Samson LeverJaw Locking Plier

[bonneyman]

A Vise-Grip type of plier. A bit more crude construction, but a more intricate adjustment knob and pivot point. Overall I like them. I prefer the ViseGrip feel and fit (though that may just be familiarity), but I could get used to the LeverJaws. All I've ever seen is a 8" version - don't know if they made any other sizes.

Here's the patent:
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=2705899&id=34345

Anybody else have examples or info to share?

 

[Farmall 1066]

Had a pair of those in a tractor toolbox growing up.
They look Vise-Gripish, but they weren't too good, with no release lever.

 

[four.cycle]

Metal Engineering Co., 134 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL. / http://toolarchives.com/node/621 / patent 2,705,899 /

Samson / Metal Engineering Co., Plano, Illinois / Metcoid / (see Metal Engineering Co.) /

 

[bonneyman]

I like the bigger size of the adjustment knob, makes it easier to turn when your hand s are grimey. And - until I knew they were kinda vintage - I'd use them on the crummy jobs to save my Vise Grips.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I like the bigger size of the adjustment knob,

I love the big acorn or bullet knob! Just picked these up at the flea market on Friday. Cleaned up well. I'm not sure that is the right patent linked in your first post, though. These Samson Lever-Jaw locking plier-wrenches are older and were made by the Wm. Truman Tool Company, not METCOID. I don't know if the name is just a coincidence, or METCOID spun theirs off on the W. Truman design.

 

[woody 73]

Metcoid not much information a tough nut to crack...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344271&highlight=metcoid

 

[d42jeep]

Here are the Samson vise grip pliers I found at an estate sale yesterday.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

I collected this "voucher specimen" at a local Junque Shoppe yesterday. It was the "bullet" screw that caught my eye:



I got access to the brewhouse ultrasonic cleaner today, so a half-hour in hot lye solution and a quick spray and wipe with CLP later:





The plunger for adjustment on mine isn't pinned or retained, so when the adjustment is backed off, the plunger tends to pull out of the screw:



It's a tight fit towards the closest jaw adjustment and sticks there. Maybe from being clamped in a vise? The rest of the travel, the plunger follows the screw.

I notice that one other of the specimens shown here has not only lived a hard life, but also bears the marks of vise jaws. I can recall using Vise Grips in a vise once or twice, but these look like it was SOP.

I also notice that all of them are stamped "PAT APPLD FOR". I guess that patent was never issued.

 

[Beerhippie]

This morning I carefully clamped the front of the "wrench" in a vise and used a large pry-bar to open the handle channel a little. The adjusting plunger now moves freely!

However, with the adjustment all the way in, these barely grip a piece of 1/8" steel. They were not made for small stuff.

 

[four.cycle]

These Samson Lever-Jaw locking plier-wrenches are older and were made by the Wm. Truman Tool Company, not METCOID. I don't know if the name is just a coincidence, or METCOID spun theirs off on the W. Truman design.

I've got a "Metal Engineering Company" print ad touting the "Samson Lever Jaw Wrench", as well as your "Truman" advertisement (with the $2.00 price) IN the "Metal Engineering Co" folder.


Maybe.... Mr. Truman was just a distributor?

 

[d42jeep]

I united my Samson tools for a photo op today.
-Don

 

[Zrxrunner]

Side note about the older Metcoid post. I don't know where it went, but I have had metcoid combo wrenches that match pretty well spot on to the Samson one you have. Build construction and font size and style

 

[d42jeep]

I found another pair of Samson locking vise grip type pliers yesterday. They are in the evaporust so all I have are before pictures.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

They came out of the evaporust today looking much better.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Another pair of Samson locking pliers found yesterday. I would start leaving these behind but the adjuster is just too cool.
-Don

 

[larry4406]

They came out of the evaporust today looking much better.
-Don

Is this an owner's mark?

 

[four.cycle]

^ I'd vote yes.