| Davistown Museum Inventory of Tools - Maritime III | Wrenches |
| | Status | Location |
| TCZ3000 | Monkey wrench | bio | DTM |
| Forged iron, 11 7/8" long, signed "L. COES PATEN__" (date obscured) and on the second side "____ BOSTON & |
| WORCESTER", probably ca. 1835 - 1840. |
| This wrench appears to be one of the earliest versions of the famous Coes monkey wrench; Loring Coes patented his first |
| wrench on April 16, 1841. The wrench has characteristics of the late 18th century or early 19th century hand forged |
| wrenches in the Davistown Museum collection, particularly in the way the handle is manufactured. According to Herb Page |
| <mroldwrench@mchsi.com> "During the period of 1848 to 1852 the firm of L & A.G. Coes contracted with the firm of |
| Ruggles, Nourse & Mason on a 5 year term to market the entire production of wrenches produced by this fledgeling firm. |
| R.N.& M. had branches in both Worcester & Boston and the wrenches produced during this time period were stamped with 1) |
| "L. Coes Patent", 2) "Ruggles, Nourse & Mason" if space permitted, depending on size of wrench and 3) "Boston & Worcester" |
| indicating the sales outlets of the marketing firm. These wrenches were manufactured in |
| Worcester at the firm of L & A. G. Coes and the particular marking referred to is indicative of early production during the |
| above mentioned dates. These are quite rare and have a distinctive circular insert in the working face of the lower jaw which |
| is in line with the adjusting screw. Coes wrenches of this era are quite rare and desirable among |
| antique wrench collectors." |
| 32802T4 | Pipe wrench | photo | DTM |
| Steel, brass and wood, 10" long, unsigned. |
| This unusual pipe wrench has no maker's mark; the remains of two letters are visible on the jaw arm in 18th century script, "T |
| S"? As yet, unidentified, Museum wrench references have not been consulted. |
| | Page 42 of 42 |
