More than just adjustable wrenches, post up your vintage Crescent tools

d42jeep · Dec 28, 2020

I was surprised to find that the vintage forum didn’t have a thread dedicated to Crescent tools so I took a subtle hint from Lugz to start this one. In the early days of collecting tools for my WW2 sets, I ran across plenty of early Crescent tools and will be posting some of them here. I encourage others to do the same. I’ll start with some of the adjustable wrenches the brand is known for.
-Don

d42jeep · Dec 28, 2020

How about some hacksaws?
-Don

d42jeep · Dec 28, 2020

Here are some slip joint pliers. The earliest ones have a screwdriver blade machined into one handle.
-Don

d42jeep · Dec 28, 2020

More pliers. The last picture isn’t mine.
-Don

d42jeep · Dec 28, 2020

Some plier references.
-Don

steaks&anvils · Dec 28, 2020

Crestoloy 21-5 round nose.

These were $0.25 at the Habitat Restore, rusted shut and mangled tips.

I de-rusted them and cut the tips back as little as possible to good material. I sanded the rough off of all of it and polished the round nose jaws some.

I use these with my jewelry making tools.

Silverbear07 · Dec 29, 2020

I love old tools. I enjoy using them as well.

Private Lugnutz · Dec 29, 2020

d42jeep said:
Some plier references.

Hey, I know that guy in Pic 5!!

SilverDeck · Dec 29, 2020

I think I have posted pics of this piece before, but a few years ago I was fortunate to run across this very early Crescent Tool Co 12" adjustable wrench at an antique store. What caught my attention about it initially was the cross-knurling on the thumbscrew. Nearly all of the Crescent wrenches I had seen had straight knurling and this was the first I had seen with the cross-knurling. Further examination revealed the "Patent Pending" markings (likely relating the Patent #1,133236 from 1915). The cross-knurled thumbscrew can be clearly seen on the patent illustrations. Crescent began marketing these wrenches as early as 1908, but the first patent on the design doesn't appear to have been filed until 7 years later. Regardless, I think this is a fairly early wrench and an incredible survivor!

d42jeep · Dec 29, 2020

SilverDeck said:
I think I have posted pics of this piece before, but a few years ago I was fortunate to run across this very early Crescent Tool Co 12" adjustable wrench at an antique store. What caught my attention about it initially was the cross-knurling on the thumbscrew. Nearly all of the Crescent wrenches I had seen had straight knurling and this was the first I had seen with the cross-knurling. Further examination revealed the "Patent Pending" markings (likely relating the Patent #1,133236 from 1915). The cross-knurled thumbscrew can be clearly seen on the patent illustrations. Crescent began marketing these wrenches as early as 1908, but the first patent on the design doesn't appear to have been filed until 7 years later. Regardless, I think this is a fairly early wrench and an incredible survivor!

Thanks for posting your early example and the patent information. The first three pictures in the thread are also early with the knurled adjusters. I was surprised to find that Crescent started using the squared off hanger hole as early as the 1961 catalog, where both styles are shown. I thought that style happened more recently. I believe that these with the open throat are even more modern. The Barcalo example in the last picture must have been made after that company was sold to Crescent Niagara in 1963.
-Don

d42jeep · Dec 29, 2020

I have a Crescent wood handled screwdriver and awl but I don’t run into them frequently. I’m surprised that they weren’t more popular since they are quite attractive.
-Don

Jim C. · Dec 30, 2020

My one and only vintage Crescent tool.

Jim C.

Username already in use · Dec 30, 2020

10in Combination pliers with original box. :thumbup:

3baygarage · Dec 30, 2020

I don’t know if you guys want to see ratchets but I have quite a few Crescent brand. Certainly not the oldest of their tools, but all USA.

In this group, the top one is a 1/2” with the box. That and the 3/8” it below it are clearly Wright rebranded as Crescent.

The next is a 1/2” Crescent Tool Co. lineman ratchet. It says Jamestown on it.

Last is a Crescent Life-Time 3/4”.

3baygarage · Dec 31, 2020

Some others.

3/8” and 1/4” Life-Time

Another 1/2” made by Wright.

3baygarage · Jan 1, 2021

Since it’s still on me...

two more 3/8” and a 1/4”.

d42jeep · Jan 1, 2021

Thanks for posting those. I rarely see Crescent drive tools. After checking my orphans, this is the only US made one that I could come up with.
-Don

d42jeep · Jan 28, 2021

Here is an incomplete early hacksaw that I’ve been trying to find the missing parts to complete. The last two pictures are of a Crescent nail puller.
-Don

d42jeep · Jan 28, 2021

Here are a variety of Cee Tee pliers showing different sizes and finishes.
-Don

d42jeep · Jan 29, 2021

Crescent made some tools for other manufacturers as well. The first three pictures are of a pair of pliers marked Premier with the Crescent handle pattern. The fourth picture is of some Millers Falls pliers next to their Crescent counterparts. The last group is of an S-K Tools adjustable wrench looking very Crescent-like although I have nothing to document that.
-Don

d42jeep · Feb 15, 2021

Here are some more early Crescent wrenches. The cross section of the head was really thick on the early carbon steel models.
-Don

steaks&anvils · Feb 15, 2021

d42jeep said:
Here are some more early Crescent wrenches. The cross section of the head was really thick on the early carbon steel models.
-Don

They had bigger nuts back in the day? :lol_hitti

Everything was bigger back then too, big machinery needs big tools. Nothing was easy and everything and everyone had to work hard to put food on the table and keep the world at bay.

Private Lugnutz · Feb 15, 2021

Crescent continued making the carbon steel models as an economy line alternative to the alloy steel (branded Crestoloy) models through the 40's at least. The "30%" thinner claim was no exaggeration on a mic or a scale. Here are two 4-inchers.

Private Lugnutz · Feb 15, 2021

And in the "more than adjustables" category..., a combination cut tin snip.

d42jeep · Feb 15, 2021

Looks familiar.
-Don

d42jeep · Feb 15, 2021

Here is a cool ad for an early 4” Crescent wrench. I think that the Pratt and Whitney marked 4” wrench belongs to Username.
-Don

outofbounds · Feb 19, 2021

Turned up this Crescent No. 175 x 3/4" one-piece All Steel Chisel. Some of the original blue finish remains. I don't have catalog documentation, but I feel like I saw somewhere these originated in the late 1920s. Good overall condition, the blade is in eminently workable condition with a proper cleaning & honing.

drivesitfar · Feb 19, 2021

I love a thread with good old quality tools and plenty of pics and catalog pages so not sure how I missed this one.

looks great and i'll have pics of some of mine soon.

I don't think i've ever come across or even seen one of those dual end crescent wrenches. not sure why I even need one, but I think I WANT ONE.

carry on and i'll pour another mug of ice tea for the show

d42jeep · Mar 11, 2021

My daughter reported that my 3 yr old granddaughter had found a rusty Crescent wrench semi buried in their front yard. Without seeing it, I foolishly offered to restore it for her. After seeing it, normally I would have thrown it away but I didn’t want to disappoint her so I gave it a shot. After a couple of baths in Evaporust I ended up working on it for a few minutes every day for a week. I finally got the adjusting wheel to turn a little at a time. Eventually it would open and close properly but it will never be more than a display piece. At least my granddaughter was happy with it.
-Don

Provincial · Mar 11, 2021

Oldtuleguy · Mar 11, 2021

Some socket sets

Username already in use · Mar 11, 2021

Some nice socket sets. :thumbup:

Thanks for bumping this up to the top. I found a Crescent screwdriver at the flea last weekend. Model K506-1/2 measures 6-1/2" long. Cabinet tip. This is the first vintage Crescent screwdriver that I've come across.

HeelSpur · Mar 13, 2021

Here's a few of mine.

DSCF3631 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

DSCF3632 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

DSCF3633 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

DSCF3634 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

HeelSpur · Mar 14, 2021

S'more.

DSCF3642 by wvwheaties, on Flickr

DSCF3641 by wvwheaties, on Flickr

DSCF3638 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

DSCF3635 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

d42jeep · Mar 14, 2021

Great selection of Crescent tools. I’ve never seen the all steel chisels before. I wouldn’t mind finding a Crescent socket set.
-Don

d42jeep · Mar 15, 2021

Here are some Crescent Diagonal pliers. It’s thought that the additional US stamp likely indicates wartime production.
-Don

drivesitfar · Mar 16, 2021

I can't recall ever posting this socket set I found in my big rotabin yesterday while I was cleaning up so thought i'd post it again. it seems to be in pretty decent shape too.

Macduf · Mar 16, 2021

my oldest crescent wrench, the count is now 22 4" adjustables

d42jeep · Mar 16, 2021

I think we’re tied.
-Don

Macduf · Mar 16, 2021

I'll need to do group picture

More than just adjustable wrenches, post up your vintage Crescent tools

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