Specialty Pliers

Kraeuter "US" 8 Inch Fence-Cutting Pliers

The next several figures show examples of Kraeuter wire-cutting pliers, believed to have been made as fence-cutters for the military in the first World War.

Fig. 121. Kraeuter "US" 8 Inch Fence-Cutting Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1915-1918.

Fig. 121 shows a pair of Kraeuter "US" 8 inch fence-cutting pliers, with markings "Kraeuter & Co. Inc." and "Newark, N.J." plus "Pat. Pend." forged into the handle. The forged-in letters "U" and "S" are also visible at the left.

The overall length is 7.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The pliers have serrated cutting edges placed close to the pivot pin for leverage.

Kraeuter "US" 11 Inch Fence-Cutting Pliers

The next two figures show examples of long-handled Kraeuter wire-cutting pliers, believed to been made as fence-cutters for the military in the first World War.

Fig. 122. Kraeuter "US" 11 Inch Fence-Cutting Pliers, ca. 1915-1918.

Fig. 122 shows an earlier pair of Kraeuter wire-cutting pliers. The pliers have forged-in markings "Kraeuter & Co. Inc." and "Newark NJ" with a "Pat Pend" notation, and the letters "U" and "S" on both sides.

The overall length is 11.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The pliers have the cutting edges placed very close to the pivot pin, which together with the long handles would provide the leverage needed for cutting hard wire.

The patent for these pliers has not yet been found after a fairly extensive search. The next figure shows another example of this model, but marked "1918" instead of the pending notation, suggesting that the patent might have been issued in 1918.

Fig. 123. Kraeuter "US 1918" 11 Inch Fence-Cutting Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1918.

Fig. 123 shows a somewhat later model with forged-in markings "Kraeuter & Co. Inc." plus "U.S." and "1918".

The overall length is 11.0 inches. The finish is plain steel with extensive pitting due to rust. (The pliers were electrolytically de-rusted.)

Battery Pliers

Battery pliers were a popular type of specialty pliers designed to turn the nuts of automotive battery terminals. Since automobile batteries would often leak a small amount of sulfuric acid, the bolts and nuts of the terminals would then become badly corroded, to the point that a regular wrench would no longer work for loosening the nuts.

951-7 "Supreme" 7 Inch Battery Pliers

Fig. 124. Kraeuter 951-7 "Supreme" 7 Inch Battery Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. Mid 1930s to 1938.

Fig. 124 shows a pair of Kraeuter 951-7 "Supreme" 7 inch battery pliers, stamped with "Supreme" and "Kraeuter" across the pivot.

The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the finely forged "Don't Slip" gripping pattern on the handles.

Note that these pliers do not have the "Kraeuter U.S.A." forged-in marking on the underside of the handles.

The absence of a "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking and the presence of the "Don't Slip" pattern suggests production from the mid 1930s to 1938.

Currently our only reference for this model is the 1934 catalog. The 1939 catalog doesn't list this model, suggesting that it had already been discontinued by then.

Kraeuter 948 Battery Pliers

Although not actually "combination" pliers, the 1946 catalog grouped this model of battery pliers in with the real combination pliers.

Fig. 125. Kraeuter 948 Battery Pliers, ca. Mid 1940s to Early 1950s.

Fig. 125 shows a pair of Kraeuter 948 battery pliers, stamped with "Kraeuter" and "U.S.A." in a circle, with the model number across the center.

The overall length is 7.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The circular marking style was used from the mid 1940s onward for most fixed-pivot models.

The model 948 pliers had been discontinued by the time of the 1959 catalog, so we have estimated a mid 1940s to early 1950s production date for this example.

Kraeuter 1943-10 10 Inch Waterpump Pliers

Fig. 126. Kraeuter 1943-10 10 Inch Waterpump Pliers, ca. 1940s to 1950s.

Fig. 126 shows a pair of Kraeuter 1943-10 10 inch waterpump pliers, stamped "Kraeuter" and "USA" on the handle.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel, with some pitting due to rust.

The pliers have a slip-joint mechanism with five adjustment positions, and the maximum jaw opening is approximately 1.5 inches.

The model 1943 waterpump pliers were listed as early as the 1934 catalog, with the description noting the use of alloy steel and full nickel finish. By 1946 these pliers were listed with a blue temper finish as part of the "Combination" line.

351-7 Slip-Joint Brake Spring Pliers

Fig. 127. Kraeuter 351-7 Slip-Joint Brake Spring Pliers, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Mid to Late 1930s.

Fig. 127 shows a pair of Kraeuter model 351-7 slip-joint brake spring pliers, marked with the company name and model number, and with "Pat. Appl'd For" on the back side.

The overall length is 6.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

These brake spring pliers were listed in the 1934 catalog, with a patent applied notation visible in the illustration.

Kraeuter 451-8 Glass Pliers

Fig. 128. Kraeuter 451-8 Glass Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1924 to Mid 1930s.

Fig. 128 shows a pair of Kraeuter 451-8 glass pliers, stamped "Kraeuter" near the pivot, and with "Kraeuter U.S.A." forged into the underside of the handles.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking usggests production from the mid 1920s to mid 1930s.

Later Plier Production

In the late 1930s Kraeuter began developing "lines" of tools to appeal to specific industries or buyers. The vanguard of this change may have come as early as 1929, when the model 4801 "Supreme" lineman's pliers were introduced. By the time of the 1939 catalog, Kraeuter had developed a "Professional" line intended for radio, optical, or jewelry workers, as well as a "K-Diamond" line of economy pliers. Somewhat oddly, the 1939 catalog doesn't mention the "Supreme" moniker, although the 4801 pliers were still offered.

By the time of the 1946 catalog, Kraeuter had regrouped all of its pliers models into six "lines", termed "Supreme", "Industrial", "Combination", "Professional", "Jewelers", and K-Diamond. This was basically a marketing change, most likely driven by rising costs and competition, and apparently was intended to group models, features, and finish options into categories that would have greater appeal for specific industries.

As the product lines were developed, some new model numbers were introduced, with combinations of features and finish appropriate to the grouping. In addition, most of the traditional pliers models remained in production and were classified into one of the new lines.

However, Kraeuter's highly detailed forged-in gripping patterns were eliminated, even in the "Supreme" line. (The "Supreme" line got a full polish finish instead.)

In this section we'll document the new models introduced as part of this marketing reorganization. Later production of the traditional pliers models will be listed along with the earlier production, so that the reader can observe the time progression.

The Supreme Line

Kraeuter's "Supreme" line, as the name implies, promised the highest quality in construction and finish. The "Supreme" line appears to have started in 1929 with the introduction of the model 4801 "Supreme" lineman's pliers, and other models were added later in the 1930s.

By 1946 all of Kraeuter's pliers had been divided up into "lines", and the "Supreme" line then consisted of models 1591, 1642, 1662, 1782, 1831, 1851, 2801, 2802, 4601, and 4611. Note though that by this time "Supreme" just meant a full polish finish — the elegant forged-in gripping patterns of earlier decades had been discontinued.

The "Supreme" line was Kraeuter's attempt to carve out a subset of its product line for which it could continue to offer the highest quality of construction and finish, against the relentless economic forces demanding low cost production. It was a losing battle — by 1958 (and probably well before) the "Supreme" line had been discontinued.

Prior to 1946 the catalogs were not always clear as to which pliers were considered "Supreme" at that time, and as a result our knowledge of the line is based on what has been discovered thus far. Pliers discovered to be part of the "Supreme" line without catalog documentation include the model 951 battery pliers, model 1850 "Giant Nippers", and model 1973 combination pliers with side cutters.

We'll use this section to gather together all of our examples of the "Supreme" line, although some of the tools will appear in other sections as well.

Originally we created this section merely as a convenience for viewing the "Supreme" pliers, but after reviewing the examples collected here, an interesting pattern has emerged. Most of the "Supreme" pliers here have date estimates in the mid 1930s to 1938 period, suggesting that in the late 1930s there was a major push to classify pliers into this category. In addition, it's possible that this was the only period during which the "Supreme" designation was actually marked on the tools.

And then it all ended abruptly, with the 1939 decision to discontinue the fine gripping patterns for all except a few slip-joint models. When the "Supreme" line reappeared in the 1946 catalog, it simply meant a full-polish finish, without the forged-in gripping patterns.

4801-8½ "Supreme" 8.5 Inch Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 129. Kraeuter 4801-8½ "Supreme" 8.5 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Marking Detail, ca. Mid 1930s to 1938.

Fig. 129 shows a pair of Kraeuter 4801-8½ "Supreme" 8.5 inch lineman's pliers, stamped with "Kraeuter" and "Supreme" across the pivot.

The handles have a smooth underside, and one handle is stamped on the underside with a "9" (or "6") code.

The top inset shows the geometric gripping pattern on the handles, the "Beauty Handles" pattern described by the later 1921 design patent #D59,602.

The overall length is 8.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The absence of a "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking and the presence of the "Beauty Handles" pattern suggests production from the mid 1930s to 1938.

The model 4801 pliers were introduced in 1929 as the flagship of the "Supreme" line, a group of pliers selected to represent the pinnacle of quality in both utility and appearance. The "Supreme" line wasn't fully documented until the 1946 catalog, and somewhat ironically the No. 4801 pliers had been discontinued by that time, leaving the older model 2801 pliers to be designated instead as the "Supreme" lineman's pliers.

1831-8 "Supreme" 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 130. Kraeuter 1831-8 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, ca. Mid 1930s to 1938.

Fig. 130 shows a pair of Kraeuter 1831-8 "Supreme" 8 inch lineman's pliers, stamped "Supreme" with "Kraeuter" and the model number near the pivot, with "Made in U-S-A" on the back side.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the "Don't Slip" gripping pattern on the handles.

Note that the undersides of the handles are smooth, without a "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

The absence of the "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking and presence of the "Don't Slip" gripping pattern suggest production from the mid 1930s to 1938.

1821-6½ "Supreme" 6.5 Inch Universal Cutting Pliers

Fig. 131. Kraeuter 1821-6½ "Supreme" 6.5 Inch Universal Cutting Pliers, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, ca. Mid 1930s to 1938.

Fig. 131 shows a pair of the Kraeuter 1821-6½ 6.5 inch universal cutting pliers, stamped with "Supreme" and "Kraeuter" plus the model number near the pivot, with "Made in U-S-A" on the back side.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the "Beauty Handles" gripping pattern on the handles.

Note that the undersides of the handles are smooth, without the "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking found on earlier generations.

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

The absence of a "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking and the presence of the "Beauty Handles" gripping pattern suggest production from the mid 1930s to 1938.

1850-7 "Supreme Nipper" 7 Inch End Nippers

Fig. 132. Kraeuter 1850-7 "Supreme" 7 Inch End Nippers, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Mid 1930s to 1938.

Fig. 132 shows a pair of Kraeuter 1850-7 7 inch end nippers, stamped with "Supreme Nipper" near the pivot, with "Kraeuter" and the model number on the back side (see middle inset).

The handles have a smooth underside with a stamped "9" digit.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the "Don't Slip" gripping pattern on the handles.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel with some remaining black paint.

The absence of a "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking and the presence of the "Don't Slip" pattern suggests production from the mid 1930s to 1938.

The "Supreme" marking on these model 1850 pliers is somewhat unexpected, as it was the similar model 1851 nippers that were given the "Supreme" designation in the 1946 catalog. The models 1850 and 1851 nippers differ only in the finish though, so possibly this example was just mismarked.

4601-6 "Supreme" 6 Inch Diagonal Cutters

Fig. 133. Kraeuter 4601-6 "Supreme" 6 Inch Diagonal Cutters, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, ca. Mid 1930s to 1938.

Fig. 133 shows a pair of Kraeuter 4601-6 "Supreme" 6 inch diagonal cutters, stamped with "Kraeuter" and the model number around the pivot, and with "Supreme" and "Made in U.S.A." around the pivot on the back side.

The underside of one handle is also marked with a "9" (or "6") code (not shown).

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the "Don't Slip" gripping pattern on the handles.

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

The absence of a "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking and the presence of the "Don't Slip" pattern suggests production from the mid 1930s to 1938.

Our first reference for the model 4601 diagonal cutters is the 1934 catalog, which offered this model in five sizes, 4½, 5, 5½, 6, and 7½ inches. These pliers were probably introduced as part of the future "Supreme" line, although the catalog doesn't mention "Supreme". Interestingly, the 1934 catalog illustration already shows the circular marking style for this model.

4611-6½ "Supreme" 6.5 Inch Heavy-Duty Diagonal Cutters

Fig. 134. Kraeuter 4611-6½ "Supreme" 6.5 Inch Diagonal Cutters, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Marking Detail, ca. Mid 1930s to 1938.

Fig. 134 shows a pair of Kraeuter 4611-6½ "Supreme" 6.5 inch heavy-duty diagonal cutters, stamped with "Kraeuter" and the model number across the pivot, with "Supreme" on the back side.

The handles have a smooth underside with no markings.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the "Don't Slip" gripping pattern on the handles.

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

The absence of a "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking and the presence of the "Don't Slip" pattern suggests production from the mid 1930s to 1938.

This model was offered in the 1939 catalog in only the 6½ inch size, with a full polish finish but without mention of the "Supreme" label. The illustration shows the markings across the face as in the present example.

By 1946 these pliers were listed as part of the "Supreme" line and were available in sizes 5 and 7 inches.

951-7 "Supreme" 7 Inch Battery Pliers

Fig. 135. Kraeuter 951-7 "Supreme" 7 Inch Battery Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. Mid 1930s to 1938.

Fig. 135 shows a pair of Kraeuter 951-7 "Supreme" 7 inch battery pliers, stamped with "Supreme" and "Kraeuter" across the pivot.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the finely forged "Don't Slip" gripping pattern on the handles.

The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Note that these pliers do not have the "Kraeuter U.S.A." forged-in marking on the underside of the handles.

The absence of a "Kraeuter U.S.A." marking and the presence of the "Don't Slip" pattern suggests production from the mid 1930s to 1938.

Currently our only reference for this model is the 1934 catalog. The 1939 catalog doesn't list this model, suggesting that it had already been discontinued by then.

2003-6 [40-6] "Supreme" 6 Inch Thin-Nose Combination Pliers

Our earliest catalog reference for the No. 2003 pliers is Kraeuter catalog No. 15, originally published in 1932 and revised in 1934. The illustration shows the No. 2003 pliers with the "Don't Slip" gripping pattern but with smooth undersides on the handles, even though most pliers at this time had "Kraeuter U.S.A." on the undersides.

The catalog did not mention a "Supreme" classification.

Fig. 136. Kraeuter "Supreme" 2003-6 [40-6] 6 Inch Thin-Nose Combination Pliers, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, ca. 1932-1938.

Fig. 136 shows a pair of Kraeuter 2003-6 6 inch thin-nose combination pliers, stamped with "Kraeuter" and the model number near the pivot, with "Supreme" on the back side.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the thin jaws and the "Don't Slip" gripping pattern.

Note that these pliers have smooth undersides on the handles, which matches the illustration in the 1932 Kraeuter catalog No. 15, suggesting that our example may have been produced as early as 1932.

The overall length is 6.4 inches, and the finish is nickel plating, with some losses due to rust.

The model number for these pliers was changed from 2003-6 to 40-6 in the 1939 Kraeuter catalog, allowing us to estimate the production date for this example as 1932-1938.

An example of the later No. 40-6 pliers can be seen as the Kraeuter No. 40-6 6 Inch Thin-Nose Combination Pliers.

The K-Diamond Line

By 1939 Kraeuter had introduced the "K-Diamond" line of economy tools, a selection of popular styles produced with simpler finishes to allow lower prices.

The 1939 catalog shows that the K-Diamond line had already adopted the circular marking style by that time.

"K-Diamond" 1380-6.5 Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 137. Kraeuter "K-Diamond" 1380-6.5 Lineman's Pliers, ca. Mid 1940s to 1950s.

Fig. 137 shows a pair of Kraeuter 1380-6.5 lineman's pliers, stamped "Kraeuter-USA" around the pivot with the K-Diamond logo in the center.

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

"K-Diamond" 1380-7 Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 138. Kraeuter "K-Diamond" 1380-7 Lineman's Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. Late 1930s.

Fig. 138 shows a pair of Kraeuter 1380-7 lineman's pliers, stamped "Newark, N.J." below the pivot with the K-Diamond logo in the center.

The back side is also stamped "USA" (not shown).

The overall length is 7.0 inches. The finish is black oxide, with pitting on the surface due to rust.

The 1939 catalog shows this style of marking, with the model number at the top and "Newark, N.J." at the bottom.

"K-Diamond" 4700-7 Heavy-Duty Diagonal Cutters

Fig. 139. Kraeuter "K-Diamond" 4700-7 Diagonal Cutters, with Inset for Side View, ca. Mid 1940s to 1950s.

Fig. 139 shows a pair of Kraeuter 4700-7 diagonal cutters, marked "Kraeuter-USA" around the pivot with the K-Diamond logo in the center.

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

The 1939 catalog offered the model 4700 cutters only in a 6.5 inch size, so the present example is likely from the mid 1940s onward.

The model 4700 cutters were the "K-Diamond" equivalent of the Model 4611 "Supreme" Diagonal Cutters.

Striking Tools

Kraeuter had a long history of production of striking tools such as chisels and punches. However, tools of this type (especially the chisels) are difficult to document, as even the best quality tools will be slowly consumed by repeated sharpening. Thus we have only a limited selection of Kraeuter's chisels and punches to display.

330½ Flat Chisel

Fig. 140. Kraeuter 330½ Inch Chisel.

Fig. 140 shows a Kraeuter 330½ chisel, stamped "Kraeuter" and "USA" on the octagonal shank.

The overall length is 5.9 inches.

430-3/8 Flat Chisel

Fig. 141. Kraeuter 430-3/8 Flat Chisel, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 141 shows a Kraeuter 430-3/8 flat chisel, stamped "Kraeuter" and "USA" on the octagonal shank.

The overall length is 5.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

430-3/4 Flat Chisel

Fig. 142. Kraeuter 430-3/4 Flat Chisel.

Fig. 142 shows a Kraeuter 430-3/4 flat chisel, marked "USA" on the octagonal shank.

The overall length is 7.0 inches.

430-1 Flat Chisel

Fig. 143. Kraeuter 430-1 Flat Chisel.

Fig. 143 shows a Kraeuter 430-1 flat chisel, marked "USA" on the octagonal shank.

The overall length is 8.4 inches.

635½ Cape Chisel

Fig. 144. Kraeuter 635½ Inch Chisel, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 144 shows a Kraeuter 635½ cape chisel, marked "USA" on the octagonal shank.

The overall length is 6.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

403-5/8 Wood Chisel

Fig. 145. Kraeuter 403-5/8 Wood Chisel, with Inset for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 145 shows a Kraeuter 403-5/8 wood chisel, marked "USA" on the octagonal shank.

The overall length is 10.4 inches.

342½ Star Drill

Fig. 146. Kraeuter 342½ Star Drill, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 146 shows a Kraeuter 342½ star drill, marked "USA" on the octagonal shank.

The overall length is 12.0 inches.

Wrenches

In the 1920s Kraeuter introduced a distinctive line of open-end and S-shaped wrenches with carefully forged raised-letter markings, including the K-Diamond logo. The wrenches were polished flat after forging to highlight the markings, giving them a striking appearance. But as carbon-steel tools, these fine wrenches were rendered obsolete by the alloy-steel tools being developed around the same time.

Although the exact manufacturing dates are not known, this style of Kraeuter wrenches were being advertised in Popular Science by 1924, and were listed in the 1925 Dunham Catalog. The figures below will show examples of these wrenches.

Kraeuter continued to offer open-end wrenches (without the fancy design) in its catalogs into the 1940s, but these tools are seldom seen and probably sold only in small numbers.

Open-End Wrenches

A1416 7/16x1/2 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 147. Kraeuter A1416 7/16x1/2 Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 147 shows our first example, a Kraeuter A1416 7/16x1/2 open-end wrench, marked "Kraeuter U.S.A." with the K-Diamond logo. (In subsequent figures we'll call this the "standard Kraeuter marking".)

The overall length is 5.0 inches.

Although not marked with an Industry Standard Number, this wrench would have been a model 725.

A1619 1/2x19/32 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 148. Kraeuter A1619 1/2x19/32 Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 148 shows a Kraeuter A1619 1/2x19/32 open-end wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

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

Although not marked with an Industry Standard Number, this wrench would have been a model 25.

A1820 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 149. Kraeuter A1820 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 149 shows a Kraeuter A1820 9/16x5/8 open-end wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

The overall length is 6.1 inches.

Although not marked with an Industry Standard Number, this wrench would have been a model 727.

A2225 11/16x25/32 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 150. Kraeuter A2225 11/16x25/32 Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 150 shows a Kraeuter A2225 11/16x25/32 open-end wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

The shank is also stamped with "29", the Industry Standard Number for these opening sizes.

The overall length is 7.1 inches.

A2428 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 151. Kraeuter A2428 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 151 shows a Kraeuter A2428 3/4x7/8 open-end wrench, marked with "Kraeuter U.S.A." forged into the shank on both sides.

The faces are stamped with "7/8 Opening 5/8 ⬡C" and "3/4 Opening 1/2 ⬡C", references to the older Hex Capscrew Size Convention.

The overall length is 7.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Although not marked with an Industry Standard Number, this wrench would have been a model 731A.

A2528 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 152. Kraeuter A2528 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 152 shows a Kraeuter A2528 25/32x7/8 open-end wrench, marked with "Kraeuter U.S.A." and two K-Diamond logos forged into the shank.

The shank is also stamped with "31", the Industry Standard Number for these opening sizes.

The overall length is 7.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The left face is stamped with "7/8 Opening 1/2 U.S.S.", a reference to the older U.S.S. Size Convention. The right face was stamped very lightly and is too faint to read, but would have been marked with "25/32 Opening 7/16 U.S.S." based on the known sizes.

A3134 31/32x1-1/16 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 153. Kraeuter A3134 31/32x1-1/16 Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 153 shows a Kraeuter A3134 31/32x1-1/16 open-end wrench, marked with "Kraeuter U.S.A." and two K-Diamond logos forged into the shank.

The overall length is 10.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The left face is stamped with "1-1/16 Open 5/8 U.S.S.", a reference to the older U.S.S. Size Convention.

The marking for right face would have been "31/32 Open 9/16 U.S.S." but has been clipped by the opening.

Although not marked with an Industry Standard Number, this wrench would have been a model 35.

S-Shaped Wrenches

B1214 3/8x7/16 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench

Fig. 154. Kraeuter B1214 3/8x7/16 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 154 shows a Kraeuter B1214 3/8x7/16 S-shaped wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

The overall length is 6.2 inches.

B1618 1/2x9/16 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench

Fig. 155. Kraeuter B1618 1/2x9/16 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 155 shows a Kraeuter B1618 1/2x9/16 S-shaped wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

B2022 5/8x11/16 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench

Fig. 156. Kraeuter B2022 5/8x11/16 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 156 shows a Kraeuter B2022 5/8x11/16 S-shaped wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

B2426 3/4x13/16 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench

Fig. 157. Kraeuter B2426 3/4x13/16 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 157 shows a Kraeuter B2426 3/4x13/16 S-shaped wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

B2832 7/8x1 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench

Fig. 158. Kraeuter B2832 7/8x1 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 158 shows a Kraeuter B2832 7/8x1 S-shaped wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

Check-Nut and Tappet Wrenches

C1214 3/8x7/16 Check-Nut Wrench

Fig. 159. Kraeuter C1214 3/8x7/16 Check-Nut Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 159 shows a Kraeuter C1214 3/8x7/16 check-nut wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings on the shank. The faces are stamped "7/16 Open 1/4 ⬡C" and "3/8 Open 3/16 ⬡C", references to the older Hex Capscrew convention.

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

O1820 9/16x5/8 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 160. Kraeuter O1820 9/16x5/8 Tappet Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 160 shows a Kraeuter O1820 9/16x5/8 tappet wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

92 9/16x5/8 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 161. Kraeuter O1820 9/16x5/8 Tappet Wrench, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 161 shows a Kraeuter 92 9/16x5/8 tappet wrench with the standard Kraeuter markings.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Other Wrenches

K9/16 Single-Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 162. Kraeuter K9/16 9/16 Single-Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 162 shows a Kraeuter model K9/16 size 9/16 single-offset box-end wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." on the round shank.

The overall length is 10.9 inches. The finish is chrome plating with polished ends, now mostly worn away.

This wrench is a bit of a mystery, as Kraeuter is not known to have made box-end wrenches of this type. Single-offset box wrenches enjoyed some popularity during the late 1920s and 1930s, but had been discontinued by most manufacturers by 1950 or before. A 1939 catalog from Kraeuter listed mostly pliers and striking tools, but only a few of the older carbon-steel wrenches.

Thus it's not clear when (or why) Kraeuter would have produced this wrench.

Other Products

Kraeuter Ford Connecting Rods

Fig. 163. 1921 Catalog Listing for Kraeuter Ford Connecting Rod.

Fig. 163 shows a catalog listing for Kraeuter Ford connecting rods, as published at the back of the Kraeuter catalog from around 1921.

We have found one other catalog reference for the Kraeuter connecting rods in the 1920 catalog from the Tool Specialty Company.