What is this?

[freudianfloyd]

Saw this in an ad for a garage sale and have never seen one of these before. It looks like a flex head adjustable wrench with extra parts, but I can't imagine it would work great for that.

 

[bonneyman]

Looks like a brace and a moveable jaws wrench got too cozy in the carpenters toolbox.

 

[bbbarracuda]

Not a clue what it is. But, i would buy it in a heartbeat!

 

[RTM]

Think it’s called a brace wrench. Been a few posted here, will find a link in a few. Think Lowentraut holds (used) the patent. Yup. P Lowentraut Mfg. Samuel J Johnson patentee.

US Patent: 674,735 - Combination tool (brace wrench)

US patent 674,735 Combination tool (brace wrench) was issued to Samuel J. Johnston of Leesburg, VA. It was granted on 05/21/1901. The 20TH CENTURY / PAT. MAY 21, 1901 brace wrench has . "P. LOWENTRAUT MFG.CO. NEWARK N.J. and "TERRITORIES FOR SALE BY S.J.JOHNSTON, LEESBURG,VA". st

datamp.org

 

[freudianfloyd]

Think it’s called a brace wrench. Been a few posted here, will find a link in a few. Think Lowentraut holds (used) the patent. Yup. P Lowentraut Mfg. Samuel J Johnson patentee.

US Patent: 674,735 - Combination tool (brace wrench)

US patent 674,735 Combination tool (brace wrench) was issued to Samuel J. Johnston of Leesburg, VA. It was granted on 05/21/1901. The 20TH CENTURY / PAT. MAY 21, 1901 brace wrench has . "P. LOWENTRAUT MFG.CO. NEWARK N.J. and "TERRITORIES FOR SALE BY S.J.JOHNSTON, LEESBURG,VA". st

datamp.org

Yeah, I'd say that's it. I have never heard of such a thing. Looks like an early multi-tool. Pretty cool piece of history.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

There a few different variants of the Johnson contraption and also a rival McGinnity & Walker patent. Lowentraut, the mfgr, was a NJ company and my wish to find one cheap at one of my regular flea markets was finally granted a couple years ago. It's a sorrowful example, but they're not at all easy to find in the wild. (All about the hunt for me!) Badly pitted, handle busted, and missing the speed brace back end, but no way I was leaving it behind. The brace part ends with a bit that inserts into a tapered opening in the back of what I have and every time I'm at the flea and I see a bunch of old braces in a pile I look through them hoping to find it. No luck yet.

EDIT: Sheet 2 of the patent (Pic 6) and the highlighted excerpt (Pic 7) are the most telling.

 

[crguy]

Saw this in an ad for a garage sale and have never seen one of these before. It looks like a flex head adjustable wrench with extra parts, but I can't imagine it would work great for that.

I have several variations of those in good condition, but would be happy to buy another. That one is called "The Prince".

 

[freudianfloyd]

If anybody in the Cincinnati area is interested, pm me and I will send you a link to the ad.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks like an adjustable brace for square nuts. Awesome!