National (Trade Mark) Pipe Wrench - Any insights?

[lbgradwell]

A couple of months ago I acquired a pipe wrench by National. They are fairly common in Canada (at least in Southern Ontario) and I bought it because I am trying to trace the history of the company.

Here are a few shots from after I removed the copious rust and gave her a fresh coat of paint. It was red originally like most pipe wrenches (for some reason  scratchhead) but green was what I had in Tremclad!








National used to be the pipe wrench supplier for Gray Tools as can be seen in the 1950 Gray catalogue excerpt.




I have reason to believe this is the same company that began as the Perfect Pipe Wrench Co. Ltd. of Galt (now Cambridge), Ontario.

1948 ad:




An article in the February 3, 2011 edition of the Cambridge Times, when talking about a former school building, says:

The other missing school is Victoria. In the early 1940s, it became the Galt Aircraft School.

When the Second World War ended, so did the aircraft school and in the late 1940,s it turned into the Perfect Pipe Wrench Company.

At its demise by demolition in 1956, it was known as the National Tool Company.

I would like to confirm the Perfect Pipe Wrench Company that became the National Tool Company is indeed the same as the "Trade NATIONAL Mark" wrench by National Tool Distributors Ltd. Toronto Canada. I'd also like to know if the company moved production to Toronto from Galt at some point, or if the company was merely headquartered there.

Any insights?

[Plyerman]

I got no insights for you lb, but I will say that's a mighty fine looking wrench you got there. I like the dark forest green look.

[OilyRascal]

I highly respect your drive to understand these things.  Nice job on the restore.  You're motivating me to go finish some pipe wrenches.  sorry no help here on the background, but I'll be watching to learn.

[lbgradwell]

Thanks boys; it looked like crap when I bought it, so I had to do something...

[Plyerman]

Well, I wouldn't exactly say that it was a crap-looker before, but it does definitely look better now.



So now you need to collect all 8 sizes, and paint each one a different color.

[HeelSpur]

Just how did you get that jaw so clean?

[lbgradwell]

Just how did you get that jaw so clean?

[stanley62]

Looks nice, but if it doesn't come off with a brass brush, it is staying on any tool i have.  It takes too many years to get that nice patina to wire brush it all away. 
Just my opinion...

Jim

[lbgradwell]

I'd say most collectors would agree with you, Jim...