Pliers; How Many Is Too Many?

[RTM]

Well, half of it, at least, was manufactured in 1963.

Or maybe that was on the same leg as the 4, then what ? Really long Work in Progress time?

 

[LesserSon]

There are multiple date codes on some Snap-on tools - two (rarely) and even three (more rarely).
A careful look at the photos reveals that in this case, the “3” and the “4” are on the separate legs. Multi-component tools like pliers it’s plausible to assume that the individual components were stamped prior to assembly, so late December and early January forgings could have been mated, producing something like that. If both codes were on a single leg, then I could still see one shift was stamping a pile of them prior to assembly (the “3” is on the inside of the grip) late December, then January another shift doesn’t notice the stamp on the underside and stamps the cheek (“4”).
But multi-date codes also show up on individual things like sockets, extensions and drive tools. My impression is these are usually early production. Some people say this indicates they were stamped at time of production and again at time of sale, to track more specifically when a warranty would expire (S/O’s warranty evolved over time and varied with some tools). But this seems to suggest that not just factory, but also sales agents, had sets of the special font dies, which seems less manageable to me, and places a lot of disgression into the hands of sales. If date code stamps were all lightly-impressed, I’d have an easier time believing it, but many stamps are quite deep, leading me to think the equipment for making them wasn’t just a hammer.
And maybe there isn’t a single explanation that covers all multi-struck codes. If you search the Vintage Snap-on thread with “multiple date code” the topic is discussed occasionally.

 

[Skyman]

Another fresh addition that I'm pleased to have. It appears to have been only very lightly used.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It appears to have been only very lightly used.

Indeed! Almost picture perfect!


1942

One thing that has helped preserve its condition is the "later" (relatively speaking) production. The tells on that are the model number, only the last patent, and the black rustproofing. All of the early production had no model numbers, all the early patents, and it was nickel plated. I just found and posted a 5-1/2" pair on the Schollhorn thread, completing their lineup (4-1/2", 5-1/2", 6-1/2", and 8"), linked here. Only my 8-incher is later and it, too, is in the best condition.

Nice find.

 

[Skyman]

Thanks for the info, Lugz. So this new arrival of mine was minted in '42? Its finish appears to be a black oxide.

I took a quick look at the Schollhorn thread you linked, and will head back over there now.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

So this new arrival of mine was minted in '42?

No, that's the date of the catalog. I don't know of a precise way to date the later production, but it's not out of the question for wartime. They sold tons of them to the Infantry and Ordnance Dept. All of mine of this type (easily their most famous and popular), except the 8-incher, have the 1890 (parallel jaws), 1892 (cutter), 1907 (first handle forming process) and 1913 (last handle forming process) patent markings. At some point they finally stopped marking them with the early patent markings, which were all expired anyway, and adopted model numbers. My 8-incher is similar to the 6-1/2-incher you just found with only the last patent on it, which expired in 1930.

 

[Skyman]

Thanks for the clarification and additional info. Muchly appreciated!

 

[MisterEd]

Smith & Hemenway “Red Devil” 926 Slip Joint Plier with Bent Nose

 

[Skyman]

I like the Interstate Highway shield-looking logo on that one.

 

[WisJim]

Here's one that I picked up today. I won a box of miscellaneous tools at an online estate auction, and this is what I wanted out of the box. There were 5 other pairs of pliers, which I need to sort out and clean up, but this "Easy Vise" by Ag-Tronic in Hastings, Nebraska was something I hadn't seen before. It's marked with patent numbers 2,751,801 and 3,116,656. More info and other manufacturers on DATAMP.

 

[JMP]

Just a selection of slip joints from the plier drawer.

 

[MisterEd]

“PROTO LOS ANGELES” 218 Angle Nose Battery Plier

 

[Oregon Dave]

“PROTO LOS ANGELES” 218 Angle Nose Battery Plier

Great to come across these manifestations of 'old school' creativity, design and skilled craftmanship - great product - grateful users and most likely produced without an accountant or sales department sign-offs. Nice descriptive picture portfolio also, by the way.

 

[WisJim]

The other 5 pliers that I got the other day in a miscellaneous box. From left to right, 2 with a "WH" in a circle, CeeTee, J.P.Danielson, and a Utica (number is illegible).

 

[Private Lugnutz]

2 with a "WH" in a circle,

Most likely MH in a circle and McKaig-Hatch.

 

[WisJim]

Most likely MH in a circle and McKaig-Hatch.

That makes sense, I need to get them cleaned up and look closer.

 

[LesserSon]

Utica (number is illegible).

I think that Utica is a model number 8 - that’s what I see. I can’t make out the length, is it 7 inch? So “8-7”?

 

[WisJim]

I think that Utica is a model number 8 - that’s what I see. I can’t make out the length, is it 7 inch? So “8-7”?

Looks like 8-6, and they measure about 6 1/2" overall.

 

[rustyedge1]

Marked WEILAND GERMANY nice small side cut Interesting handle make up. I don’t know much about the company.

 

[four.cycle]

Weiland / C. Weiland / pliers / no information / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...an-a-virtual-tour.468584/page-19#post-9470624 /

 

[rustyedge1]

Weiland / C. Weiland / pliers / no information / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...an-a-virtual-tour.468584/page-19#post-9470624 /

After closer look these are marked C Wieland

 

[LesserSon]

Fresh from the local flea market: JM King & Co Waterford NY Button Pliers, Utica 3ovals Giant Buttons, Utica 1000 Buttons, PS&W gas pliers.
EDIT: I was digging into WX Stevens (inventor of button pliers) and learned his first name was William, he worked as an engineer, patent attorney and patent inspector, retired to and died in California. His grandfather Jeduthan Stevens, founder of East Brookfield MA, was a veteran of the Revolution and Shays Rebellion. I did not learn why the are called “button pliers.”

 

[d42jeep]

I couldn’t find any brand markings on these pliers I picked up yesterday at a yard sale. Anyone recognize them?
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Don, I'm thinking German import?


I'm in the same boat on this pair. Slip joint stubby needle nose:



I peeled the dried out tape off last might - no joy...

 

[Skyman]

Can you post photos of the grips? Might help to identify them.

 

[rustyedge1]

I couldn’t find any brand markings on these pliers I picked up yesterday at a yard sale. Anyone recognize them?
-Don

They resemble the C WEILAND I posted a couple days ago.

 

[Outlawmws]

Can you post photos of the grips? Might help to identify them.

Well that was both unproductive and productive...

Grips are plain and "As Forged", not even ground smooth like so many Euro pliers are. I was outside with lighter fluid trying to get the black tape residue off. I got just as much red as black...






But I got the sun on them and spotted some VERY fine lettering that was invisible in house light:

"MANSCO"
1575-6"
"GERMANY"

 

[mickeyone]

Volkswagon/german auto tool kit pliers,Igot them with my 65 Karmann Ghia in cloth tool wrap

 

[LesserSon]

This pir of slipjoints was in a box I bought recently. I do not recognize “Mc.D U.S.A.” Anyone know?

 

[Outlawmws]

I do not recognize “Mc.D U.S.A.” Anyone know?

Nope, and I have 162 different plies brands listed...

 

[d42jeep]

I checked four.cycle’s list and didn’t see any likely candidates in the McD area.
-Don

 

[Oregon Dave]

This pir of slipjoints was in a box I bought recently. I do not recognize “Mc.D U.S.A.” Anyone know?

McKaig Drop Forge Co. Possibly

 

[four.cycle]

^ That triangular-shaped depression (with the rounded corners) looks somewhat familiar, although the shape of it appears slightly different than these "no-name" models I picked up several months back:

 

[four.cycle]

 

[Outlawmws]

McKaig Drop Forge Co. Possibly

Was McKaig Drop forge a different era than McKaig -Hatch?

 

[four.cycle]

McKaig / McKaig Drop Forge Co., 14 Perry St., Buffalo, NY / see McKaig-Hatch /

McKaig-Hatch / McKaig-Hatch Inc., Buffalo, NY / patent 1698474 Jan 8 1929 Hugh J. Friedl / http://alloy-artifacts.org/mckaig-hatch.html /

 

[LesserSon]

The triangular stamp reminds me of Harrold, but it’s not the same. McKaig Drop [forge] does not work, either: what Mc- would abbreviate their name “Mc.” and also “MC.” on the other side. When did any drop forge go by just “Drop?”
I think it could be a “McD” despite the interrupting period.

 

[four.cycle]

The triangular stamp reminds me of Harrold, but it’s not the same.

^ watch for another specimen your mailbox. You'll be able to do side-by-side comparison.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

"Mc.D U.S.A.” Anyone know?

Does it smell like french fries?

 

[Oregon Dave]

^ That triangular-shaped depression (with the rounded corners) looks somewhat familiar, although the shape of it appears slightly different than these "no-name" models I picked up several months back:

First, Thank-You for the tremendous contribution of your Manf. List and all the additional information you share.

I am curious if the forge/impressed/stamped triangle in on the bottom handle also? Thanks
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