Craftsman 4518 Lineman’s Pliers 7-in Rubber Handles Geometric C “C” 1930s-1950s
Specifications
| Return Shipping Will Be Paid By | Buyer |
| All Returns Accepted | Returns Accepted |
| Item Must Be Returned Within | 30 Days |
| Refund Will Be Given As | Money Back |
| Brand | Craftsman |
| Country/Region Of Manufacture | United States |
The “Craftsman” name appeared on a vast array of hand tools for most of the 20th Century. They were a common tool of choice for do-it-yourself and shade tree mechanics because they were good tools, easy to get and had a serious guarantee. Craftsman never made any of them and figuring out who made them is one reason why they are collected and accumulated. Tools wearing the Craftsman Brand in a form called “Long C” are sought specifically because of the period of time when they were manufactured, generally late 1920s or early 1930s until late 1940s and early 1950s, maybe. There’s a lack of certainty. Tools that are marked with a “Long C” (see images) were produced by numerous companies over ten to fifteen (or so) years until Craftsman changed their branding to a different style of lettering in the 1950s. The “Long C” is most commonly defined by the lower part of the letter “C” Underlining the “Craftsman” name. Other elements can included;the Underlining does not include the full length of “Craftsman” and if “Craftsman” is not Underlined, but the letters in “Craftsman” are distinctly angular (see images) and the initial “C” is particularly angular (see images). These elements qualify as being from the Long-C period. The Angular “C” is referred to as a “geometric C”. Most “Long C” tools carry a code allowing identifying the manufacturer because of Craftsman’s long standing life time guarantee. The marking on this Lineman’s Pliers is a single “C” found on the side opposite the Branding and below the Pivot. Determining the manufacturer was not obvious. There is not consensus about who is identified by a single letter “C”. There is, instead, a general agreement or acceptance among Collectors and Accumulators that the “C” is for Channellock (Champion DeArment Tool Company) because of identical or nearly identical appearance of Lineman’s Pliers made under the Channellock name. There is also an opinion that the design was used by multiple companies. We have an identical or nearly identical Tool made by Kraeuter which had been a Craftsman supplier of Pliers in the 1930s. Simply one more question mark. In Catalogs as late as 1952 The “Craftsman” name appears as a “Long-C”. In 1953 the “Craftsman” name has been changed, updated or modernized . . . a marketing decision, perhaps. Lineman’s Pliers 4518 (“State size) appearing in 1952 resembled those offered since the late 1930s, though artist’s renderings are not the best form for comparison. Because of the “geometric C” we accept production as being late 1930s to early 1950s, but we make no assertion about manufacturer except to say that it looks a lot like Kreauter’s 4801. Just sayin’. The Black Rubber-like Handles make for comfortable use. There are some nicks (see images) and will benefit form more purposeful cleaning than we provided(see mages). While the Pliers have been used, there is no evidence of misuse or abuse. Gripping surfaces are sharp, but also need deeper cleaning (see images). The Pivot is tight and smooth. The Cutter Blades meet properly and are not significantly nicked (see images). The Jaws close parallel (see images). The Tool could be put to work and would serve well as a daily-use tool for another half-century or could be added to a Show-and-Tell Accumulation. We will ship the Pliers by USPS Ground Advantage on the next regular business day following payment.