Old and unique C-Clamp

[harborrat]

In going through the boxes of stuff I have bought at estate sales over the years I found this old C-clamp.  It is marked  JH Williams  Drop Forged in USA  Agrippa no. 108.  Agrippa apparently was a line of C-clamps made by Williams.  I posted this on another forum and they didn't know what it was made for.  I have never seen another one like it.  Does anyone have any idea what kind of clamp this is, or more specifically, what the attachment on the end was for?

[harborrat]

Here is a close-up photo of the end in question. 

[harborrat]

One guy on the other board mentioned that he saw these in the roundhouse when he worked for the railroad years ago.  But he has no idea if it was railroad specific or specific to the machining work that was going on in the machine shop there. 

[johnsironsanctuary]

Whatever was on the ball on the end of the screw isn't anymore. My WAG would be a special puller.  Shopmade?

[harborrat]

It looks to me as if it was forged as one peice.  But I am certainly no expert. 


I'm modfying this post because in looking at it again I see that this may indeed be modified.  But it is a good piece of work if so.   

[wvtools]

I have a 1951 Williams machinist's tools catalog.  It lists the Agrippa C Clamps as Drop-Forged General Service Clamps.  Yours is missing the foot (as mentioned above) and the cross handle.

Your specialized end is probably a custom order or aftermarket modification.  I would guess the former if it is all one piece as you mentioned.

[rusty]

Perhaps it is not a tool at all.....

[TDowling]

The Agrippa, or "100" style clamps were the second strongest style made.  Only the "heavy service" clamps, sometimes called "bridge builder's" clamps are stronger.  I believe Agrippa clamps were made in 2 or 4 inch through 18 inch sizes.  They were made by both Williams and Armstrong and possibly others, and I think still made today.  They were used where more force was required than the "400" or standard deep throat forged style.  I have 4 each of 4 inch and 6 inch.  They originally came with fairly long t-handles, but possibly could be ordered without them for wrench tightening, as the outer end of the spindle is a robust square.  The feet were heavy forged, cast or machined.  As welders often used these clamps, the foot pad is often missing, having been accidentally welded to something years ago!  I bought mine used, and they are in general service from ordinary wood working (where they are overkill) to metal fabrication, their original purpose.

[superzstuff]

I was at the mall today and took my usual shortcut out behind the stores. As I drove by the dumpster area I saw clamps just like the one pictured holding the trash compactor to the dumpster. Wish I had brought my camera. Don't have a cell phone, but this would be the only reason I would want one!