Vintage Coes / Bemis & Call H&T Railroad Adjustable "Monkey" Wrench, 15", 5 lbs.

Description

This
Coes / Bemis & Call H&T Railroad Adjustable "Monkey" Wrench, 15", 5 lbs
, is the original "monkey wrench" invented by Loring Coes in 1840 and patented in 1841.
This wrench is a monster that has clearly seen some action in the shipyard. There is plenty of evidence on the head of the wrench that it was well employed as a tool of percussive persuasion, the secondary function of these wrenches. Nonetheless, its jaws are straight and square, and the body and handle are not bent. Walk onto any shipyard today with this wrench and it would be just as at home and useful as it ever was. The same cannot be said of most examples of this wrench being sold online, especially those selling for much less. Its condition is reflected in the price.
Wear has obscured most of the manufacturer's imprint on one side and all of the imprint on the reverse side. Nonetheless, as can be seen in the photos, the Bemis & Call H&T Co imprint is unmistakable. This dates the wrench to 1928 or later, after Bemis & Call acquired Coes Wrench Company. On the other hand, Bemis & Call was bought out in 1939, though it is not clear if the Bemis imprint continued to be used after that date.
Stamped on the head (but partially obscured by wear) is:
BEMIS & CALL H. & T. Co.
SPRINGFIELD MASS USA