Easy Coes wrench rescue

[Papaw]

I believe this one is an L Coes Improved Knife Handle Screw Wrench from a patent of April 30, 1895 and May 15. 1900.
I was handed an old Coes monkey wrench that the owner had decided was never going to be functional again. Challenge accepted! Wasn't much of a challenge however. An overnight soak in vinegar loosened all the rust and the adjuster . Then a water bath to neutralize the vinegar, some wire brushing the close places, then some touch up with a soft wire wheel on the grinder. Last step was coating the wrench with Kroil to stop flash rust. I didn't do anything to the scales since I was returning the wrench to its natural condition.
  http://smg.photobucket.com/user/papao55/library/Coes%20wrench%20rescue%204-25-2013

[mikeswrenches]

Looks great!  I have never used vinegar.  I'ved used citric quite a bit in the past, but it got where I didn't really care fore the finish it left.  The vinegar looks good, will have to try it in the future.

Nice to save these old wrenches from the junk.

Mike

[johnsironsanctuary]

Nicely done Papaw.  My vinegar tank just finished cleaning and sharpening some of my old and tired files. It works pretty well if you leave them in for four or five days.  I'm sure it is not as good as new, but they are fit to use after that.

[Papaw]

Very interesting thing I just noticed-
The markings on one side say
"LATER L COES PAT"S"

[pritch]

How big is that? It looks very similar the center wrench in this picture, also a Coes:

[Papaw]

Sorry, I never mentioned the length- it is 15" long.
Yes, yours looks like the same model.

[rusty]

>I believe this one is an L Coes Improved Knife Handle Screw Wrench from a patent of April 30, 1895 and May 15. 1900.

The 1900 patent included metal pieces that extend from the ferrule into the wood. Yours doesn't have those. I suspect it is earlier than the 3rd generation , probably the second, from the 1884 patent (301,681)

[Papaw]

Probably why it says "Later L Coes Patents".

[Bus]

Very interesting thing I just noticed-
The markings on one side say
"LATER L COES PAT"S"

Are you sure the markings aren't "UNDER L. COES PAT'S" instead of "LATER L COES PAT'S"?

[Papaw]

Of course you are correct, Bus. Don't kmow what I was thinking. The letters are not complete but blowing it up, I see it.