Unusual Crescent Type Wrench

[Bill Sherlock]

A friend of mine brought this ususual looking wrench that he found metal detecting, to coffee row this morning. No one there had seen one like it before, including a retired farmer in his 90's.

UNIVERSAL DROP FORGED STEEL is cast in raised letters in the recess on one side of the handle and PAT'D 5-3-19 7-22-19 UNIVERSAL WRENCH CO WINDSOR-DETROIT is on the other side.

Unfortunately the moveable jaw was missing when the wrench was found. Anyone have any history on the wrench or the company that made it?

Bill

[Bill Sherlock]

Sorry, picture didn't go with origional post.

Bill

[Mike Monnier]

I think it's what is referred to as a quick adjusting wrench. The lever is for rapid or coarse adjustment, and then the worm gear is used for fine adjustment. Neat find!

[Bill Sherlock]

Mike,

I see that the thumb wheel has a concave recess in the threads on one side and a flat spot in the threads on the opposite side. I can see if the wheel was turned so the recessed portion was toward the teeth in the adjustable jaw, it would permit the lever to close the jaw on the nut. Haven't quite figured out what the flat spot would be for, unless an aid to locate the recesssed portion forward.

Bill

[Kevin O. Pulver]

Bill, It looks like a design that Stanley has resurrected again. I've seen them at the hardware stores that have a clamping handle on the crescent. You adjust it with the thumbwheel as someone said above, then when you squeeze the handle, it moves slightly and tightens the jaws a bit as if you were using a pliers. I've seen several "new" designs at Sears that I later saw in antique wrench collections. Kevin

[Edward Cole]

BILL I found the wrench in 1 referance book . It says{ Universal Wrench Co. Detroit .Quick adjust nut wrench . Pat. June 3 1919 & July 22 1919 Schulz No. 530 Lenth 8 in. Locking lever adjustable wrench.