gave for a value,
now I keep it in another place.
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Attached photo is the COES AUTO 12 inch & 6 inch (both have the COES AUTO in a wheel trade mark) and a copy of a period ad -- part of Dan Gaier's display at the fall meet.
I have both & mine are also both stamped DORRIS (an early St. Louis automobile brand. )
The 6 inch COES AUTO is a lighter slimmer version of the 6 inch COES steel handle wrench; the difference is clear when both are side by side.
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The big ones were supposedly only made in 12 inch size but about 2 maybe 3 years ago there was one on eBay that was 16 inches long. I was out bid, it sold for just under $200. It looked to be slightly bigger in the jaw areas than the 12 inch ones. Not sure if it was a real one or a fantasy piece.
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I located mine today. it is also 12" on the upper jaw; "COE'S WRENCH CO. Worcester, MASS. USA
on the oposite side of the upper jaw; AUTO COE'S inside the wheel.
so far, have not seen any other markings on it.
I will have to start checking my other wrenches after seeing the 6" that Stan put up. with the adjusting nut
in a differant location, I may have missed one.
being only about 36 miles from Worcester, ya never know whats out there.
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BTW, it is odd to see the adjustment wheel on the movable jaw. Seems that it would be less convenient. Did any other manufacturers put it there?
Here is one I just posted on another thread.Marked,"A G&J Product" inside a diamond. As you can see it is a bit smaller.