Rough 6" Queen City Bergman adjustable

[Papaw]

This one is in very rough condition.

[Plyerman]

You say very rough, but it still looks pretty nice to me.

So question; I've heard that square hole on the end referred to as a prest-o-lite wrench, but what exactly does that mean?

[Papaw]

Used to open and close valves on things like air and gas bottles, think welding gas.

[Plyerman]

Hah, what a coincidence. I was just looking through last March's issue of the MVWC newsletter tonight and saw this:

[Papaw]

If anyone ever sees one of those displays for sale, I'd like to know!

[john]

The gas tank on the running board of pre-1915 brass era cars was often Prestolite gas for the headlamps. 

[mvwcnews]

So question; I've heard that square hole on the end referred to as a prest-o-lite wrench, but what exactly does that mean?

Specifically, PrestOLite was bottled acetylene for "gas" headlights on automobiles, etc. before they had electrical systems robust enough for electric lights. ( Pre WWI ).  The valve had a square stud, and you needed a small wrench to open & close the valve.  You can find pocket knife blades, bottle openers, etc. with a square wrench opening that fit the PrestOLite valve.   The link is for  a 1904 MOTOR AGE article about the "startup" for the product.
( https://books.google.com/books?id=w6oAAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA7-PA14&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U2h1CVYWnpeehH1N5_VZnrm7v9JIw&ci=23%2C396%2C340%2C840&edge=0 )
It does not show the tank or wrench.

(addendum)  { https://books.google.com/books?id=IKcyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA161&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U2li2oYWtq6uu7ZpeVmkE4bs_f-lQ&ci=378%2C914%2C537%2C533&edge=0 } shows a 1911 Mossberg "new product" piece for a combination screwdriver, bottle opener & Prest-O-Lite key -- there's one for you Mossberg fanciers to look out for! ( / addendum )

The 1/4" square or 3/8" square openings in adjustable wrench handles probably were for set screws, etc. although there are valves in refrigeration (even modern air conditioners & heat pumps ) that have  1/4" square ends.

[Chillylulu]

Hah, what a coincidence. I was just looking through last March's issue of the MVWC newsletter tonight and saw this:

Plyerman,

I match your coincidence and raise you one....

Coincidence - for me it is while reading this and seeing your picture and then looking over at my desk and seeing the same wrench as is in the ad above:


It is really rusted, but I think that if it isn't the same, it is at least a family member.

Chilly

[HeelSpur]

Hah, what a coincidence. I was just looking through last March's issue of the MVWC newsletter tonight and saw this:

Plyerman,

I match your coincidence and raise you one....

Coincidence - for me it is while reading this and seeing your picture and then looking over at my desk and seeing the same wrench as is in the ad above:


It is really rusted, but I think that if it isn't the same, it is at least a family member.

Chilly

Looks pretty close except for the curved handle at the end, now I got to find one.

[Yadda]

Eagle Claw pliers are monsters.