Can we date Crescent adjustables?
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Can we date Crescent adjustables?
I bought a couple of Crescent adjustables over the weekend and I took apart one with a broken jaw and noticed a (date?) code forged onto the adjustable jaw.
Is it possibly a date of manufacture?
The adjustable with the broken jaw is on the bottom in the next 2 images.
There is also a forged in marking on the other jaw, but I don't have the image uploaded yet.
Now uploaded - This is from the adjustable in the top of the side by side image.
-Jason
Is it possibly a date of manufacture?
The adjustable with the broken jaw is on the bottom in the next 2 images.
There is also a forged in marking on the other jaw, but I don't have the image uploaded yet.
Now uploaded - This is from the adjustable in the top of the side by side image.
-Jason
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
Edited to add the image of the forged in code on the other adjustable jaw.
-Jason
-Jason
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
Alloy Artifacts has very limited info. on dating Crescent wrenches. The big change seems to be the reinforcement around the hanging hole in the late '50s. I sold an early carbon steel example to lt. luke and he seemed happy that it was the thick one and not thin like the alloy one introduced in the '30s. I guess that's the beauty of Crescent wrenches. No one seems to be able to say that any of them are incorrect (except the very late ones). The really early double ended examples go for quite a bit of money on eBay considering how useless they are. (In my opinion).
Don
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
Thanks Don for posting your images. While I don't have an alloy Crescent adjustable to compare to, I've got the 2 Crescents next to a 'Superjustable' Williams. Still a marked difference in the dimensions of the jaws.
So, both of these Crescent wrenches appear identical in construction, but are stamped differently. Is there a consensus on which is considered more correct?
-Jason
So, both of these Crescent wrenches appear identical in construction, but are stamped differently. Is there a consensus on which is considered more correct?
-Jason
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
A18J is the part number for an 8" Crescent wrench Jaw.
I believe its wartime. I cant find the other number in the catalogue.
I believe its wartime. I cant find the other number in the catalogue.
Limited access.
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
Excellent. Thanks! Even better since that's not the broken oneSilly's MB wrote:A18J is the part number for an 8" Crescent wrench Jaw.
I believe its wartime. I cant find the other number in the catalogue.
-Jason
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
So does the A18J match to the thicker profile or the thinner profile?mudbox wrote:Excellent. Thanks! Even better since that's not the broken oneSilly's MB wrote:A18J is the part number for an 8" Crescent wrench Jaw.
I believe its wartime. I cant find the other number in the catalogue.
-Jason
I am happy with the wrench. It matches one I traded away for another more needed part.
I saw another interesting one today, marked with an alphanumeric on the handle. I'll try to post a photo. Not sure the vintage, but it's thinner.
Luke Sparks
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MAJ (R), USA
GPW 12078 http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=102532
https://www.homesteadersfinest.com/
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
Given that there are more CRESCENT TOOL Co. 8" wrenches around than any other mfger on the planet....and that they have different designs, different fonts, different finishes and other subtle differences.....
I think it very unlikely that ALL of them are "wartime production"....a case may be made for mid/late to have NO chrome/nickel or even parked finish on them and maybe the EARLY ones did have those finishes....just were does one draw a line on what IS and what ISN'T a POSSIBLE WWII gov't purchase?
If we take a clue from the OTHER mfgers we tend to use in a jeep factory toolkit, we might narrow down the possibilities further.
There is always a question about any number/lettering found on parts of a tool to say if it is a PART number or a FORGING number or something like a DATE CODE.
I probably had three out of four 8" crescent wrenches in my tool kits BEFORE I messed with a jeep..that were made by CRESCENT TOOL CO. None match the other but the point is....there are gazillions of them still around...but which is WWII era and which, if any were possibly in a parts depot that jeep parts were available in is unknown.
Again...anyone got anything DEFINITIVE to weed out the close-but-no-cigar styles? Anything to confirm the possibility one could be obtained by the motorpool for a jeep kit if one was needed?
I think it very unlikely that ALL of them are "wartime production"....a case may be made for mid/late to have NO chrome/nickel or even parked finish on them and maybe the EARLY ones did have those finishes....just were does one draw a line on what IS and what ISN'T a POSSIBLE WWII gov't purchase?
If we take a clue from the OTHER mfgers we tend to use in a jeep factory toolkit, we might narrow down the possibilities further.
There is always a question about any number/lettering found on parts of a tool to say if it is a PART number or a FORGING number or something like a DATE CODE.
I probably had three out of four 8" crescent wrenches in my tool kits BEFORE I messed with a jeep..that were made by CRESCENT TOOL CO. None match the other but the point is....there are gazillions of them still around...but which is WWII era and which, if any were possibly in a parts depot that jeep parts were available in is unknown.
Again...anyone got anything DEFINITIVE to weed out the close-but-no-cigar styles? Anything to confirm the possibility one could be obtained by the motorpool for a jeep kit if one was needed?
Chuck Lutz
GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
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GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
From left to right on the 3 wrench profile, Williams 'superjustable', Crescent with broken jaw, Crescent with A18J jaw. Both Crescents have the thicker profile over the Williams.lt.luke wrote:So does the A18J match to the thicker profile or the thinner profile?
-Jason
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
I found this excerpt from a Crescent catalogue originally posted by Silly's MB that clearly shows the same stamping on the Crescent I've shown with the A18J jaw stamping and the page from the catalogue shows the part number for the 8" adjustable as …. A18. Seems very likely to be the correct vintage at a minimum.Chuck Lutz wrote:There is always a question about any number/lettering found on parts of a tool to say if it is a PART number or a FORGING number or something like a DATE CODE.
...anyone got anything DEFINITIVE to weed out the close-but-no-cigar styles? Anything to confirm the possibility one could be obtained by the motorpool for a jeep kit if one was needed?
And for direct comparison, another image of the Crescent 8" adjustable with the A18J stamped jaw.Silly's MB wrote:I am pretty sure that this is from the mid 40's (catalogue no.24)
Seems identical to me.
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
Its a 1941 catalogue I have since found out.
It also shows this Crescent/Red Devil Hacksaw which "meets rigid Government Specifications"
It also shows this Crescent/Red Devil Hacksaw which "meets rigid Government Specifications"
Limited access.
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner! Thanks for doing the 'leg work'! I'd love to see the rest of that catalogue!Silly's MB wrote:Its a 1941 catalogue I have since found out.
Very nice, with that swell in the center of the frame, it looks very similar to the Union saw.Silly's MB wrote:It also shows this Crescent/Red Devil Hacksaw which "meets rigid Government Specifications"
-Jason
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
Jason,
The same catalog includes Crestoloy adjustables, by the way, introduced by a marketing page extolling their sleek strength. The part numbers for those, in 8" and 12" sizes, are AC18 and AC112. As if to back up the promotion page, the catalog includes the thickness of the head at its thickest point, which is 15/32" for the 8-incher and 3/4" for 12-incher. I know some guys shy away from the Crestoloy. I'm guessing they are worried about the composition, and alloy restrictions, but they might be triple alloy, like Vitaloy and Zenel, which keeps each metal under the limit.
Some guy in Texas is the proud owner of my Red Devil hacksaw, and some guy in England has another one!
The same catalog includes Crestoloy adjustables, by the way, introduced by a marketing page extolling their sleek strength. The part numbers for those, in 8" and 12" sizes, are AC18 and AC112. As if to back up the promotion page, the catalog includes the thickness of the head at its thickest point, which is 15/32" for the 8-incher and 3/4" for 12-incher. I know some guys shy away from the Crestoloy. I'm guessing they are worried about the composition, and alloy restrictions, but they might be triple alloy, like Vitaloy and Zenel, which keeps each metal under the limit.
Some guy in Texas is the proud owner of my Red Devil hacksaw, and some guy in England has another one!
TEMPORARY DUTY
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
My vintage 8” Crescent is broke exactly the same was from EBay, he refunded my money
Wes
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Re: Can we date Crescent adjustables?
Typical break when they are used the wrong way. Someone put more pressure on the dynamic jaw when loosening or tightening instead of the static jaw.
I have Danielson adjustable a in my GMTK now since we can definitively determine them. Though, a Crescent branded wrench is the way to go for the (Willys) G503 onboard toolkit.
-Jason
I have Danielson adjustable a in my GMTK now since we can definitively determine them. Though, a Crescent branded wrench is the way to go for the (Willys) G503 onboard toolkit.
-Jason
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