L. Coes & Co patent

[Northwoods]

I know there are a million Coes wrenches out there--and they have several different company names.

I am referring to a nice little 8" example with a spool handle and a split nut tap.  It is marked on one side:   L. COES & CO.   /   WORCESTER MASS.
And on the other                                        L. COES    /    PATD    /    MAY XXX  XXXX

The Davidstown Museum site gives several patent dates for L. Coes patents, but none for the month of May.

https://www.davistownmuseum.org/bioCoes.htm

Anyone know of a complete date on a May patent for L. Coes & Co.?

[mikeswrenches]

There are several May patents. Here they are in order:

5/25/1858.   G Taft.  20379
5/8/1860      L & A G Coes  28157
5/4/1869      G Taft    89702
5/17/1870    L Coes    103015
5/2/1871      A Coes    114505
5/14/1872    G Taft      R4902  Reissue of 88230
5/1/1888      J H & F L Coes   382138
5/15/1900    L Coes   D32656
5/13/1902    F Searle   699719


According to Herb Page, and if I counted correctly, the Coes Wrench Enterprises were issued 103 patents beginning 4/16/1841 and ending 8/7/1923.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[Northwoods]

Thanks, Mike.  You went to a lot of work.
I'm going to get out my mag glass and work my way through that list.

[mikeswrenches]

I looked a little closer and if I understand what you describe, the date is probably  May 4th, 1869. This is for George Taft’s patent no. 89702.

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=89702&typeCode=0

If you put the wrench on your bench with the jaws to the left, then the L. COES & CO should be on the top in a curve. Underneath that, and in a straight line, is WORCESTER and then MASS stamped under that. Turning it over it would be stamped: L. COES in a curve and under that PAT’D and under that MAY 4th, 1869 in a straight line.

I can’t be positive, but it also looks like the ferrule is a bit longer than on some of their other wrenches.
Mike

[Northwoods]

Mike, you do good work.  That is the wrench exactly.
I would say my ferrule is 1 1/8"
Changing systems, I would say that the end cap is 1 cm. and has a split nut.  I wonder if it is left handed like so many are--but I will not disturb it.
Mine does not have the feature with the adjustment lock described in the patent.  Don't ever remember seeing it.
BTW, do you have any idea why some are left-handed?
And is this the origin of the left-handed monkey wrench?

[mikeswrenches]

Thank you! I’m no help on the nuts or the origin of the left handed monkey wrench.

If you are really interested in the Coes wrenches Herb Pages book “The Brothers Coes and their Legacy of Wrenches” is well worth having.

Mike