Camron US Tools.

woody 73 · Jan 23, 2021

My search led me to the Tool Talk web-site (Papawswrench.com) and a member Moparthug said...

"I'm throwing in the towel on this one, I'm stumped. Anyone know about these? 6-1/4 long."

Well brother Woody on the GJ is just as stumped as you are! :dunno:

Interesting in the only other answer to his question came from member bill300d and he said...

"I believe the Cam-Ron name was used by Crescent Tool for Military Contract."

A good start that in turn led me to the following...

A Military web-site called G503 Military Vehicle Message Forums, (Which I bet some of are members belong to).

Member Wingnutt replied...

"Camron has never been wartime verified as far as I know, but many of their tools show up with martial markings, and they are desirable for that reason."

Not much to go on with this post story; that is everything I could find on the web. You now know as much as I do.

A few links and some pictures of the pliers that I found this week.

http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=18701.0

https://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?t=248500&start=60

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-US...eedle-Nose-Pliers-W-Side-Cutter-/383879544151

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-camron-duckbill-pliers-3761450059

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-camron-duckbill-pliers-2006334994

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-camron-1-needlenose-pliers-3233454827

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/nos-camron-military-issues-linesman-2039914851

Leviton · Jan 23, 2021

Another brand to look for. Thanks Woody.

I dug up a minimal amount of additional information:

Rusty on Tool Talk in 2013 said:
"Cam-ron - was Camron Mfg co (but I don't know which of many), became Pro America Premium Tools, Emporium, PA"
http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=8843.0

I found other sources that confirm the link between Cam-Ron pliers and Pro America Premium Tools, and that Pro America Premium Tools supplied tools to the government.

woody 73 · Jan 23, 2021

Leviton said:
Another brand to look for. Thanks Woody.

I dug up a minimal amount of additional information:

Rusty on Tool Talk in 2013 said:
"Cam-ron - was Camron Mfg co (but I don't know which of many), became Pro America Premium Tools, Emporium, PA"
http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=8843.0

I found other sources that confirm the link between Cam-Ron pliers and Pro America Premium Tools, and that Pro America Premium Tools supplied tools to the government.

Great information good find and well done. :rocker:

Leviton · Jan 23, 2021

Thanks Woody.

woody 73 said:
... A Military web-site called G503 Military Vehicle Message Forums, (Which I bet some of are members belong to).

Member Wingnutt replied...

"Camron has never been wartime verified as far as I know, but many of their tools show up with martial markings, and they are desirable for that reason."

I don't know much about war time tools. What would be examples of the martial markings he is talking about?

woody 73 · Jan 23, 2021

My best guess is that Wingnut said he had a pair for sale that was marked 6"- 41-p-1714, so maybe that is a military number ?

Private Lugnutz · Jan 23, 2021

Wingnutt is me. That username was taken when I joined here, but I'm a "nut" on both forums. Nothing more to add. CAMRON just seems to show up exclusively in military applications, and they were a known supplier in the 50s. The "US" marking, which looks more martial (military property) than COO (i.e., U.S.A.) to military collectors, further lends itself to that impression. But nobody has dug up anything substantive on them as far as I know.

Username already in use · Jan 23, 2021

I had a pair of the Camron U.S. marked side cutters, but I passed them along to Lugz. I think he has a pair of slip joint pliers from Camron also with the U.S. martial mark.

Manufacturers would use the martial mark to show that tools were made for the U.S. Government. Sometimes the U.S. or U.S.A. mark is engraved in the field to show ownership.

Here are some examples of other martial marks.

The other kind of marking that you're referring to 41-P-1714, is an early federal stock number. It's phonetic in that in this case, the P stands for pliers. The 41 is the prefix for hand tools and the 1714 is for the specific type, in this case 6" side cutters. 41-W-*** would be a wrench. Here's an example on a MAC DOE:

Another example of wartime tool taxonomy is the TAXI number which refers to an Ordnance Drawing Number; a specification for a given tool. Here's and example of a Duro Chrome DOE:

As for the History of Camron tools, I don't really have anything to add. I'm sure Lugz will be along to fill any gaps in my explanation. :beer:

Leviton · Jan 23, 2021

Thank you for the education, Username.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 25, 2021

Username already in use said:
I'm sure Lugz will be along to fill any gaps in my explanation.

Your prediction was faster than "Minority Report", because it looks like Lugz was posting while you were typing! :lol:

There's really nothing more to add.

I have never found an incorporation date or any history, even after they became Pro-America, and there is no record of them in any WWII references I have. My hunch remains that they were one of many postwar popups (Giller, the Thorsen subsidiary, is another great example) who took advantage of the early days of the Cold War Military-Industrial Complex.

Username already in use said:
I had a pair of the Camron U.S. marked side cutters, but I passed them along to Lugz. I think he has a pair of slip joint pliers from Camron also with the U.S. martial mark.

I think the pliers I got from you were 6" needle nose.

I sold the slip joints to Europe and cannot find a photo.

d42jeep · Jan 25, 2021

I think mine are postwar due to the way they are marked. I generally leave them behind when I see them but these were in very good condition.
-Don

steaks&anvils · Jan 25, 2021

I have a pair of newer Camron pliers (I assume). They had acid etched logo, "CAMRON US". When did they stop making tools? Are they still in business?

4.5in flat jawed, squared tip with teeth at the end, no cutter. I got them used and the PO had chewed the teeth all to hell. Like they should have used visegrips not tiny pliers... I cut them back to good flat jaw and now they are just "stubbies" I use to open and close jump rings. Even with the abuse, the hinge is still nice and tight and the jaws are aligned properly. They sanded up nice and smooth everywhere. Alas, the logo sanded off and is now just a shadow when viewed in the right light.

MR.X · Oct 28, 2021

Here's an interesting CAMRON Cam Ron / Giller contracting Frankenstein. Looks to be a Berylco made socket set.

Vintage 1/4" Drive Beryllium Copper Socket Set Giller Sockets Cam-Ron Ratchet | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage 1/4" Drive Beryllium Copper Socket Set Giller Sockets Cam-Ron Ratchet at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

four.cycle · Dec 21, 2021

Cam-ron / Cam-ron / (see Cameron Mfg. Co., Emporium, PA) /

Cameron / Cameron Mfg. Co., Emporium, PA / "Cam-Ron" pliers / ( at some point became ProAmerica Premium Tools, Emporium, PA / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/camron-us-tools.473088/ /

see also: Emporium Forging Co., Inc., Emporium, PA, American KAL Enterprises Inc., Pro America Premium Tools

1973 House Committee on Trade Reform 93rd Congress Cameron Mfg. Co.jpg

House Committee on Trade Reform 93rd Congress May 21-22 1973 H.R. 6767
Members of the Hand Tools Institute pp 1875

Cameron Mfg. Co. Sub of Hydrometals Inc 31341.jpg

Nongovernmental Organization Codes for Military Standard Contract Administration Procedures (MILSCAP)
United States and Canada, Code to Name October 1974
Cameron Mfg. Co. Sub of Hydrometals Inc., E. 2nd St., Emporium, PA 15834

Leviton · Dec 23, 2021

Thanks four.cycle.

Anyone know who manufacturered the pliers on the right in this photo that Username Already In Use posted?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachments/img_0931-jpg.1095029/

Username already in use · Dec 24, 2021

@Leviton I think lots of manufacturers made wire cutters for the First World War effort. Only ones worth any real dollars are branded Krauetuer I think. Lots of unbranded during the war and through the interwar years. Made to Fed specs, so could be just about anyone.

Leviton · Apr 12, 2022

I wanted to add a pair of pliers I just found because they are marked CAM-RON rather than CAMRON like the other photos in this thread.

These are 6.4 inch overall length and in pretty good condition. I like the lines of this design. Cam-ron did not spend a lot of time on the cosmetics when finishing these, the sides are a bit rough.

LesserSon · Nov 10, 2024

Found these today, finally solving a “who made these?” puzzle over a few unmarked examples with the same grip pattern.

Private Lugnutz · Nov 10, 2024

LesserSon said:
Found these today, finally solving a “who made these?” puzzle over a few unmarked examples with the same grip pattern.

d42jeep · Nov 10, 2024

None of mine have that fancy grip pattern.

-Don

LesserSon · Nov 10, 2024

I have not seen this grip pattern on any other model of pliers, and I have been looking. I have seen one other pair of dikes (aside from Greg’s) with nothing stamped, plus one pair where “FORGED USA” was the only discernable mark.

Before that pair, we had no evidence if they were USA or not.

JeremyBender · Jul 11, 2025

Here's what I just came across.

LesserSon · Jul 11, 2025

And then, I found these forged USA lobster / crab / nut crackers with the same grips.

four.cycle · Jul 12, 2025

^ Why not Camron? They were contract suppliers for government/military. Why not contract to some "novelty" company?

Private Lugnutz · Jul 12, 2025

LesserSon said:
And then, I found these forged USA lobster / crab / nut crackers with the same grips.

four.cycle said:
Why not Camron? They were contract suppliers for government/military.

If you're suggesting the nutcrackers were bought from Camron under contract by a government agency, for use in mess halls, banquet halls, or kitchens, etc, I guess that's plausible. It's also possible Camron had other (non-government) contracts/customers.

four.cycle said:
Why not contract to some "novelty" company?

If you're suggesting a subcontract mfgr that was making the pliers that Camron sold to the government was also making other similar implements, such as the nutcrackers LS just spotted, that is the theory that would be the most probable in my opinion.

four.cycle · Jul 12, 2025

^ yeah... exactly... if they were operating along the same lines as their successor, ProAmerica, the bulk of whose output is all made for private label contracts.
not government/military... I was thinking ... you know - some "novelty" company in Brooklyn, most likely. (or maybe Newark!) :lol:

psu8865 · Jan 23, 2026

I found this Facebook comment on a Cameron County PA history page-
"
I worked there for a couple of years. Cameron Manufacturing Company was a drop forge steel plant. They were located on Second St. in Emporium.
They were manufacturers of a variety of steel tools ranging from fine surgical instruments through large industrial wrenches. Cold roll steel rods were were shipped into the plant and that steel was worked throughout the mill and turned into final products, including the packaging for store shelves.
Pliers, cutters, tool handles, sockets, etc…were made in an endless variety. These tools were made for major industry names such as Utica Tool, Blackhawk, Lufkin and so on. Their own brand was simply called Cameron Mnfg.
These products were known for their quality and reliability, pretty much world wide at one time.
It was a noisy, gritty, hot, ingenious, dangerous and unique place, that was just one aspect of Emporiums manufacturing community that was known around the world."

From a former employee there. I picked up a pair of CAMRON USA 6" cutters on a dollar table at the flea market today and was curious. They are old- definitely need a bath in evaporust and a wire wheel. I've been to Emporium- it's in the woods of PA- very remote location.

RTM · Mar 18, 2026

Here is a find from an ES or GS somewhere sometime lately. They got kicked aside, and I found them under the monitor riser on my WFH desk which has been mostly ignored lately.

I remember finding them, looking at the pivot for a name, and knowing they needed to come home with me. Decent shape, need some rust removal, but the jaw tips meet.

Camron US Tools.

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