Mossberg 611.

[Boringgeoff]

I'm really buoyed by the response to my query about a Hol-Set tool so I'm going to have look at another tool.
This is a Frank Mossberg No 611 which I think is a wire twister for lock-wiring transmission and differential bolts, though I have no proof of that and a lot of people have looked at it over the past few years.
It has a locking arm that cams over when there is a piece of wire inserted in the jaw. The plate on the front of the jaw can be loosened and turned 90 deg to use a different sized piece of wire. On the back of the tool is "Pat Pending" the handle says "Frank Mossberg Co Attelboro Mass. USA". On the top of the head is "Patented March 30- 20" this refers to the patent of Walter Tuttle assigned to F. Mossberg (US1335409) for the head construction.
Photo No 005 shows the head with a screw holding it on which is not part of the patent. Photo No 003 shows wear on the frame at the rear of the handle, both these photos prove that the tool has spent its life being pulled back as you would when twisting wire tight, to the extent that the head has come adrift and had to be repaired.
I'm hoping you folk here can give me a definite purpose for this tool.
Cheers,
Geoff.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've never seen one of those before. I couldn't find it in the 1923 Walden catalog or in any of the hundreds of Walden magazine ads I have access to. They made a special wrench for connecting rods that is similar. It was essentially a lever attached to a worm gear in a housing on the end of a brace, but that wasn't forged on, it was pinned. If I am interpreting your photos correctly, the wire twisting apparatus is forged into the shank of the speed brace, correct?

 

[Modern Garage]

Are you sure it's not just a "quick change" bit holder for a standard brace? I guess the answer would be how wide are the jaws when locked closed in each position of the moveable jaw?
I'm guessing the lever handle over-centers to lock the jaws, otherwise it seems it would require three hands to operate. If the jaws "self apply" under pressure or tension that may point to whether this was designed to push or pull in use.
Joe

 

[MR.X]

Well the 611 number doesn't help much as that was originally a fixed 9/16 socket speed wrench so looks like whatever it is was added to an existing platform.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I was looking at that, X, but did you see the Mossberg logo directly to the right of it, bookending the number as usual? There's no room for another digit there. Strange right? As you suggest, I suppose they modified one. But is the apparatus forged on? Or welded? The shank of a 611 wouldn't flare like that, right? Head scratcher.

 

[Boringgeoff]

Some more photos and also apologies for yesterday posting a couple twice. They should have been No's 020 & 021 which are detail of the jaw end of the tool.
Yes Lugz joint is forged 3 photos of the join. I had wondered if the tool was added to the brace but it's a pretty neat join if that's the case.
MG you are correct when a thin piece of wire is inserted in the jaw the handle over-centres and locks.
G.