Fred has learned that I have an interest in old tools and he showed me these. He found them in an old basement near Ithaca NY. The pliers came from a file cabinet with a lot of old tools and the wrench was in the dirt on the floor.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tC3TfZbr/IMG-8260.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
AA says these are rare... Utica pistol grip pliers...
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gmb21Lhb/IMG-8261.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The bicycle wrench is in remarkable condition. I guess these qualify as a multitool because of the "hammerhead" on top.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wBvj7wmP/IMG-8263.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The only mark is a circle or oval - the stamping inside the circle is hard to read - the above line contains an "N" and the lower line appears to be "GERMANY". It could say "made in Germany" or possibly a makers name and "Germany". Not even 100% sure it says Germany. Anyone seen these before and maybe has one that the mark is legible?
Al
(https://i.postimg.cc/2ST5ksVh/IMG-8262.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Those pliers are the bee's knees. looks like you could get a real good bite with those. Never seen like that before.
EvilDr235
I'm willing to bet that wrench says "Made in W. Germany". I kinda see the barest evidence of a "W" on the left edge. So probably post war, and good quality as the Germans know how to forge steel and are smart cookies with design.
And those Utica pistol-grip pliers are primo as well.
I'm loving those pistol grip pliers. I've seen pictures before, but never laid hands on a pair. Seems like they would be pretty handy in certain situations.
Hmmm, I found this Utica patent from 1945 over on Datamp. I had been thinking this design was older than that..?
http://www.datamp.org/patents/advance.php?pn=D142867&id=52690&set=15
(http://www.datamp.org/images/52690-1.jpg)
1951 UTICA No. 550 Pistol Grip Pliers ad / write-up was shown on pg. 18 of the March 2018 MVWC Newsletter. So the implication is they came into production just after WWII.
Huh, I thought pistol-grip pliers were a modern and mostly German (NWS) thing. Might be looking for a pair myself--they look quite handy. Most sold today seem to be more focused around electrical work.
Hey Al. Those are pretty nice tools!!! Glad to see the Utica pliers stayed in the area!! Regards, Lou
The Utica Pistol Grip Pliers regularly sell on eBay fro 48 to 58 dollars! (Includes shipping). If you could find them at a flea market or swap meet I bet the price would be reasonable. Something to watch for.
Al