My first set of Eifel pliers wrench

[crankshaftdan II]

I know some other members have scored on finding these in the wild!  I stumbled onto these today and had to pay more than the $4.50 original price that is stamped into the handle as the seller was keenly aware of what they were.  I somewhat believe these were possibly mfg. for the Military as the canvas case is O.D.-however no FSN could be found on them.  Rather a quite common pliers dating back to the 1920"s-these will look just fine after a little wd-40 clean up and into the Dark Abiss of my collector tools!

[EVILDR235]

I have two pairs of those, but no extra jaws or case. I see lots of the pliers for sale, but the extra jaws are long gone.

EvilDr235

[Lostmind]

I have two pairs of those, but no extra jaws or case. I see lots of the pliers for sale, but the extra jaws are long gone.

EvilDr235

I have two also , although they each have a different jaw. Seems there are enough out there that nobody want's them without the jaw unless they are under $2-$3

[mikeswrenches]

If you look for extra jaws, be aware that there are two different types of gear racks.  One has straight cut teeth like a spur gear, and the other has angled teeth like a helical cut gear.  Make sure you get the right ones.

I don't know which is the earlier, but a guess would be the straight cut ones.

Mike

[lbgradwell]

I want a set (with jaws) and a nice pouch.

Someday...

[DM11]

Nice Plierench set crankshaft. They come in 8 1/2" and 7" size. I have a few sets of these. Top pic 8 1/2" made in 1936 bottom pic is a 7" made in 1953.

[EVILDR235]

My two have never met.I will need to dig them out and compare them. Collecting tools i have found never assume anything.I recently got all three pairs of my Proto / P&C compound leverage pliers in the same place and found things different about them besides the name. Alloy Artifacts is our friend.

EvilDr235

[Nolatoolguy]

Nice to have it all together. I have a pair of Eiffel pliers but no package or jaws.

[Charles Garrett]

Re:  Eifel pliers.  There are 5 distinct types.  The first is a 1 yr only 1920 and 8" with smooth handles.  @nd is 1921- 8 1/2 inch 1 maybe 2  yrs.  #3 is the one with angle cut gears and was made from ca 1923 to 1932.  these 3 only had 3 sets of jaws. the 4 th type has many type of jaw sets over the years and was made by several mfrs and still made today.  many different markings  with the early ones being marked with yr & month of mfr.  These have all markings roll stamped while previous 3 are forged marked.  The 5th style and is 7" and has 3 sets of smaller jaws.   Chuck Garrett

[DM11]

Re:  Eifel pliers.  There are 5 distinct types.  The first is a 1 yr only 1920 and 8" with smooth handles.  @nd is 1921- 8 1/2 inch 1 maybe 2  yrs.  #3 is the one with angle cut gears and was made from ca 1923 to 1932.  these 3 only had 3 sets of jaws. the 4 th type has many type of jaw sets over the years and was made by several mfrs and still made today.  many different markings  with the early ones being marked with yr & month of mfr.  These have all markings roll stamped while previous 3 are forged marked.  The 5th style and is 7" and has 3 sets of smaller jaws.   Chuck Garrett

Thank you for the history and differences between the different variations over the years Mr. Garrett.

[Yadda]

Re:  Eifel pliers.  There are 5 distinct types.  The first is a 1 yr only 1920 and 8" with smooth handles.  @nd is 1921- 8 1/2 inch 1 maybe 2  yrs.  #3 is the one with angle cut gears and was made from ca 1923 to 1932.  these 3 only had 3 sets of jaws. the 4 th type has many type of jaw sets over the years and was made by several mfrs and still made today.  many different markings  with the early ones being marked with yr & month of mfr.  These have all markings roll stamped while previous 3 are forged marked.  The 5th style and is 7" and has 3 sets of smaller jaws.   Chuck Garrett

A little clarification on this list.

I believe these versions exist:
1920
1921A
1922B
1923- November 1924 (Look like the World Flight Version with straight gears)
December 1924 to 1932 - World Flight Version with angled gears
1933 to early 60's - 7 and 8-1/2 in versions
1960's to early 70's VACO
Mid 70's Masterform
1980 - Nopak

The differences in the VACO, Masterform and Nopak versions are slight compared to the 1933 version, but the jaws often aren't interchangeble due to width. 

I have some of all of these.  I will post photo's once I get home this evening.

[Bus]

Lot 606 on the next Wrenching News Auction to be held after the Missouri valley Wrench Club Fall meeting Oct. 24 and 25 in El Dorado, Kansas is an Eifel Pliers with pouch and four jaws.

Link to all photos
http://wrenchingnews.com/2014-fall-auction/all-pics-one-page.html

Link to the catalog "in progress"
http://wrenchingnews.com/2014-fall-auction/catalog.html

[Charles Garrett]

#606 is the angled gear type and looks to be a nice set.

[Yadda]

#606 is the angled gear type and looks to be a nice set.

Looks like one of the jaws is from a later version?