I have never seen one of these, but there are many on line. The crazy thing is I got TWO in the same box of tools! I guess the guy wanted a spare. I am listing one on Ebay tonight, but keeping one for the collection. I love these "multi tools". Except for the wrench, I guess these would make great fence pliers, but were probably meant for the car.

Now those look like the offspring of an unnatural mating between tools of different species!

 If it was me I'd keep the one with the thumbscrew. They are normally missing or broken.

Jim, that's the one I'm keeping. What is the purpose for it anyway?

I think the thumbscrew was to limit the closure of the pliers.

I think I remember that these were made for, and used by,the people that repaired windmills.

Mike

Probably after they advertised the windmills were so simple to set up and install you could put them together with a single tool.

And then someone asked for the single tool....

A little more info.

The Matthews "Never Stall" Monkey Wrench Combination Tool was made and marketed by The Thomas Mfg. Co. of Dayton, Ohio. The Patent No. was 933,860 with a Patent date of Sept. 14, 1909. It was known as the Windmill Tool. This tool was supposed to be all you ever needed when you climbed up a windmill tower. Their ads pointed out that the Windmill Tool did the work of fifteen different tools. Make that sixteen counting bodily injury.

Thanks to the PAST web site for the above.

Mike

Wow...Those Are Awesome Tools!

Item # on ebay? I like them

Here it is

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EARLY-MATHEWS-NEVER-STALL-MULTI-PURPOSE-PLIER-WRENCH-/350798830640?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51ad3d5c30

Thanks for the info and posting my Ebay listing. I was glad to get two so I could "share". 

A happy jr. member here bought my extra. Glad to share when I get duplicates in my collection.

Check out Ebay item 311337816009-----going  for good amount

All you needed when you climbed the windmill, right up to the time you dropped it, at which point you had to climb down, pick up the tool, wipe off the cow exhaust, climb up...where does the lanyard attach?