How Close to Now Does OLD Extend?

The first issue of the Missouri Valley Wrench Club Newsletter in June, 1982 noted the recent closing of Leverage Tools of Glenvil, Nebraska -- the company had been bought out by Stanley.

LEVERAGE TOOLS self-adjusting locking pliers, clamps, etc. are now collectibles.

One of the newer pieces in the Richard Carter auction inventory was a set of ratchet-action open end wrenches patented in 1957. The set appeared to have been produced in the 1960s.

The upcoming Don Ervin sale includes a Vise-Grip TOOLKIT combination tool that's probably 10 - 15 years old.

Obscurity

The history of the interesting and collectible tools is filled with false starts, ambition over-reaching ability to deliver, and many other factors resulting in scarcity.

The sale inventory of the Richard Carter collection auction the weekend of Feb. 27th- March 1st had several examples. The Oct. 5, 1880 Genry A. Chapman patent combination wrench and pipe cutter looked hand-made.

The "smalls" included a 4-inch combination "crescent" type adjustable wrench with an alligator wrench on the handle end.

Every collection of any significance has a few such oddities.

This blog has taken a back burner to other activities the past few months -- work responsibilities, DATAMP, and the demands of producing the MARCH 2009 MVWC Newsletter. That issue was delivered to the post office this morning & members should be receiving copies some time next week.