Another of my recent acquisitions is this Clarence E. Williams patented quick adjust wrench. Patented January 2, 1900, patent 640,610. Williams was from Worcester Mass per the patent document, this wrench was purchased at an estate sale buy the eBay seller. What is interesting about the wrench is that it is the only one known at this time and the dynamic jaw is a brass casting. My thinking is that this is a prototype for the patent. There is evidence of welding on the lever arm to increase the cam action required to lock the wrench into position. The wrench conforms to the patent and was recently added to the DATAMP database. I feel I lucked out again on this one because the listing was a standard auction listing with the bid option or a best offer option that I have seen more of lately.   I entered a bid on the first day and kept an eye on the listing. After several days there were about 6 guys watching and no other bids. I offered a price and within the time requirement it was accepted. I really like this one and it is in exceptional condition.

Great find!

Very nice.
Shame that it never caught hold.
But then it wouldn't be as rare, would it!

Congrats on another fantastic old quick-adjust Les. I'll bet you are right, it probably is a pre-production prototype. Which makes it all the more fascinating of course. (And I wonder what else was sold at that estate sale....)

It is a real beauty.  Love the steel/brass/wood makeup.
How long before we see it in one of your display cases?

It is already in one of the group cases not in a stand alone case. Too many rare wrenches to have a special case for each one.

Very nice!! Thanks for posting!!!