Show Your Vintage Utica Tools!

[AntiqueBen]

Here's a couple of early Utica pliers with early marks. I've never seen another pair of Utica 5" button pliers...?

 

[NMCycleNut]

OK Guys and Gals, I have had these for decades and have never found anyone who could tell me what they are for. They were my Fathers and he was a WWII Vet and would be 101 now. It appears they are stamped 38-Y-1605. He was in the Army Air Corp (P38's) and after that he worked for over 40+ years in a Chemical Plant as a Master Electrician.

I "found" them again today and thought someone here may have an answer to what they were used for. I am stumped.

They do not look "ground down" but more purpose built.

I'm getting older and would like a little clarity.

They are 4 5/8" from top to bottom.

I hate to join a forum and make an ask in my first post but here I am.

Thanks in advance.

 

[four.cycle]

Welcome to the site, @NMCycleNut!

keep this link handy

and this one too

the resident Utica expert(s) will most likely respond in the morning.

 

[LesserSon]

OK Guys and Gals, I have had these for decades and have never found anyone who could tell me what they are for. They were my Fathers and he was a WWII Vet and would be 101 now. It appears they are stamped 38-Y-1605. He was in the Army Air Corp (P38's) and after that he worked for over 40+ years in a Chemical Plant as a Master Electrician.

I "found" them again today and thought someone here may have an answer to what they were used for. I am stumped.

They do not look "ground down" but more purpose built.

I'm getting older and would like a little clarity.

They are 4 5/8" from top to bottom.

I hate to join a forum and make an ask in my first post but here I am.

Thanks in advance.

I do not see that model number in Utica catalogs from the 1910s, 1920s or 1930s (suggested by the forged-in 3-diamonds logo inside the handles). Neither “38” nor “1605” fit into any families of pliers I see there. I suspect the model number may indicate custom work for a particular entity (industry, utility or government, which is hopefully how we might learn more). I see two similar model numbers on the internet, one for a pin for heavy equipment and one for a crimping die - neither seems related to your father’s pliers.
I would say I don’t see the shape of those, but I actually cannot say for sure what the profile is, based on the three images of a single view. Could you post an image of the other face, and one from the side?
Despite not looking “ground down” to you, that is probably how they were made, even if at the factory. Those look ground down from a needle-nose type pliers, probably the type without side cutter, but I’d like to see the two other views I mentioned.
What do they measure from pivot to handle tip, and across the handles?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

^ Just to complement LS's analysis of the number marking, while it may look like one in format, that is not a Federal Stock Number. Class code "38" was for brooms and brushes, and the letter designators were matching (i.e., pliers were stocked in "P").

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I was going to say, 'That's all I got,' but...

He was in the Army Air Corp (P38's)

 

[four.cycle]

I do not see that model number

^ I went through everything I have here (all of which I believe has been posted in this thread) and I didn't find anything even close.
Specialty order for some specific purpose is all that makes sense.

 

[NMCycleNut]

Pivot to handle tip is 3 3/4". Across the handles at the widest point is 2" (outside).

I appreciate all your input.

 

[RTM]

he worked for over 40+ years in a Chemical Plant as a Master Electrician

I have a Nicopress tool for crimping tiny beads on thin wire, # 17-2. these jaws look like a taller skinnier version. Not sure this helps.

 

[LesserSon]

Here’s all I meant about getting your pliers by grinding from a basic form: just cut off the parts in the red.
In fact two of these wouldn’t work because they have side cutters, but the other two would work. Sorry I didn’t get the pivots lined up.
It does nothing to explain their function or trace the number to purchasing entity.

 

[NMCycleNut]

Thanks. It appears it will remain a mystery then. That's probably the way my Dad would want it anyway.

 

[LuckeyLoser]

I have some nos Utica tools. And some are Bell System. And some other bell system tools.

 

[apg7]

Hi all - I was looking for some info on Utica Tools and stumbled across this gold mine! Based on what I've read here the TL-126 is a Signal Corps designation. However, my googling failed me on finding this exact shape? Are the standard needle nose that have been ground to a custom shape? I was going to give them to someone who works on tiny jewelry and crafts since the point is so fine and clean, but it's nice to be able to tell them exactly what it is. Thanks in advance.
Edit: apologies for the gross hands, the paint/oil cabinet in my garage had a bit of a disaster this week.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

^ Those have been significantly modified. The TL-126 specified long chain-nose pliers, and that's what standard Utica 1033-6 pliers are.

 

[apg7]

Ok, that's what I thought. Busted out the magnifying glass and saw grinder marks. Any idea what the modifications would have been done for?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The possibilities are endless. Something very fine. Tiny snap rings. Some old tiny fastener that needed a tiny face spanner action. Jewelry. Crafting. Etc.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some Signal Corps pliers. The longnoses are unmodified TL-126.
-Don