Crescent Tool Company

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Adjustable Wrenches
• Other Early Tools
• Slip-Joint Pliers
• The Smith & Hemenway Acquisition
• Fixed-Pivot Pliers
• Later Production
• References and Resources
• What's New (Last Updated Sept. 5, 2009)
  Recent changes to this page:

  • 09/05/2009: Added a Crescent C1725-B Open-End Wrench.
  • 08/26/2009: Added CeeTeeCo 8 Inch Combination Pliers.
  • 08/02/2009: Added Crescent Crestoloy 942-5 1/2 Diagonal Cutters.
  • 04/14/2009: Added a Crescent Crestoloy (PWA 1056) 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 02/02/2009: Added Crescent 942-6 Diagonal Cutters.
  • 01/28/2009: Minor reorganization, added a Crescent CT70 3/8-Drive Ratchet.
  • 12/05/2008: Added Crescent G26 "MoToR KiT" Combination Pliers.
  • 12/04/2008: Updated catalog resources.
  • 06/09/2008: Updated catalog resources.
  • 05/20/2008: Added a Crescent "Life-Time" LS70 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 05/14/2008: Updated patent table, added a Crescent C1731-B Open-End Wrench.
  • 03/28/2008: Added Crescent Crestoloy 654-7 Needlenose Pliers and a Crescent Crestoloy 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 03/12/2008: Updated catalog section.
  • 02/04/2008: Updated catalog section.
  • 12/29/2007: Updated catalog section.
  • 12/08/2007: Added a Crescent Thin Angle-Head Pliers.
  • 11/14/2007: Added a Crescent Crestoloy 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 11/10/2007: Added a Crescent Crestoloy 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 10/10/2007: Added CeeTeeCo 5 Inch Combination Pliers.
  • 06/06/2007: Added Red Devil 1906 Fencing Pliers.
  • 04/07/2007: Added a Crescent 6-8 Inch Double Adjustable Wrench.
  • 03/24/2007: Added a Crescent Crestoloy 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 03/11/2007: Added a Crescent 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 03/10/2007: Added Crescent 1033-6 Needlenose Pliers and Crescent L26 Thin-Nose Pliers.
  • 03/03/2007: Added Crescent 72-8 End Nippers.
  • 02/28/2007: Added Red Devil 925-10 Slip-Joint Pliers.
  • 01/23/2007: Added Crescent L25 Thin-Nose Pliers.
  • 01/20/2007: Added CeeTeeCo Specialty Pliers.
  • 01/16/2007: Moved to separate page, added a Crescent 8-10 Inch Double Adjustable Wrench.
  • 01/07/2007: Added a Crescent Folding Screwdriver.
  • 01/04/2007: Added a Crescent 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 12/21/2006: Added Crescent 942-4 Diagonal Cutters.
  • 12/14/2006: Added a Crescent 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 12/12/2006: Added a Crescent 23-7 Duckbill Pliers.
  • 11/22/2006: Added a Crescent Crestoloy 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 11/17/2006: Added a Crescent No. 175 Wood Chisel, Crescent 940-6 Diagonal Cutters, and Crescent L26 Pliers.

Introduction

Company History

The Crescent Tool Company of Jamestown, New York was founded by Karl Peterson in 1907. Peterson was an active inventor who had previously been associated with two other tool makers in the Jamestown area, the J.P. Danielson Company and Wm. Hjorth & Company. (See our article on the J.P. Danielson Company for more information.)

Crescent Tool initially produced tools including a type of wrench-plier known as a "lightning wrench", but the company soon became best known as a maker of adjustable wrenches. Crescent's particular adjustable wrench design became very well known, even to the point that all makes of this style came to be called "crescent" wrenches. The actual wrench design did not originate with Crescent, however, and there is some debate as to its origins.

The 1857 patent #17,531 by Edward J. Worcester describes the basic design of a movable jaw sliding in a slot below a fixed jaw, and all modern designs clearly owe a debt to this early patent. The Swedish company BAHCO also claims to have invented the modern style of adjustable wrench, and the BAHCO design may have served as the inspiration for Crescent's design.

According to Crescent company folklore, Karl Peterson received a visitor from Sweden who described an interesting adjustable wrench he had seen in Sweden. Peterson was intrigued and immediately set to work on carving a wooden model based on the visitor's description, and then Peterson and the other Crescent engineers tried to figure out how the wrench could be produced efficiently. Cutting the slot for the sliding jaw proved to be the most difficult operation, and for this task Crescent created a special slotting machine.

Once the production issues were resolved, the new Crescent adjustable wrench proved to be a huge success in the marketplace. Although many competing adjustable wrench products were offered over time, Crescent was able to retain a good share of the market based on the high quality of their wrenches. Again according to company lore, the original wooden model of the Crescent wrench has been preserved, and is on display at the corporate headquarters of Cooper Industries, the industrial conglomerate that acquired Crescent at a later date.

Crescent was also a producer of pliers and other tools, and within a few years was offering a wide selection of pliers. An advertisement in the August 1925 issue of Popular Mechanics for the Crescent Tool Company (page 148 at the top) shows an auto wrench and slip-joint pliers, with a tool kit in the background.

Smith & Hemenway Acquisition

By 1926 Crescent had acquired the Smith & Hemenway Company, a tool maker with a factory in Irvington, New Jersey. Smith & Hemenway offered a wide variety of pliers, chisels, screwdrivers, and related tools, with many of the items marked with the "Red Devil" trademark. The 1926 Crescent catalog No. 17 printed separate sections for each company's tools, with the Smith & Hemenway section being substantially larger than the Crescent section at that time. (See our brief article on Smith & Hemenway for more information on their early products.)

Around 1930 Crescent introduced a line of alloy steel pliers and wrenches, which were sold under their "Crestoloy" brand, a registered trademark.

In the late 1940s and 1950s Crescent benefitted from the general post-war economic expansion as well as the rising popularity of "Do-It-Yourself" projects. By the mid 1950s the product line included fixed wrenches in open-end, combination, and box-end styles, as well as sockets and drive tools in 1/4-drive through 3/4-drive sizes. The sockets and drive tools closely resembled the production of Wright Tool and are believed to have been contract production by Wright.

Formation of Crescent Niagara

Crescent Tool continued as a family-run business until 1960, when it was purchased by a group of investors and became the Crescent Niagara Corporation. Over the next few years Crescent Niagara acquired several more tool companies, beginning with the 1962 purchase of Billings & Spencer. (See our article on Billings & Spencer for more information.)

In 1963 Crescent Niagara acquired the tool operations of Barcalo Manufacturing, a diversified manufacturer that had become famous for its Barcalounger line of recliner chairs. (The furniture operations of Barcalo were acquired by a furniture company in North Carolina.) In 1964 another acquisition added Bridgeport Hardware Manufacturing as a subsidiary of Crescent Niagara.

By 1967 the Crescent catalog had been expanded considerably with the addition of tools from the acquired companies. Crescent-branded wrenches were offered in combination, box, and open-end styles, with the "scooped" style box ends seen on late Barcalo wrenches. (See for example the Barcalo TC26 Combination Wrench.) Also included was the Bridgeport Hardware product line of screwdrivers and miscellaneous tools.

Crescent continued the operations of the acquired companies for some time, but eventually merged the more important products into its own tool lines and dissolved the other corporations.

Acquistion by Cooper Industries

In 1968 Crescent Niagara itself was acquired by the Cooper Industries conglomerate, and the Crescent brand continues today as part of the Hand Tools division of Cooper.

Patents

Trademarks

Crescent Tool registered several trademarks for its products, including the "Crescent" name and a "CTCO" logo, both used as early as 1907. The "Cee Tee Co" trademark was used beginning in 1913, and the "Crestoloy" trademark (for alloy-steel tools) was first used in 1930.

Crescent acquired the "Red Devil" trademark as part of its Smith & Hemenway acquisition.

Manufacturing Dates

Adjustable Wrenches

Adjustable wrenches were one of the earliest products of Crescent Tool, and Crescent's particular design became very popular, perhaps too popular. Even today it's common to hear an adjustable wrench referred to as a crescent wrench regardless of the brand.

Crescent 8-10 Inch Double Adjustable Wrench

We'll begin with an early double-ended wrench, a once common tool that's now regarded as a novelty.

Fig. 1. Crescent 8-10 Inch Double Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 1 shows an early Crescent 8-10 inch double-ended adjustable wrench, marked "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." in forged raised letters, with "Crescent" and "Drop Forged Steel" on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the maximum jaw openings were measured at 1.0 and 1.1 inches for the 8 and 10 inch ends, respectively. The finish is polished steel.

The head thickness was measured at 0.58 and 0.73 inches for the 8 and 10 inch ends, respectively.

This wrench has an additional "Patented" marking forged into the shank, and this is believed to be a reference to patent #1,133,236, issued to K. Peterson in 1915. The patent describes the use of a tension spring to help hold the adjusting screw in position.

Crescent 6-8 Inch Double Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 2. Crescent 6-8 Inch Double Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 2 shows a later Crescent 6-8 inch double-ended adjustable wrench, marked "Mfd. By Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." in forged raised letters, with "Drop Forged Steel" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the maximum jaw openings were measured at 0.8 and 1.0 inches for the 6 and 8 inch ends, respectively.

The finish is polished steel.

Crescent 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 3. Crescent 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 3 shows a Crescent 8 inch adjustable wrench, marked "Mfd. By Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." in forged raised letters, with "Drop Forged Steel" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the maximum jaw opening is 1.0 inches. The head thickness was measured at 0.56 inches.

The finish is plain steel.

Crescent 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 4. Crescent 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 4 shows a Crescent 12 inch adjustable wrench, marked "Mfd. By Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." in forged raised letters, with "Drop Forged Steel" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 12.3 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.3 inches. This wrench is made of carbon steel wrench and has a relatively thick head, measured at 0.88 inches.

The finish is plain steel.

The Crestoloy Era

In 1930 Crescent introduced a line of alloy-steel tools under the "Crestoloy" trademark. The extra strength of the alloy steel allowed the new wrenches to be thinner and lighter than the older models, but still stronger. Advertisements for the new wrenches typically claimed them to be "30% Thinner" but "200% Stronger".

The next several figures will shows examples of Crestoloy adjustable wrenches.

Crestoloy 4 Inch Adjustable Wrenches

The next two figures show examples of Crestoloy wrenches in the 4 inch size.

Fig. 5. Crestoloy 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 5 at the left shows a Crescent 4 inch adjustable wrench, marked "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." in forged raised letters, with "Crestoloy Steel" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of red paint.

Fig. 6. Crestoloy 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 6 shows another example of the Crescent 4 inch adjustable wrench, marked "Crestoloy Steel" and "Made in U.S.A." in forged raised letters, with "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.3 inches, and the maximum opening is 0.5 inches. The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Crestoloy (PWA 1056) 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 7A. Crescent Crestoloy (PWA 1056) 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 7A shows a Crescent Crestoloy 8 inch adjustable wrench, marked with "Forged Crestoloy Steel" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the handle, with "Mfd. By Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." forged into the reverse. The wrench is also stamped "PWA 1056" near the adjusting knurl, indicating production for Pratt-Whitney Aircraft.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The maximum head thickness was measured at 0.49 inches.

The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Crestoloy 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 7B. Crescent Crestoloy 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 7B shows a Crescent Crestoloy 12 inch adjustable wrench, marked "Forged Crestoloy Steel" and "Made in U.S.A." in forged raised letters, with "Mfd. By Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." on the reverse.

The overall length is 12.2 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.3 inches. The maximum head thickness was measured at 0.72 inches.

The finish is plain steel, with some pitting due to rust.

Other Early Tools

Crescent K24 T-Handle Folding Screwdriver

Fig. 8. Crescent Folding Screwdriver, with Insets for "T" Position and Marking Detail.

Fig. 8 shows an unusual Crescent K24 folding screwdriver, marked "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." on the shank, with "4 In" and "Patented" on the reverse.

The overall length is 6.4 inches in the "T" position and 7.6 inches when extended. The finish is chrome plating.

Although the model number is not marked on the tool, a Crescent catalog from 1928 lists this as an "All Steel Screwdriver" with model number K24. Larger versions were available as models K25 and K26, with blade lengths of 5 and 6 inches, respectively.

The design for this tool is described by patent #1,215,308, issued in 1917 to J.E. Johnson and assigned to Crescent Tool. (Thanks to a diligent reader for the patent reference.)

The patent document calls this a "Combination Tool" and mentions an additional feature: the ability to drive sockets inserted in the handle when in the "T" position. The present tool did not come with any such sockets, and it's not clear that Crescent actually made such accessories for the tool. Another feature intended by the patent is the use as a light-duty hammer, with the screwdriver blade acting as a handle.

The patent was filed in 1914, so this model may have been in production as early as that time, and it remained in production at least through the late 1920s.

Crescent No. 175 1 Inch Wood Chisel

Readers who know Crescent Tools only as a maker of wrenches and pliers may be a bit surprised by the next figure.

Fig. 9. Crescent No. 175 1 Inch Wood Chisel, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 9 shows a Crescent No. 175 1 inch wood chisel with a four-lobed steel handle, marked "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y.", with "No. 175 1 Inch" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse. The overall length is 7.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The No. 175 chisel is listed in a 1928 Crescent catalog and was available in three widths, 3/4, 1, and 1-1/4 inches. The catalog notes that the chisels were popular with electricians and plumbers, and that the blade was hardened for its full length, to permit numerous resharpenings.

Slip-Joint Pliers

"MoToR Kit" [G26] 6 Inch Combination Pliers

Fig. 10. Crescent "MoToR KiT" [G26] 6 Inch Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side view.

Fig. 10 shows a pair of Crescent "MoToR KiT" [G26] 6 inch slip-joint combination pliers, marked "Jamestown, N.Y. U.S.A." with the CTCo logo.

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

CeeTeeCo [H25] 5 Inch Combination Pliers

Fig. 11A. Crescent CeeTeeCo [H25] 5 Inch Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 11A shows a pair of CeeTeeCo [H25] 5 inch slip-joint pliers, marked "Jamestown, N.Y." on the handle.

The overall length is 5.5 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

CeeTeeCo [H28] 8 Inch Combination Pliers

Fig. 11B. Crescent CeeTeeCo [H28] 8 Inch Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 11B shows a pair of CeeTeeCo [H28] 8 inch slip-joint combination pliers, stamped "Crescent USA" on the handle.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

L25 Thin-Nose Slip-Joint Pliers

Fig. 12. Crescent L25 Thin-Nose Slip-Joint Pliers, with Inset for Side view.

The overall length is 5.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

L26 6 Inch Thin-Nose Slip-Joint Combination Pliers

The next two figures show earlier and later examples of the Crescent L26 thin-nose combination pliers.

Fig. 13. Crescent L26 6 Inch Thin-Nose Slip-Joint Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side view.

Fig. 13 shows an earlier pair of Crescent L26 6 inch thin-nose combination pliers, stamped "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y. U.S.A." on the handle.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The distinctive pattern on the handles of these pliers (and other models) is called "Checkerdot Knurling" in some catalog listings. Crescent Tool began using this pattern as early as 1921, and it has remained in use since then.

Fig. 14. Crescent L26 6 Inch Thin-Nose Slip-Joint Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side view.

Fig. 14 shows a later pair of Crescent L26 thin-nose combination pliers, stamped "U.S.A." on the handle.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the thin-nose construction and the "Checkerdot" gripping pattern on the handles.

[J26] Thin-Nose Bent Combination Pliers

Fig. 15. Crescent [J26] Thin-Nose Bent Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side view.

Fig. 15 shows a pair of Crescent J26 thin-nose pliers with bent or angled jaws, marked "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y. U.S.A." with the CTCo logo.

The overall length is 6.7 inches. The original finish was nickel plating, but most has been lost due to wear and rust.

CeeTeeCo Slip-Joint Specialty Pliers

Fig. 16. Crescent CeeTeeCo Slip-Joint Specialty Pliers, with Inset for Handle Pattern.

Fig. 16 shows a pair of CeeTeeCo slip-joint specialty pliers, marked "Jamestown NY U.S.A." on the handle.

The overall length is 6.4 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

The Smith & Hemenway Acquisition

By 1926 Crescent had acquired the Smith & Hemenway Company, a maker of pliers and other tools in operation since the early 1900s. Crescent continued to use the S&H factory in Irvington, New Jersey, and the full S&H product line was added to the Crescent catalogs beginning with catalog No. 17 in (late) 1926. Incidentally, catalog No. 17 appears to have been the first catalog published by Crescent's own printing facility.

With the Smith & Hemenway acquisition Crescent inherited the "Red Devil" brand, used for a line of pliers and window glass specialty tools. See our brief article on Smith & Hemenway for more information on their early products.

Red Devil 925-10 Slip-Joint Combination Pliers

Fig. 17. Red Devil 925-10 Slip-Joint Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Detail.

Fig. 17 shows a pair of Red Devil 925-10 combination pliers, marked "U.S.A." on the handle with "Forged Steel" on the underside.

The overall length is 9.9 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

These are heavy, well-built pliers with numerous features to earn their rating as "combination pliers". The jaws include two gripping areas for round objects, plus a V-groove for holding small pins (see lower inset). There's also a slot for cutting wire, and the end of one handle is flattened for use as a screwdriver or light-duty prybar.

Red Devil 1906 Fencing Pliers

Fig. 18. Red Devil 1906 Fencing Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Jaw Detail.

Fig. 18 shows a pair of Red Devil 1906 fencing pliers, marked "S.&H. Co. U.S.A." near the pivot.

The overall length is 10.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Fixed-Pivot Pliers

As late as 1926 Crescent itself offered only a single model of fixed-pivot pliers, a long-nose design intended for radio work. However, with its purchase of Smith & Hemenway, Crescent had acquired an extensive line of fixed-pivot pliers and cutters, including lineman's pliers, diagonal and end cutters, and needlenose pliers.

Crestoloy 23-7 Duckbill Pliers

Fig. 19. Crestoloy 23-7 Duckbill Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 19 shows a pair of Crescent 23-7 duckbill pliers, marked "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." around the pivot, with "Crestoloy" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Crestoloy 654-7 Needlenose Pliers

Fig. 20. Crestoloy 654-7 Needlenose Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 20 shows a pair of Crescent 654-7 needlenose pliers, stamped "Crescent Tool Co." and Jamestown, N.Y." on the front, with "Crestoloy" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Crestoloy 1033-6 Needlenose Pliers

Fig. 21. Crestoloy 1033-6 Needlenose Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 21 shows a recent pair of Crescent 1033-6 needlenose pliers, marked "U.S.A." on the pivot. (The markings are etched rather than stamped and are a bit difficult to read.)

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is black oxide with polished faces.

Crestoloy 940-6 [PWA 1057] Diagonal Cutter Pliers

Fig. 22. Crestoloy 940-6 Diagonal Cutter Pliers, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 22 shows a pair of Crescent 940-6 diagonal cutters, marked "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y.", with "Crestoloy" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 5.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The pliers are also marked "PWA 1057", indicating that these were contract production for Pratt-Whitney Aircraft.

Crestoloy 942-4 Diagonal Cutter Pliers

Fig. 23. Crestoloy 942-4 Diagonal Cutter Pliers, with Insets for Detail.

Fig. 23 shows a pair of Crescent 942-4 diagonal cutters, stamped "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." near the pivot, with "Crestoloy" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The top inset shows a side view of the head.

Crestoloy 942-5 1/2 Diagonal Cutter Pliers

Fig. 24A. Crestoloy 942-5-1/2 Diagonal Cutter Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 24A shows a pair of Crescent 942-5-1/2 diagonal cutters, stamped "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." near the pivot, with "Crestoloy" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 5.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel with polished faces.

Crestoloy 942-6 Diagonal Cutter Pliers

Fig. 24B. Crestoloy 942-6 Diagonal Cutter Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 24B shows a pair of Crescent 942-6 diagonal cutters, stamped "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." near the pivot, with "Crestoloy" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 6.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel with polished faces.

Crestoloy 72-8 End Nippers

Fig. 25. Crestoloy 72-8 End Nippers, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 25 shows a fairly recent pair of Crescent 72-8 end nippers, marked "Crescent" on one side with "Crestoloy" and "U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 8.3 inches, and the width of the cutters is 1.1 inches. The finish is plain steel with polished faces.

Later Production

In the mid 1950s Crescent decided to become more of a full-service tool company and broadened its product line to include such items as fixed wrenches and socket tools. These changes occurred before the company's reorganization as Crescent Niagara and subsequent tool-company acquisitions.

Crescent's catalog 29M from 1958 includes fixed wrenches in open-end, combination, and box styles, plus a selection of sockets and drive tools in sizes from 1/4 to 3/4-drive.

Crescent C1725-B Open-End Wrench

Fig. 26A. Crescent C1725-B 1/2x9/18 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1950s.

Fig. 26A shows a Crescent C1725-B 1/2x9/16 open-end wrench, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse shank.

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.

Crescent C1731-B Open-End Wrench

Fig. 26. Crescent C1731-B 13/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1950s.

Fig. 26 shows a Crescent C1731-B 13/16x7/8 open-end wrench, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse shank.

The overall length is 9.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.

Crescent "Life-Time" LS70 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 27. Crescent "Life-Time" LS70 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. 1963+.

Fig. 27 shows a 1/2-drive Crescent LS70 ratchet, marked with the "Life-Time" brand stamped into the panelled handle, with "Patent No. 2982161" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the reverse.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

This ratchet is covered by patent #2,982,161, issued to T.F. Angquist et al in 1961 with assignment to Crescent.

Crescent CT70 3/8-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 28. Crescent CT70 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Reverse and Side View, ca. 1959-1960.

Fig. 28 shows a 3/8-drive Crescent CT70 ratchet, marked with "Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." forged into the panelled handle, and with "Pat. Pend." and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the reverse.

The overall length is 7.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The pending status refers to patent #2,982,161, filed by T.F. Angquist et al in 1959 and issued in 1961, with assignment to the Crescent Niagara Corporation.

This particular ratchet was acquired as an unused "new old stock" item in its original box. Since the labeling on the box does not mention Crescent Niagara, it's likely that the production occurred before the company's reorganization in 1960.

Later Adjustable Wrenches

In later years Crescent redesigned its adjustable wrenches, extending the depressed panel in the handle all the way to the adjusting screw. At the opposite end, the panelled region was terminated sharply in a line, leaving a squared off area around the hole. (Previously the hole had been within the panel, and had not had a ridge around it.)

Based on a review of catalog illustrations, the new handle design went into production sometime after 1958 but before 1967. The 1967 catalog refers to the "open handle design" as an improvement in the ease of adjustment, and the design gave their wrenches a distinctive appearance as well. From our standpoint, the redesign had an additional advantage, in that it makes it easier to identify Crescent as the contract maker for other brands. (However, later wrench production from Diamond Tool used a similar handle design.)

The next several figures will show examples of later production with this updated design.

Crestoloy 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, Later Design

Fig. 29. Crestoloy 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1960s+.

Fig. 29 shows a later Crescent 8 inch adjustable wrench, marked "Forged Crestoloy Steel" and "Made in U.S.A." in forged raised letters, with "Mfd. By Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." on the reverse.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inch. The maximum head thickness was measured at 0.47 inches.

The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Crestoloy 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench, Later Design

Fig. 30. Crestoloy 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1960s+.

Fig. 30 shows a later Crescent 10 inch adjustable wrench, marked "Forged Crestoloy Steel" and "Made in U.S.A." in forged raised letters, with "Mfd. By Crescent Tool Co." and "Jamestown, N.Y." on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.1 inches. The maximum head thickness was measured at 0.61 inches.

The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Crestoloy 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench, Late Production

In still later production the forged-in markings were replaced by stamped markings, except for some small production codes at the end of the handle.

Fig. 31. Crestoloy 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 31 shows a Crescent 4 inch adjustable wrench, stamped "Crescent" and "U.S.A." with a registered trademark symbol, with "Forged Crestoloy Steel" and and another registered symbol on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.3 inches, and the maximum opening is 0.5 inches.

The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

References and Resources

Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts collection.

Catalog Coverage

Product information was obtained from several Crescent Tool catalogs, as summarized in the table below.

Industrial Distributors

Crescent Tools were widely available through automotive and industrial distributors, and the catalogs from these companies provide an additional source of information.

• Cragin Catalog No. 2. The 1921 catalog No. 2 from Cragin & Co. of Seattle lists Crescent adjustable wrenches in single and double-ended models, plus several models of slip-joint pliers. The pliers include the Motorkit combination models G25,G26, G28, and G210, CeeTeeCo No. 100 combination pliers, and Crescent No. 70 universal pliers. The Motorkit pliers are illustrated with the Checkerdot handle pattern.

• 1294 Ford Owner's Supply Book. The 1924 Ford Owner's Supply Book from Western Auto Supply, a major retailer of automotive products, lists Crescent adjustable wrenches in both single and double-ended models. The catalog description, under the heading "Genuine Crescent Wrenches", calls them the "strongest and handiest adjustable wrenches made", and prices were set at $0.65 for the 6 inch single and $1.25 for the 6-8 inch double-end. The catalog also offered "Crescent Type Adjustable Wrenches", with no brand name mentioned, for about 30% less.

• Channon Catalog No. 101. The 1930 catalog No. 101 from the H. Channon Company lists three pages of Crescent and Red Devil brand pliers, including diagonal cutters, end nippers, needlenose pliers, and slip-joint pliers. Adjustable wrenches were also listed, in single-ended sizes from 4 to 18 inches plus four double-ended models.

• Sligo Catalog No. 70. The 1930 catalog No. 70 from the Sligo Iron Store Company lists Crescent adjustable wrenches in single and double-ended styles, plus a number of models of pliers. The pliers include the CeeTeeCo H2x series, Crescent "MoToR KiT" G2x series, the Crescent thin-nose L2x series, and several others.

• S. Harris Catalog No. 57. The 1931 catalog No. 57 from the Samuel Harris Company, an industrial supplier, lists Crescent adjustable wrenches in both single-ended (A-1x) and double-ended (B-1x) models. Also offered were Crestoloy adjustable wrenches, very new at that time, which were advertised as "30% Thinner" but "200% Stronger" than the standard wrenches. The catalog also lists one model series of Crescent pliers, the CeeTeeCo model H-2x combination pliers.

Patents and Trademarks

Patent and trademark information was obtained from the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO) web site at uspto.gov. Patent documents were obtained from sites offering free downloads, notably freepatentsonline.com.

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