Vintage Walco 18 in Pipe Wrench Walworth Co USA Patent 1711083 Stillson

Vintage WALCO 18 inch pipe wrench. Walworth Company, Made in USA. Stillson type. THIS IS WHERE THE PIPE WRENCH CAME FROM Daniel Stillson was working at the Walworth Company in Boston when he invented the pipe wrench. His patent issued October 12, 1869. Every pipe wrench made since is a Stillson-type wrench, and Walworth is the company it came out of. If you collect tools, that is the reason to own this one. STAMPINGS Handle: WALCO PIPE WRENCH / PATENT No. 1711083 Frame: WALWORTH COMPANY / MADE IN USA Size 18 stamped twice - once on the hook jaw and once on the handle web. Patent 1,711,083 issued April 30, 1929 to the Walworth Company. The 8 wears down and photographs like a 3 - the correct number is 1711083. SPECIFICATIONS Brand: Walco / Walworth Company Size: 18 inch Type: Stillson-pattern adjustable pipe wrench Construction: Drop-forged frame, knurled adjusting nut, toothed hook jaw and heel jaw Origin: Made in USA Patent: 1,711,083 (1929) Eighteen inches is the useful size. The little Walcos turn up everywhere. This one is long enough to actually break a fitting loose, and it has the original stampings to look at while you do it. WHERE IT CAME FROM A working heavy truck and leaf spring shop being cleared out. Used, not curated. CONDITION Used antique tool, roughly a century old. Dark patina and surface oxidation throughout, shop grime in the corners. Both the WALCO PIPE WRENCH block and the WALWORTH COMPANY block photograph clearly, which is the whole point on a tool like this. Jaw teeth present and defined. Frame and hook jaw show no cracking at the throat. DELIBERATELY NOT CLEANED OR WIRE WHEELED. A wire wheel takes a century of patina off in a minute and takes the stampings with it. If you want it bright, that is your call to make, not mine.

Condition

Used (normal wear)