Diagonal Side Cutter Addition & U.S. / U.S.A. Markings

[RubiconJK]

Diagonal Side Cutter Addiction & U.S. / U.S.A. Markings

Hello...my name is Dewayne and I cannot pass up a pair of side cutters (and if I'm honest also needle nose pliers). Post them up if you have the same affliction.

Today at the flea market I found another one of the 6" Crescent models and it had the U.S. mark to boot. I believe I've read where this additional U.S. or U.S.A. mark signifies that these were part of a military contract order. Perhaps someone can validate or dispute?

 

[r_olson_06]

Re: Diagonal Side Cutter Addiction & U.S. / U.S.A. Markings

Hello...my name is Dewayne and I cannot pass up a pair of side cutters (and if I'm honest also needle nose pliers). Post them up if you have the same affliction.

Today at the flea market I found another one of the 6" Crescent models and it had the U.S. mark to boot. I believe I've read where this additional U.S. or U.S.A. mark signifies that these were part of a military contract order. Perhaps someone can validate or dispute?

Hi Dewayne [emoji1]. Feels more like a support group. I have wondered the same thing. I picked up a pair in the pawn shop that only has a U.S. stamp on them. Right in the center of the action.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yes, this type of "U.S." marking, added by the factory or added after issue by the military agency, in a stamping style, font or format that is often clearly different than the factory markings (branding, model name and number, etc), is thought to be a martial marking. In the late 1930's into WWII, Federal Specifications and many agency specifications began to stipulate a company name and country of origin. At the time, COO markings were still not standard. Sometimes we even see them on tools that already have a COO marking (your Bokers, for example), almost as if Private Lugnutz got into such a rhythm stamping a "U.S." on tools in the tool room that he didn't even notice. So, military contract by default. But this is all based on theory and analysis. Nobody as far as I know has found a documented explanation.

 

[RubiconJK]

Hi Dewayne [emoji1]. Feels more like a support group. I have wondered the same thing. I picked up a pair in the pawn shop that only has a U.S. stamp on them. Right in the center of the action.

According to my wife I need more than a support group!

Yes, this type of "U.S." marking, added by the factory or added after issue by the military agency, in a stamping style, font or format that is often clearly different than the factory markings (branding, model name and number, etc), is thought to be a martial marking. In the late 1930's into WWII, Federal Specifications and many agency specifications began to stipulate a company name and country of origin. At the time, COO markings were still not standard. Sometimes we even see them on tools that already have a COO marking (your Bokers, for example), almost as if Private Lugnutz got into such a rhythm stamping a "U.S." on tools in the tool room that he didn't even notice. So, military contract by default. But this is all based on theory and analysis. Nobody as far as I know has found a documented explanation.

Thanks Lugz. I probably have passed up a few of these, but I do tend to nab them when I see them.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some of mine. The US marked Crescent dykes are the ones I come across most often. The Crescent longnoses and Barcalo dykes are the only ones I’ve seen with these additional markings. Username has some other brands with the additional US stamps.
-Don

 

[RubiconJK]

Here are some of mine. The US marked Crescent dykes are the ones I come across most often. The Crescent longnoses and Barcalo dykes are the only ones I’ve seen with these additional markings. Username has some other brands with the additional US stamps.
-Don

Same here with Crescent. The slip joint and flat nosed pliers in my group pic are also Crescent with the additional markings.

 

[d42jeep]

You have quite a few, that’s for sure. The WW2 collectors are constantly on the lookout for those. Crescent must have supplied a ton of tools to the war effort.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

Username has some other brands with the additional US stamps.

Like you guys, the Crescent side cutters seem to be the most prevalent. But I've managed to find a few others as well.

Here's a mess of BOKER:

And a lonely pair of Utica:

 

[Private Lugnutz]

A good military collectors' "tell" is the font on a martial mark. If it has serifs, it's WWI and Interwar. If it doesn't, it's WWII. That goes for everything, not just pliers, and not just tools. With tools it's usually obvious, anyway, based on type and construction characteristics. Button pliers and tongs and crimpers, etc. EDIT: I am not with them right now, but I will post some WWI examples later.

 

[Username already in use]

A good military collectors' "tell" is the font on a martial mark. If it has serifs, it's WWI and Interwar. If it doesn't, it's WWII.

Here's a good example. M1910 wire cutters with the serif fonts.

 

[RubiconJK]

A good military collectors' "tell" is the font on a martial mark. If it has serifs, it's WWI and Interwar. If it doesn't, it's WWII. That goes for everything, not just pliers, and not just tools. With tools it's usually obvious, anyway, based on type and construction characteristics. Button pliers and tongs and crimpers, etc. EDIT: I am not with them right now, but I will post some WWI examples later.

Here's a good example. M1910 wire cutters with the serif fonts.

I did not know this, thanks. It appears that all of mine are the WWII era marks.