Who makes these pliers?

[ryan20021982]

Can anyone tell who makes either of these pliers? The pair on the right are all metal side cutters and says (w germany) but no company name, the pair on the left do not have any markings except for someone's name engraved but by the feel and the very tight tolerance of them it's hard for me to believe they are not a good name brand. Got both for $1 each so I don't really care but just curious. Thanks

 

[BMack37]

The needlenose look like Xcelite 56cg, the new models have green grips

 

[ryan20021982]

Wow that was quick, pretty sure your right, I googled Xcelite 56cg and the first result for images is a pic of the exact pair. Thanks

 

[T45]

They look possibly like ex-military. Which means they probably are something decent, if not absolutely top shelf. Also that someone bothered to keep them around. The pattern is a stock pattern diagonal and needle nose from what I can see.

How hard are the cutting edges/? They look to have a bit of wear on them. That's probably another datapoint, and one that will impact usability and possibly value should you try to sell them.

 

[ryan20021982]

They look possibly like ex-military. Which means they probably are something decent, if not absolutely top shelf. Also that someone bothered to keep them around. The pattern is a stock pattern diagonal and needle nose from what I can see.

How hard are the cutting edges/? They look to have a bit of wear on them. That's probably another datapoint, and one that will impact usability and possibly value should you try to sell them.

The cutting edge is a little beat up but they close perfect just need cleaned up a bit, I cut some 12ga solid wire and went right through it as it should, Everything looks good on them just need some tlc but i'm not selling either just curious who makes them.

I did find the exact pair on ebay but no name there either
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-W-G...085635?hash=item41a7065a43:g:UHoAAOSw9mFWHZg-

 

[Rileysan]

I believe they are vintage Oxwall cutters. If WWII, they would say Germany. If post-war (1945-1949), they would be stamped "British zone". If later than 1949, they would say W. Germany

 

[ryan20021982]

I believe they are vintage Oxwall cutters. If WWII, they would say Germany. If post-war (1945-1949), they would be stamped "British zone". If later than 1949, they would say W. Germany

Was just looking at some Oxwall cutters and what you said makes sense since the ones I was looking at were stamped British Zone and these don't so these would be after 1949 then.

 

[Rileysan]

Was just looking at some Oxwall cutters and what you said makes sense since the ones I was looking at were stamped British Zone and these don't so these would be after 1949 then.

Just a random history lesson -

After WWII, the United States, Great Britain, France, and USSR divided Germany into "Allied-Occupied" zones. From 1945 to 1949, the US and Britain shared zones and under their administration, restarted essential government services (like the postal system - of which I am a student) and industry. Industrial goods under this administration were labeled "British Zone". I believe this was done to avoid concerns over embargos of goods made by Nazi Germany (labeled "Deutches Reich") or by Soviet controlled zones. In 1949, the 3 allies (France, Great Britain, and USA) created the Federal Republic of Germany (AKA: FRD or West Germany) and goods were labeled accordingly.

Eras of Oxwall tools can be identified by the aforementioned markings.

Brian