Two Small Alligator's

[mikeswrenches]

I have a "thing" about these little wrenches,  and was lucky enough while in Georgia last week to gather up these two.

The top one is a Shaw Propeller wrench and the bottom one is an "Alligator Wrench" patented Aug. 3, 1897.  Both are just a trifle under 4 in.

Mike

[Papaw]

Check that little one- It may be quite early, possibly a Freas patent.

J A Roebling Freas patent alligator wrench by Noel C. Hankamer, on Flickr

[Plyerman]

Couple of nice ones there. Question: is the long slot on the top one factory original, or was it added later? Seems odd that the factory would cut a slot right through the "Propeller" logo...?

[Papaw]

The long slot is original. It is what makes the alligator grip better.
Here is mine-

Shaw Alligator Wrench by Noel C. Hankamer, on Flickr

Shaw Propeller Co. of Boston made these alligator wrenches patented in 1910. They came in several sizes and I have a few of them. This one is only 4" long, and may have been a salesman's sample. It was gifted to me by a member of   Tool Talk. 

[rusty]

Someone else made one like that also (Williams??) , the slot allows the jaws to wedge closer together when they bite something, the hole in the end prevents the slot from turning into a running crack and going all the way to the end of the handle...

One does sort of wonder why they drilled the hole through part of their name....*duh*

[mikeswrenches]

When you look at old tools long enough you sure do see all kinds of weird things.

But drilling a hole through your name has to rank up there with some of the weirdest.  Makes me wonder if the hole was an afterthought.  Maybe they tried it first without the hole and found out they cracked, thus the addition of the hole.  Just a WAG on my part.

Mike