P&C Combination Wrench Variations

[Provincial]

Twertsy's discussion of when Plomb introduced the pebble pattern made me reflect on the variations of P&C combination wrenches. I had noticed that these wrenches had at least four forging patterns over the years, and probably more. The biggest variation came in the 1940's, when the "thin-jaw" pattern was superseded by one identical to the late 1930's Plomb pattern.

If Plomb transitioned to the pebble pattern during WWII, the forging dies for the older style would have been too precious to scrap, and it looks like they were transferred to P&C to live out their useful lives.

Compare the illustrations of combination wrenches in the 1939 and 1948 P&C catalogs to see what I am talking about.

Does anyone have more information on this?

 

[twertsy]

Twertsy's discussion of when Plomb introduced the pebble pattern made me reflect on the variations of P&C combination wrenches. I had noticed that these wrenches had at least four forging patterns over the years, and probably more. The biggest variation came in the 1940's, when the "thin-jaw" pattern was superseded by one identical to the late 1930's Plomb pattern.

If Plomb transitioned to the pebble pattern during WWII, the forging dies for the older style would have been too precious to scrap, and it looks like they were transferred to P&C to live out their useful lives.

Compare the illustrations of combination wrenches in the 1939 and 1948 P&C catalogs to see what I am talking about.

Does anyone have more information on this?

I haven't touched that one yet, particularly because P&C isn't overly plentiful here on the east coast. I do have some newer combos, but the older stuff is hard to come by here.