I ventured out in the rain today to a Collectables Store that I've never stopped at before. AKA junk shop. Lots of tools of all types but in a bin of run of the mill old style adjustable wrenches Coes, Bemis Call etc I spied this 12 inch Coes Automobile wrench that per Herb Page's book was only made between 1909 and 1918 and he valued it at $150 in 2005. I had to pay a whole $5 for it. I cleaned it a little and I'll find a home for it in my collection.

Yesterday I would have said that the term Coe's Automobile Wrench was a contradiction in terms.
But that was yesterday.

Super find, Les!

BTW, it is odd to see the adjustment wheel on the movable jaw.  Seems that it would be less convenient.  Did any other manufacturers put it there?

my favorite place...junk shop

Nice find, I think that's the first one like that I've ever seen.

Lewill2,  I have one also that I did not pay too much attention to until I saw what Herb Page gave for a value,
now I keep it in another place.

Attached photo is the COES AUTO 12 inch & 6 inch (both have the COES AUTO in a wheel trade mark) and a copy of a period ad -- part of Dan Gaier's display at the fall meet.
I have both & mine are also both stamped DORRIS (an early St. Louis automobile brand. )
The 6 inch COES AUTO is a lighter slimmer version of the 6 inch COES steel handle wrench; the difference is clear when both are side by side.

The big ones were supposedly only made in 12 inch size but about 2 maybe 3 years ago there was one on eBay that was 16 inches long. I was out bid, it sold for just under $200. It looked to be slightly bigger in the jaw areas than the 12 inch ones. Not sure if it was a real one or a fantasy piece.

 I located mine today. it is also 12"   on the upper jaw;  "COE'S WRENCH CO. Worcester, MASS. USA

on the oposite side of the upper jaw;   AUTO  COE'S inside the wheel.

so far, have not seen any other markings on it.

I will have to start checking my other wrenches after seeing the 6" that Stan put up.  with the adjusting nut
in a differant location, I may have missed one.

being only about 36 miles from Worcester, ya never know whats out there.

Quote from: Northwoods on October 28, 2015, 07:08:49 PM
BTW, it is odd to see the adjustment wheel on the movable jaw.  Seems that it would be less convenient.  Did any other manufacturers put it there?

Here is one I just posted on another thread.Marked,"A G&J Product" inside a diamond. As you can see it is a bit smaller.