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Author Topic: Mystery Alligator?  (Read 3069 times)

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Offline Wrenchmensch

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Mystery Alligator?
« on: January 29, 2013, 04:13:07 PM »
This 9-inch No. 2 alligator wrench is embossed with a "P inscribed in a Keystone". I cleaned it  up and photographed it hoping someone can identify this wrench's maker.  I checked the Wrenching News makers marks page published several years ago, but didn't find this mark. 
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Offline wvtools

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Re: Mystery Alligator?
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2013, 06:07:41 PM »
My first guess would be a Philadelphia maker.  Did Disston make alligator wrenches? 

American Saw Co. made alligator wrenches, and they had a plant in Beaver Falls, PA.
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Offline Wrenchmensch

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Re: Mystery Alligator?
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2013, 06:48:12 PM »
The American Saw alligator wrenches have AMERICAN SAW CO.  TRENTON N.J. MFGS. embossed on one side of their their handles.
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Offline mikeswrenches

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Re: Mystery Alligator?
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2013, 07:15:40 PM »
AA only shows an L  in a keystone for Lakeside Forge.  But you probably already looked there.

Mike
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Offline Wrenchmensch

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Re: Mystery Alligator?
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2013, 09:44:03 PM »
Yep, already checked that!
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Offline rusty

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Re: Mystery Alligator?
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2013, 04:17:10 PM »

Phoenix something? (iron/manufacturing? I can't remember )
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Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline Wrenchmensch

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Re: Mystery Alligator?
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2013, 04:32:34 PM »
Rusty:

Phoenix Steel was a specialty steelmaker. As far as I know it was located in Claymont, Delaware, right on the Delaware-Pennsylvania border.  It also had, at one time, major operations in Phoenixville, PA.  I don't believe they ever made tools, though.

Bob
« Last Edit: January 30, 2013, 04:48:28 PM by Wrenchmensch »
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Offline thiggy

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Re: Mystery Alligator?
« Reply #7 on: January 31, 2013, 08:36:23 AM »
What was the purpose of the alligator wrench?  I assume it was intended to fit a variety of sizes of both square and hex nuts, but I don't see how it could grip anything very well.  Can someone help educate me?  Thanks
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Offline mvwcnews

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Re: Mystery Alligator?
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2013, 10:38:10 AM »
Grip square & hex nuts by one flat & one corner -- the teeth usually were cut at an angle so they also would grip pipe & other rounds.
When the teeth are sharp they work pretty well for grip, but in the aftermath whatever they worked on looked pretty well chewed -- like an alligator had been at work!
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Offline wvtools

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Re: Mystery Alligator?
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2013, 11:40:01 AM »
My 1960 Williams catalog has this entry for their Bull Dog alligator wrenches:

"Designed for all-around service, these wrenches will grip round, square, hexagon or any shape that will fit between their tough jaws."
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