Strange Wrench

[thiggy]

My wife got this adjustable wrench at an estate sale this afternoon.  I have never seen one just like it.  I cannot find any maker's mark on it, but the neck has "46" stamped in it.  Does anyone have any idea what was the purpose of this tool?

[Lewill2]

Combination nut and pipe wrench.

[Papaw]

Commonly called a Combination Nut and Pipe Wrench- combination of a pipe wrench and a monkey wrench.

[turnnut]

looks like  BEMIS & CALL made in Springfield, Massachusetts.

will have to check out number 46 tho.

[thiggy]

Thanks for the responses folks.  I guess I was looking for a little more esoteric answer when the simple should be obvious.   

[rusty]

Not esoteric, no, but that wrench is worth a little study. Many features on that wrench become important in the evoloution of later wrenches. Serrated teeth, a captive adjusting nut, and a head with a lead-in angle to improve bite on the pipe are traceable mainly to this design....

[Papaw]

It was important that it could work on both the axle nuts of the day, and on the shaft of a wagon or buggy, as well as on pipe.

[Lewill2]

Several different makers for that style of wrench and there are several different patents. Some were available with a pipe cutter wheel that attached to the pipe jaw side of the wrench.