Pawn Shop Scraps: 8/1/14 (H.D. Smith PH #615 8" & other 6" adjustable)

[lauver]

Gang,

I seldom post in the wrench forum but I recently picked up a couple of vintage adjustables I think are worthy and may be of general interest to resident "wrench heads" and PHARTS fans. 

Here's the take (two adjustables & $15 less in my pockets):

1) H.D Smith Perfect Handle #615 8-1/2" monkey wrench, condition fair but restorable, ca. 1903-1930, cost $9, value priceless to me, and

2) Unknown 6" pipe wrench, condition fair but restorable, ca. 19??-19??, cost $6, value = membership in the 6 & under club.  The only markings are a forged "6" on both sides moveable jaw and a "2nd" stamped on the side of the shank (I think I know what this means and why there is no brand or OEM marked on this wrench).

Here's a couple of quick photo's for your eyes:





As always, comments, observations, and tool knowledge are welcome; especially with regard to the unknown 6" pipe wrench. 

Your thoughts please...

[bonneyman]

Nice finds.
If anyone can help you on theses Gary, it's the good ole boys here at TT.

I have an old small pipe wrench with a similar screw nut on the end of the handle holding the wood on. I think - can't really tell from the photo angle, tho it looks like it.
Though, the moveable jaw is different on mine.

[lauver]

Bman,

Mine has the same screw nut but has a depressed panel with a forged "6" on the movable jaws.  The general design of the wrenches and handles are quite similar.

I would be interested in any markings on or the approximate date range of your adj. wrench . 

[bonneyman]

Bman,

Mine has the same screw nut but has a depressed panel with a forged "6" on the movable jaws.  The general design of the wrenches and handles are quite similar.

I would be interested in any markings on or the approximate date range of your adj. wrench .

That's just it. Mine - like yours -doesn't have any markings.

[oldtools]

Nice finds!!

[scottg]

Probably JR Danielson. I have one that is marked, but the mark is so lightly struck, it would wear off if you used the wrench much at all.

I also have an Oswego Tool Co 6" pipe wrench, but the strike on that is better.

     yours Scott

[Chillylulu]

I think the perfect handle is a gem.  I also like any small wrenches.

Nice finds.

Chilly

[lauver]

Gang-- thanks for the kind words.

Scottg-- thanks for the leads.  Have you been able to date your JP Danielson?  I believe they used date codes on their tools.

[RedVise]

Probably JR Danielson. 
 

I think Scott is on the money. I have about 14 6" pipe wrenches, and the only one with that partial circle on moveable jaw is a JP Danielson. It's a plain steel handle but the jaw is the same as yours.


Brian

[lauver]

RedVise & scottg,

After spending some time on AA and some other tool sites, I'm inclined to go along with the JP Danielson attribution.

The likely date range, however, is still up in the air.  I've explored every Stillson pattern pipe wrench with a similar style wood handle regardless of brand/OEM, and it appears that this style handle was in general use during the teens & 20's give or take a decade.  Does this seem like a reasonable estimate of the date range?

Update-- I went thru my early Sears Catalogs looking for similar Stillson pattern pipe wrenches with round wood handles.  They appeared, under various brands, in the 1905, 1912, 1915, 1926, 1927, 1928, and 1935 catalogs.  They were not included in any catalogs after 1935. I also noted, the 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1935 catalogs had Perfect Handle style monkey wrenches.

I'm updating my estimated date range based on the recent Sears Catalog findings to include the general period from about 1905 - 1935.  Sound reasonable?