Wrench Pattern Molds

[Twertsy]

I thought you folks would enjoy these.  Picked them up a local monthly flea here in Northern VA.  They are from the Appomattox Iron Works, founded sometime between 1810 and 1825.  Given the thickness, I'm putting them in the mid to late 1800's range.  He had thousands of patterns, all from AIW and I snapped a pic of one that had a label for posterity.  Here's a link to the Library of Congress pictures of the works: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/va0817/

Enjoy.

[Bill Houghton]

Interesting.  Cast steel, do you suppose?

[Twertsy]

I would have to guess cast steel, yes.  These are the models for the molds, made out of wood.  I just thought they were very cool and had to have them.  Now I'm on a mission to find out who the might have made wrenches for.....