These three pliers comprised lot #415 of last spring's MVWC auction. They didn't really fit the "multi-purpose" criteria of my tool collection, but hey, I've got a soft spot for brass and bronze gadgets, so I threw a low-ish bid at them. Next thing you know, here they are. Now I wonder what I have??
The bottom tool is about 7 inches long, and has no markings on it. The construction is rather crude. The jaws are flat, with no teeth. For all I know it may just be an old non-sparking plier, with no special purpose intended??
The middle tool is about 5-1/2 inches long, with an unusual contour to the jaws. One handle is stamped Weiss-Denver, the other is stamped EMENO. Plugging that info into Google, I found mention of a Weiss Instrument company in Denver that produced optical equipment. And an ad in a 1922 trade magazine that references the "Weiss Emeno Crest Plier." My guess is that these pliers were used by opticians to adjust the nose bridge (or "crest") of eyeglasses. Any thoughts on that theory?
And finally, the top tool is 9 inches long and is marked only "BB". There is a conical shape on one jaw, and a second jaw with a "form" that fits closely over the first one. (see photo) They remind me of stove pipe crimpers, but the form would not be correct, and why would they be made from brass? I have no idea. Any suggestions on what they could be?
