Vaughan & Bushnell Always Ready Wrench No.1 Late 19th – Early 20th Century
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 |
| Country/Region Of Manufacture | United States |
Vaughan & Bushnell Mfg. Company (V&B) was incorporated in 1882 after Sidney Bushnell invested in the restoration of Alexander Vaughn’s auger manufacturing business that had been destroyed by fire years earlier. The new company expanded into making a wider variety of hand tools. The company continues in business today as Vaughn Manufacturing, a premier manufacturer of striking tools. But “back in the day . . . ”. Generally, this tool is known as an “alligator wrench”, but in catalogs of the late 19th and early 20th centuries it was labeled the “Always Ready Wrench”. “SOLID CAST STEEL OF SUPERIOR QUALITY. DROP FORGED. OIL TEMPERED” is how V&B presented it. “Holds Nuts or Pipe . . . . 1/4 to 3/4”. It was necessary to use chalk to make the stamped-in “Vaughn & Bushnell” name more legible (see images) to determine the maker because lotsa people made ‘em, apparently. Much of V&B’s early business was directed at farming where the “Always Ready Wrench” makes sense. In the hands-on, do-it-yourself world of farming a hundred years ago (and more), it was the Crescent-style wrench of the day that could supplement much larger Nut Wrenches; daily maintenance and adjustment was in the hands of the farmer. Having a wrench that could be easily carried in a pocket would be a useful convenience. The Wrench works as designed though using it efficiently would take some practice, initially. The only moving part is the operator. The Teeth are sharp and grip well. Only a little of the nickel plating remains. There’s no evidence of misuse or abuse, in part because it’s more than six ounces of steel. Yes, it could be put to work and it would function properly. It could also be added to a Show-and-Tell Accumulation of Tools from Back-in-the-Day. We will ship the Always Ready Wrench by USPS Ground Advantage on the next regular business day following receipt of payment. References: “A. Tredway & Sons Hardware Co. : Catalogue of Iron, Steel, Wood Stock, Heavy Hardware, Etc. by A. Tredway & Sons Hardware Co., 1895-03-15” (https://archive.org/details/TredwayHardware1895Catalogue/page/n121/mode/2up)“Vaughan & Bushnell Mfg. Co.: 1903 Catalogue by Vaughan & Bushnell Manufacturing Co.” (https://archive.org/details/vaughan-and-bushnell-1903-catalog/page/142/mode/2up)“Vaughan & Bushnell Mfg. Co.: 1905 Catalogue by Vaughan & Bushnell Manufacturing Co.” (https://archive.org/details/vaughan-and-bushnell-1905-catalog)