Oldest Klein pliers $5k contest

[padronanniversary]

I have some from 39 and you guys got me beat

 

[Davefr]

Can anyone beat August 1907??

 

[Rusty Musket]

Anybody know when these fit into the timeline?

One is stamped "2RL" on each handle which would be '93?

The other looks like "SFJ" and "5RJ" (different stamp on each handle)

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

looks more like a 5rj to me, the top of that looks more flat

 

[Brians VWss]

I have a pair 4-13 linesman. I entered the contest hope to win.

 

[ADSR]

Can anyone beat August 1907??

Nice! Anymore pictures?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Dave, wow, those are awesome!

 

[mrmikey32]

damn....

Well, I lost this contest.

 

[Man of Many Vices]

i don't think it qualifies as they are looking for the logo with the pole and lineman on it. it still wouldn't hurt to enter though there is an online form. what do you have to lose? a pair of pliers and a few minutes of your time?

I have a pair with similar markings as Bryan Burns's pliers. Mine says, "M.KLEIN&SONS 4-4-4." The name is stamped exactly as in Bryan's, but what I hope is the date is stamped much deeper, and in a larger typeface.

My pliers are different than any I have seen on this posting. The handle curve begins further away from the jaws; the widest part is about 1/3 toward the end of the handle, and 2/3 away from the jaws.

I got them at the swap meet last Saturday, with another Klein lineman pliers from 1958 (you guys got me looking!) and a Proto hose clamp pliers. All three for $10.

I don't think mine is a winner, though. It does not have the lineman/pole logo -- unless it is very faint -- and the 4-4-4 doesn't make sense for a date (1904? I wish.)

 

[Man of Many Vices]

Hey, Davefr (and everybody):
I think your pliers say 3-7, not 8-7, based on the little bulb of a serif at the top left "corner" of the number, rather than a full loop forming the top of an 8. That may translate to the third quarter of the year. What year? The numeral following the dash is only the single digit 7, not a double digit 07 that would clearly indicate 1907.

I hope you are right (and I think you are). If so, my 4-4-4 would be April 4, 1904!

 

[Rdahlberg]

I have a pair from January 1917 that are in near perfect condition. Everything is clearly readable. I even tried the cutters and their Sharper than my newest pair I use every day. Hopefully they go by that and not this guys 1911 that isn't in as good of shape

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

My linesman's pliers seem to be from 1927...I thought that was old, but not in this league! They are functionally perfect...no slop at all. Former Bell employment.

 

[Outlawmws]

Did anyone save the Klein pliers date code system for the pliers? I can't find it if I did...

 

[sselander]

Klein markings:

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks!

 

[nine4gmc]

Old thread bump. I have a pair of linesman with "RKSM" on the handles, what does that mean?

 

[jpickar]

NINE,
There are only suppose to be three letters. And so I am not sure. R is 9, K is 2, S there is no designation for and M is 1.
The first letter is the quater of manufacture. So 9 is not right. The second two letters is the year of manufacture 21 is 1921 but I can't say because the quarter of manufacture can only be 1 thru 4

Here is the code
M K L E I N C O R P
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

I don't know anything more than that.

John

 

[nine4gmc]

These must be post 1972 then.


Sent from my iThingy using Tapatalk

 

[jpickar]

They could be, But I have several pairs from 1910 to 1990's and except for when they used the numbers in the early part of the 1900's All of them have 3 letter codes. I do have side cutters and needle nose pliers that have the 4 letter code.

I don't know.

John