Crescent double ended wrench history

[reedydrive]

Hey everyone.
I have a question: Does anyone know what year Crescent Tool Co. finished discontinuing their double ended adjustable wrenches? I happen to have a
6-8" and a 8-10". Can't seem to find an timeline answer in other forums...

 

[plumber84]

Check out the Alloy-Artifacts website, they have an entire section on this tool.

 

[reedydrive]

Thanks plumber84. AA is always my 1st choice. No answer there to this question (yet)...

 

[reedydrive]

GOOD GRIEF! 303 views to this point and no one has ventured a guess yet.
I'm not surprised. Really I would expect Crescent Wrench Co. to have the
info. But since they've merged with Apex, I expect that even the Crescent
brand will eventually fade into obscurity...

 

[HubbaBubba]

I expect that even the Crescent
brand will eventually fade into obscurity...[/QUOTE]

If it hasn't already!

 

[rusty65]

This just a rough guess if it doesn't have crestoloy stamped on it it is pre 1930. I think they stopped making the double ended in around 1922.

 

[WWIIjeep]

This just a rough guess if it doesn't have crestoloy stamped on it it is pre 1930. I think they stopped making the double ended in around 1922.

Add at least 39 years to the 1922 date. They were apparently still available in 1961:

(Image from a 1961 industrial supply catalog.)

I'd guess they discontinued them sometime in the 1960s. Most of my 1960-1980s catalogs are boxed and stored, but I'll check when I get to work later today. The next newer one I have at home is a 1970 catalog, and they're no longer listed in that one.

They apparently started making the double-end adjustable sometime between 1915 and 1918 (they're listed in a 1918 catalog, but only single-ends are listed in a 1915 catalog.

Diamond also made double-end adjustables at one time, as shown in a 1927 catalog:

I'd imagine the Diamonds are pretty rare. I've never seen one, but I've seen quite a few double-end Crescents and Crestoloys.

I doubt any of them were particularly popular in their day. The "other end" gets in the way of comfortable grip and maximum leverage.

 

[camarotoolman]

They sell good, people collect them alot. don't sell em cheap.

 

[2mJps]

I have one i think it is a crescent brand. What is one worth? Are crescent wrenchs guaurented ?

 

[reedydrive]

WWIIjeep, Thank you very much for the extensive info. I really appeciate it
As it happens I am currently selling a 6-8" double ended on "that auction site".
I suspect it's a first-generation wrench because it doesn't appear to have tension springs below the wheels (spacers instead).