Walton Wrench pipe wrench?

[trickyrabbit]

Hey, I'm new here. I picked up this wrench at a yard sale because I thought it looked cool. I cannot find it anywhere. If anyone can let me know how old it is or anything else about, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[DM11]

Dont know any thing about its history but it sure is a neat looking old wrench.

[RedVise]

[quote ]
I picked up this wrench at a yard sale because I thought it looked cool. [/quote]

Careful, those thoughts can lead to buying more tools !

It is a neat looking wrench, I cant help ID it, but would be surprised if you cant get an answer here.

Brian L.

[mikeswrenches]

Per Copes:

Maker, c1871, of wrenches patented August 1, 1871, by G.E. Phillips.  Incorporated in 1874 with $8000 capital as the Walton Wrench Mfg. Co.  The firm failed in 1875 and was reorganized as the Girard Wrench Co.

A relatively rare wrench.  Good find!

Mike

[rusty]

You have a good eye. Your wrench is interesting, and signifigant :)

Walton started as the T.B. Walton Company, and was renamed The Walton Wrench Manufacturing company. The intention was to produce several sizes of a wrench based on patent 117679  (Aug 1 1871, G.B. Phillips) and half the money came from Girard.

Yes, *that* Girard....

The venture failed, and was sold at Bankrupcy in 1875, and the assets became The Girard Wrench Manufacturing Co....

[mike beat me to it by 2 minutes LOL!]

[trickyrabbit]

Thanks for the info. I did find one place that said Walton Wrench was a reorganized at Girard Wrench but had no clue how old it was. So how rare is it? Also, about how much would it be worth? Thanks again for the info.

[mikeswrenches]

Tricky,  I made an assumption that I shouldn't have made with the reference to Copes.  This reference is to Kenneth L. Cope and his book American Wrench Makers 1830-1930.  An excellent reference that is still available.  I would highly recommend it if you want learn more about wrenches and their manufacturers.

Mike

[Bill Houghton]

Not strictly a pipe wrench.  Pipe wrenches generally have one jaw that will flex/flop in relation to the other*, and teeth pointing in opposing directions, to get a grip on round pipe when tightening/loosening it.  The vernacular term for what you've got, last I looked, is "monkey wrench" (I stand ready to be corrected by the more knowledgeable wrench-meisters here), useful for nuts and bolts or other things with parallel sides that can fit between the jaws.

*Although there are also chain and strap pipe wrenches that work on a slightly different although related principle.

[Branson]

These are described as "screw wrenches" in 19th Century army manuals.  Commonly called monkey wrenches.   Came in a lot of different sizes for bigger and smaller usually square nuts.

[Wrenchmensch]

Nice early and uncommon wrench.  I'd have bought it too!

[trickyrabbit]

Thanks again everybody. Any idea what it would be worth?

[Wrenchmensch]

Willing buyer-willing seller will answer that question.

[mvwcnews]

One odd feature of the WALTON -- the jaws are not at 90 degrees to the shank -- that & the form of the adjusting nut are aspects of the Phillips patent.

[oldtools]

I thought something looked bent, the jaws to shank & the handle. but that is the design?