any ideas on what this is?

[rterry]

Found this item elic hunting near a old plantation site. It appears to be a wrench of some kind, but any thoughts would be appreciated. The jaws are notched and the three holes in the center are threaded. As I said, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Krom]

My first thought was a thread guide on a factory loom.
Cool find, regardless, RT.

 

[MNDigger]

I found that same exact tool on my father-in-laws 1880 farm but have no idea what it was for. It is a very strange design for being some kind of wrench.

 

[coinnut]

Never seen anything like it. A definite odd tool or part of a machine. I wonder if there are orginizations like a farm museum or a textile museum. Try and Google that and see if any come up. Then E Mail them a picture. They may be able to tell you if they have ever seen anything like that. Good luck and if you get an ID on it, let us know.

 

[Islandhunter]

Some kind of tool used on barb wire?

 

[Diggler]

The wrench part looks like a spoke wrench. But the trheads are throwing me off... Maybe it was part of a common tool set for old cars with spokes?

 

[OkieDigger]

No idea, but what a neat looking relic.

 

[Epi-hunter]

It looks familiar. But I have no idea.

Anyway, welcome to the forum!

 

[hoser]

Very cool relic but I have no clue. If I had to guess, it would be a type of speed wrench with three different size thread chasers(used to realign bad threads on a bolt). Just don't know :-\

 

[Jason in Enid]

I would say it's a wrench. Doesn't look exactly like what we use to today, but most tools don't. Interesting find.

 

[RickO]

That one stumps me....the threaded holes must have a purpose, that is what keeps leading me away from the wrench idea...RickO

 

[rterry]

Well folks, I want to thank you for your help. I found this design on the site: Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents. Other than the three holes in the center of the handle, the relic that I found seem to be an alligator jawed wrench or what would be the grandfather of today's pipe wrench . Thanks for all your ideas.
Bob Terry

 

[yazoo]

I would say it is for taking off rounded or stripped bolts and nuts,the three holes in the center are probably for chasing or cleaning up the threads. Yazoo

 

[Calvin]

I have one from my dad's farm. It was always hanging over the tool bench as far back as I can remember. Maybe I can get a pic of it and maybe there's some markings on it that would identify the manufacturer, etc. It's definitely old and a piece of history. Great find!

 

[yazoo]

It is a alligator wrench with dies in the center.Look up alligator wrenches ,I saw a pic but lost it. Yazoo

 

[yazoo]

here be the picture. Yazoo

 

[coinnut]

Wow!! Looks like you nailed it!! thumbsup01 Great research on that one. I think you have a positive ID. Aww, the mystery is now gone lol, but the history remains

 

[del]

you all converged on it like a hungry pack of wolves on a rabbit and it didn't stand a chance :grin: very nice teamwork and id guys