Gametime! The c. 1899 "Metal Worker" Challenge

[Private Lugnutz]

Welcome to the “c.1899 Metal Worker Challenge”!

So, I was doing some research a week or so ago and up popped this article, “Wrenches, Cutters, and Tongs” by J.L. Bixby, Jr., in the March 25, 1899 edition of The Metal Worker, a trade journal.

Written in the form of a quiz for notional apprentices, the article is interesting in and of itself. For example, I love the brutal forthright honesty of the author’s rationale for the style variations of what he refers to as “the three most common pipe wrenches” (Stillson, Franklin, and Trimo): “to overcome patent rights or to suit the fancy of the manufacturer.” I also enjoyed his warning about using a cheater pipe: “By doing this there is some risk of springing the wrench.”

As I read through the article, a gratifying feeling began to come over me as the recognition sunk in that I own most of the wrenches referenced in the article in my personal collection (or in a couple cases a slightly later version), except for one, the “Extension S Wrench” shown in Fig. 7.

That just didn’t sit right with me, and so, for my own sense of completion, I recently acquired one from a fellow GJ member.

And I thought the wrench section, shown here, might make a fun challenge for others.

(Post 1 of 7)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Believe it or not, I don’t own a genuine article original Stillson wrench. Ironically. I have probably passed 100 of them at the flea market. It’s just not something I ever wanted. This one is a later Improved Stillson, and it’s shorter than the example shown in the article, which has the smooth handle typically found on wrenches longer than 24”. (Half-point only)

(Post 2 of 7)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is my offset pipe wrench. It’s not a Franklin, which refers to George. E. Franklin, and patent 345,777, granted July 20, 1886. It is a Lawson USHCO, which refers to Gottfrid C. Lawson, and patent 1,362,014, granted Dec. 14, 1920, which was an improvement on the original Franklin design. Excuse the box rot scars. This was a rescue. (Half-point only.)

Here is my Trimo wrench (which, as the author seemingly fails to understand, uses a Stillson pattern) and it is period correct.

(Post 3 of 7)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is my combination wrench, a period correct Bemis & Call.

The author is using the term “combination” rather generically and the mfgr is not referenced in the caption for the figure, but there is NO doubt that a Bemis & Call was the model for the figure, and Bemis & Call owned the patent for the first combination pipe and monkey wrench, which was 501,860, granted to Williams S. Bemis, on July 18, 1893. While the figure is showing a variant with a short adjusting collar nut, the patent actually shows a long adjusting collar-nut, and combination wrenches with long collar-nuts were produced first.

(Post 4 of 7)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is my period correct Alligator wrench, and note that it is the only “Alligator” wrench you will ever see in this period that is actually labeled as such on the tool itself or in ads or catalogs. Roebling acquired the trademark for the term when they acquired American Saw.

(Post 5 of 7)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is my period correct Bemis & Call monkey wrench. I don’t have a detachable pipe jaw insert for it, but it is pictured with a three-cornered file, which, as the article explains, is “oftentimes placed between the pipe and front jaw of a monkey wrench” as a substitute for a detachable pipe jaw insert.

And here is my recently acquired Extension S Wrench. The article doesn’t mention William Baxter, but the wrench depicted is the second Baxter patent, 84,605, granted Dec 1, 1868. This example is not marked, but they were made by many mfgrs, some marked, some not.

(Post 6 of 7)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is my period correct Lowell ratchet. While neither the article or the figure references a mfgr, I think the ratchet in the figure is a Lowell. It is identifiable by the figure alone, but I think the description makes it unmistakable: “by turning the thumbscrew at the end of the handle it can be worked right or left as desired.” I have never seen another rathcet that operated the same way. The patent is 349,077, granted Sep 14, 1886 to John E. Sinclair, and assigned to Lowell Wrench Company.

Post 7 of 7)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

So which one of you self-proclaimed pickers, wrenchers, tool hounds, scroungers, and serious collectors wants to have some fun and take the “1899 Metal Worker Challenge” next?

I’m thinking of you twertsy, or 3bay, or don long, or HeelSpur! Or anybody else that has the mettle and the metal!

It doesn’t have to be in one fell swoop. Post the examples you have that match, and then try to collect the missing wrenches.

Let’s go!

Show ‘em if you got ‘em!

 

[woody 73]

I am up for a little fun tonight...

 

[woody 73]

more...

 

[woody 73]

more...

 

[woody 73]

The rest...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Doing great so far, Woody!

You've certainly got the Stillson and Monkey covered, also the Trimo, although if the author was judging he would likely deduct points for the wood handle. ("It should not have a wooden handle, as they are constantly working loose and breaking.")

And I'm impressed that you have the Lowell patent ratchet!

4 of 8 so far without even breaking a sweat!

You only need the combination monkey/pipe wrench, the Baxter patent adjustable S wrench, the "Alligator" wrench, and the Franklin (of other Offset) pipe wrench.

Thanks for playing.

 

[twertsy]

I don't think I can compete....

Bottom to top:
Coes Patent
P.S.W
W&B
Loring Coes Patent
Girard

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[twertsy]

Lawson

W&B double Gator

Bemis & Call

I NEVER grab Lowell rats, nor do I possess a Baxter.

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[Private Lugnutz]

Hey, you did pretty good! I suspect the Baxter, the Lowell ratchet, the single end Alligator, and a detachable jaw insert to turn a regular Monkey wrench into a pipe wrench are the most difficult to fulfill. (I got a kick out of the author recommending a piece of a three-square file!) I have never seen an insert like the one shown in the figure. It looks like a set screw on the back.

EDIT: I am thinking about making a board, printing the article in six enlarged sections, "aging" the paper, pasting it on the board, and installing pegs for mounting the tools where the figures are. When you take the tool off, there is the figure behind it.

 

[PugetDude]

poy.
What do I win?

 

[twertsy]

More appropriate Williams Bull Dog Gator.

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[chickenfarmer]

Forgive my ignorance.. but what's the gator for?

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[Private Lugnutz]

More appropriate Williams Bull Dog Gator.

There ya go!

I used a Roebling No. 3 for my photo. Those are big Alligators. Here it is with a couple of No. 1's for comparison.

I knew I would hook you on this! I await your updates!

Forgive my ignorance.. but what's the gator for?

Originally it was used to turn iron and steel pipes and rods on locomotives, in factories, sewer systems, bridge-building, etc, but also nuts and bolts. Industrial. They didn't care about a perfect fit or about gouging them.

 

[don long]

I have a few of those tools on this tool board

 

[don long]

I'm short a couple of tools from this list but I think that I cover most of them with these 2 display boards

2019-05-31 11.48.01 by don long, on Flickr

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice, Don! I'm planning to make a board and paste the entire article on it as is, text and figures, and put hooks in for the actual wrenches. I think that will make a cool and unique board.