Cronk & Carrier Manufacturing Company

Table of Contents

Introduction

Cronk & Carrier was a maker of pliers, wrenches, and other tools, and operated in Elmira, New York during the early part of the 20th century.

Company History

Cronk & Carrier was the successor (after 1902) to the Cronk Hangar Company, an earlier company founded by William Cronk in the 1890s. William Cronk was a noted inventor with numerous patents for pliers and other tools.

The Cronk Hanger Company was initially a maker of anti-friction hangers for barn doors, but by 1900 (or earlier) was also producing pliers.

Fig. 1. 1900 Ad for Cronk Lineman's Pliers. [External Link]

Fig. 1 shows an ad for Cronk "Telegraph" pliers, as published on page XIX of the 1900 Volume IV index for Science and Industry.

The illustration shows the Cronk No. 80 pliers in a design typical of early lineman's side-cutting pliers, and the text shows prices for sizes from 5 to 8 inches and in both plain and nickel finishes. (Although not noted, the prices shown would be per dozen.)

Fig. 2. 1911 Advertisement for Cronk Tools. [External Link]

Fig. 2 shows a later ad for Cronk tools, as published on page 549 of the July, 1911 edition of the Automobile Trade Directory.

The illustration shows a screwdriver and two types of pliers, and the text notes the company's products as pliers, chisels, punches, screwdrivers, and wrenches.

Patents

Trademarks

We have not found any trademarks for Cronk & Carrier.

References and Resources

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

Catalog Coverage

Currently we have one catalog for Cronk & Carrier, as noted below.

Industrial Distributors

Cronk tools were available through some industrial distributors.

• Buhl Sons Company 1918. The 1918 catalog from the Buhl Sons Company of Detroit lists Cronk No. 1 pliers on page 340, in sizes 8 and 10 inches.

Selected Tools

Cronk Hanger Early 6 Inch Button's Pattern Pliers

Fig. 3. Cronk Hanger Early 6 Inch Button's Pattern Pliers, with Insets for Side View, Construction, and Marking Detail, ca. 1890s.

Fig. 3 shows an early pair of Cronk Hanger 6 inch Button's Pattern pliers, stamped with "Cronk Hanger Co" and "Pat'd June 29, 1886" on the handles (see insets).

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The patent date refers to patent #344,769, filed by William Cronk in 1885 and issued the following year. The specific patented feature of these pliers are the concave grooves on the inside of the jaws, visible in the left middle inset.

According to the patent description, the grooves in the jaw are designed to help grasp nails or close rings of wire. (The patent document and illustration also describe a number of additional features that are not present on these pliers.)

Cronk 6.5 Inch Slip-Joint Combination Pliers

Fig. 4. Cronk 6.5 Inch Slip-Joint Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1890s.

Fig. 4 shows a early pair of Cronk 6.5 inch combination pliers, stamped with "Cron?" near the pivot.

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

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the widened handles.

The pliers are constructed of stamped steel, but the handles appear to have been formed by a forging process. Note that these pliers have a fixed pivot, rather than the slip-joint attachment more commonly used for combination pliers.

Cronk 8 Inch Gas and Burner Pliers

Fig. 5. Cronk 8 Inch Gas and Burner Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1890s.

Fig. 5 shows a early pair of Cronk 8 inch gas and burner pliers, stamped with "Cronk" near the pivot.

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel, with pitting due to rust.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the widened handles.

The pliers are constructed of stamped steel, but the handles appear to have been formed by a forging process. The tip of the pliers has a small slot for holding wire or adjusting burners.

Cronk 10 Inch Fencing Pliers with Button's Cutters

Fig. 6. Cronk 10 Inch Staple-Pulling Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 6 shows a pair of Cronk 10 inch fencing pliers, incorporating a hammer head and Button's style cutting slot on each side. The pliers are stamped with "Cronk" near the pivot.

The overall length is 10.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

These pliers have the characteristic raised ridges on both sides, used by Cronk's design for grasping staples and cutting wire.

Cronk 8 Inch Staple-Pulling Pliers

Fig. 7. Cronk 8 Inch Staple-Pulling Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1910 to 1920s.

Fig. 7 shows a pair of Cronk 8 inch staple-pulling pliers, stamped with the Cronk name (upside-down in the photograph) on the upper handle.

The overall length is 8.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

These pliers have the characteristic raised ridges on both sides, used by Cronk's design for grasping staples and cutting wire.

The pliers have another unusual feature with concave and convex surfaces on the inside of the handles just before the pivot, possibly intended for bending wire into staples.

The finely forged gripping pattern on the handles is characteristic of Kraeuter & Company, indicating that these pliers were contract production by Kraeuter.

Cronk 8 Inch Slip-Joint Combination Pliers

Fig. 8. Cronk 8 Inch Slip-Joint Combination Pliers.

Fig. 8 shows a pair of Cronk 8 inch slip-joint combination pliers, stamped with the Cronk name and "Elmira, N.Y." near the pivot.

The overall length is 8 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

Cronk 6 Inch Slide-Adjustable Nut Wrench

Fig. 9. Cronk 6 Inch Slide-Adjustable Nut Wrench, with Inset for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1912 to 1920s.

Fig. 9 shows a Cronk 6 inch slide-adjustable nut wrench, stamped with the Cronk name. In addition to the adjustable jaws, the handle is broached with a 7/8 hexagonal opening.

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The wrench opening can be adjusted by sliding the friction screw in the slot, with the opening sizes ranging from about 1/4 up to 11/16. Once the desired size is set, the friction nut can be tighted to clamp the position.

Although not marked with a patent notice, the design of this wrench is covered by patent #1,041,967, issued to William Cronk on October 22, 1912. The patent document describes an adjustable alligator wrench with an adjustment mechanism consisting of a friction screw sliding in opposing slots.