Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company (Pexto)

Pexto Logo from 1915 Trademark

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company was a major manufacturer of machinery and tools during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The company specialized in machinery for tinsmithing, an industry that faded to insignificance as better manufacturing and transportation greatly reduced the need for local production of sheet-metal goods.

Company History

The Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company ("Pexto") was organized in 1870 by a three-way merger of the Peck, Smith Manufacturing Company, the S. Stow Manufacturing Company, and the Roys & Wilcox Company. In 1880 the company was chartered by an act of the Connecticut legislature.

In later advertising the company claimed to have been established in 1819, but some sources place the company's origins as early as 1797.

Fig. 1. 1903 Report on History of Peck, Stow & Wilcox. [External Link]

Fig. 1 shows an excerpt from an early history of the company, published on page 333 of the 1903 Nineteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Connecticut, included as part of the Public Documents of the State of Connecticut.

The text notes that in 1797 Seth Peck of Southington, Connecticut began making machinery for tinsmithing and eventually became the Peck, Smith Manufacturing Company, thereby setting the stage for the three-way merger in 1870.

The text goes on to note that by 1881 the company's capital had reached $1.5 million, and the company had acquired Wilcox, Treadway & Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

The stated capital was a huge sum for that day.

Bit Braces and Other Hardware

Although tinsmithing machinery was the most important early product, the company also produced a wide variety of other tools and hardware, including bit braces, woodworking chisels, hammers, and squares.

Bit-braces were a particular specialty for the company. The company claimed to have made the first bit brace in 1850, which at first was just a primitive cast iron frame.

Fig. 2. 1891 Illustration of Peck's Patent Brace.

Fig. 2 shows an illustration of a Peck's patent brace, as published on page 130 [External Link] of the January 15, 1891 issue of The Iron Age.

By this time the brace had been greatly improved, with a rotating hand grip, a ratchet drive, and a collet chuck for round or square bits.

In 1897 Pexto introduced a significant innovation with a new line of bit-braces featuring the "Samson" ball-bearing chuck. A description and illustration of the braces can be found on page 48 [External Link] of the May 27, 1897 issue of The Iron Age.

A 1901 Manual of Statistics notes on page 483 [External Link] that the company made tinner's machinery, mechanic's tools, and household utensils. The 1901 sales were listed as $1,152,000.

At that time the company had factories in Southington, Plantsville, and East Berlin, Connecticut, and in Cleveland, Ohio as well.

Box-Joint Diagonal Cutters

Fig. 2B. 1903 Notice for Peck, Stow & Wilcox Diagonal Cutters.

The composite scan in Fig. 2B shows a notice for Peck, Stow & Wilcox "Swedish pattern" box-joint diagonal cutters, as published on page 59 [External Link] of the July 23, 1903 issue of The Iron Age. (We shifted the illustration to make a compact presentation.)

This is currently our earliest reference to diagonal cutters from an American maker.

The "Swedish pattern" mentioned in the text is believed to be a reference to diagonal cutting pliers from F.E. Lindström of Eskilstuna, Sweden. Imported Lindström diagonal cutters were later offered as the Utica No. 842 Diagonal Cutters and Smith & Hemenway No. 342 Diagonal Cutters.

An example of pliers similar to the illustration can be seen as the PEXTO No. 27 Diagonal Cutting Pliers.

Fig. 3. 1910 Ad for P.S. & W. No. 30 Pliers. [External Link]

Fig. 3 shows an ad for P.S. & W. No. 30 box joint pliers, as published on page xi of the July, 1910 issue of Electrician and Mechanic.

The 1910 Catalog

The company's 1910 catalog (available for Download from the International Tool Catalog Library) spans 463 numbered pages and presents an astonishing variety of goods for a single company, comparable to what might be offered by a major distributor.

The first section begins on page 17 with 92 pages of specialized tinsmithing machinery and another 45 pages of tinner's tools.

This is followed by a section for "Mechanics' Tools" spanning pages 155 to 258 and including 16 pages of bit-braces and breast drills, woodworking chisels, hammers, hatchets, axes, carpenter's squares, monkey wrenches, pipe wrenches, dividers, calipers, 11 pages of pliers, farrier's tools, awls, saw-sets, plumb bobs, and clamps.

A section for "Builders' Hardware" extends from page 259 to 330 with a wide variety of hardware such as cabinet latches, pulls, handles, and hooks.

This is followed by a section for "General Hardware" extending from pages 331 to 431 and including household items like scales, meat grinders, coffee mills, nut crackers, ice picks, animal traps, and pruning shears.

A section on "Fire Place Goods" offers fireplace andirons and pokers from pages 404 to 440, and a final section on "Stationers' Hardware" offers inkstands and paper files from pages 441 to 463.

In looking through this catalog we think it must represent "Peak Pexto", with the company facing steep declines as its tinsmithing machinery slipped into obsolescence. The machinery offered by Pexto was not production machinery for factories, but rather hand-operated tools to be used by a skilled craftsman to make small batches of sheet metal goods.

Even without the decline of the tinsmithing industry, it still would have been very expensive for Pexto to make such a wide selection of goods. The bewildering variety of machinery would all have required custom castings and forgings for the major parts, and the company would have needed an army of patternmakers to create and maintain the patterns and dies.

The 1910 catalog suggests that Pexto may have started using contract production from other manufacturers to fill out its line. For example, page 224 offers "Agricultural" or "Standard" wrought iron monkey wrenches that appear to be production from the Girard Wrench Manufacturing Company, based on the illustration and the use of the terms "Agricultural" and "Standard".

In addition, we suspect that some pliers may have been supplied by Utica. Pexto appears to have used Utica as a supplier somewhat later, based on the distinctive handle pattern.

Service and Maintenance Tools

Fig. 3B. 1919 Ad for Pexto Wrenches.

By the late 1910s tools for service and maintenance were becoming more important for Pexto's business.

The scan in Fig. 3B shows a full-page ad for Pexto wrenches, as published on page 7 [External Link] of the December, 1919 issue of Hardware World.

The illustration shows Pexto monkey wrenches and a Stillson-pattern pipe wrench with a wooden handle.

Patents

Trademarks

Tool Identification

Tools made by Pexto were typically marked with the company name, or with the abbreviated forms "P.S.&W." or "P.S.W. & Co." if space was limited.

After 1914 the Pexto-Oval was frequently marked on tools.

In 1957 the company registered "PEXTO" in block letters as trademark #642,880.

Pexto-Oval Logo

Fig. 4. Pexto-Oval Logo from Trademark #107,001.

The scan in Fig. 4 shows the Pexto-Oval logo as it was presented for trademark #107,001.

References and Resources

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

Catalog Coverage

Industrial Distributors

Peck, Stow tools were widely available through industrial distributors. We'll add references as time permits.

• Chas. A. Strelinger 1895. The 1895 catalog from Chas. A. Strelinger & Company lists tools from Peck, Stow & Wilcox on page 61-63. The listings include cutting nippers in sizes from 8-12 inches and several models of shears and snips.

• Harron, Rickard & McCone 1918. The 1918 catalog No. 2 from Harron, Rickard & McCone, an industrial distributor, lists an extensive selection of Pexto sheet metal machinery and tools on pages 216 to 234. Also listed are Pexto pliers on pages 136-138 and Pexto shears on pages 142-143.

• Waterhouse-Lester-Scovel 1930. The Waterhouse-Lester-Scovel catalog No. 21 from around 1930 lists Pexto body work tools on page 605, including dolly blocks, spoons, dinging hammers, and fender pliers. Also listed are Pexto fender flange pliers on page 604.

  This catalog is undated and was published without copyright, but the date can be estimated as 1929-1930 by the contents.

Wrenches

Monkey Wrenches

[Pexto] Robinson's Patent 10 Inch Monkey Wrench

By 1894 Peck, Stow & Wilcox were offering adjustable wrenches based on the 1885 Robinson patent 320,172. This patent describes a spring-loaded pin to secure the adjusting screw to its ferrule.

Fig. 5. 1894 Ad for Robinson's Patent Monkey Wrenches. [External Link]

Fig. 5 shows an ad for a Robinson's patent monkey wrench, as published near the front of the October, 1894 edition of Hardware.

The text notes that the wrench was available in sizes from 6 to 21 inches.

Fig. 6. [Pexto] Robinson's Patent 10 Inch Monkey Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1890s to Early 1900s.

Fig. 6 shows a [Pexto] Robinson's patent 10 inch adjustable wrench, marked on the fixed jaw with "Robinson Patent" and "June 16, 1885" in an oval.

The overall length is 10.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This wrench is not marked with the company's name or logo, but is being attributed to Pexto based on the extensive advertising of this model.

P.S.&W. 6 Inch "Solid Bar" Monkey Wrench

This next figure shows an interesting early example of a patented "monkey" wrench produced by Pexto.

Fig. 7. Pexto 6 Inch "Solid Bar" Monkey Wrench, ca. 1900.

Fig. 7 shows a Pexto 6 inch "Solid Bar" adjustable wrench, stamped with "P.S.W. & Co." and "Solid Bar" on the shank, along with "Pat. Jan 14, 1896" and "Made in U.S.A." below.

The overall length is 6.5 inches.

The patent date corresponds to patent #553,059, issued to R.C. Ellrich with assignment to the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company.

The patent describes a novel construction technique whereby the fixed jaw can be made integral with the shaft and handle, instead of being added after assembling the sliding jaw. The trick to the assembly is that the sliding jaw has slits in the back, allowing it to be spread open for installation over the shaft.

P.S.&W. 10 Inch "Solid Bar" Monkey Wrench

Fig. 8. P.S.&W. 10 Inch "Solid Bar" Monkey Wrench, with Insets for Top View and Marking Detail, ca. 1900s.

Fig. 8 shows a Pexto 10 inch "Solid Bar" monkey wrench, stamped with "P.S.W. & Co." and "Solid Bar" on the shank, along wit "Pat. Jan 14, 1896" and "Made in U.S.A." below (see middle inset).

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

The patent date corresponds to patent #553,059, issued to R.C. Ellrich with assignment to the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company.

Pipe Wrenches

Pipe wrenches were an important tool in the late 19th and early 20th century, and the most popular model by far was the Stillson-pattern wrench.

The original Stillson pipe wrench design described by the 1869 Stillson patent #95,744 is arguably one of the most famous tool patents of all time. The Stillson pipe wrench was highly successful for its maker and generated a small fortune in royalties for the inventor, a fact that probably encouraged generations of later inventors to develop their ideas.

The original Stillson wrench was produced by Walworth Manufacturing and more information can be found in our article on Walworth.

After the Stillson patent expired, many manufacturers (including Pexto) began producing Stillson-pattern pipe wrenches, sometimes with minor variations or improvements.

Pexto 8 Inch Stillson-Pattern Pipe Wrench

Fig. 9. Pexto 8 Inch Stillson-Pattern Pipe Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 9 shows a Pexto 8 inch pipe wrench of the Stillson design, marked "Made in U.S.A." with the PEXTO-Oval logo.

The overall length is 7.0 inches.

The Pexto Stillson-pattern wrench was very similar to the original design.

Pexto 14 Inch Stillson-Pattern Pipe Wrench

Fig. 9B. Pexto 14 Inch Stillson-Pattern Pipe Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1914 to 1920s.

Fig. 9B shows a Pexto 14 inch Stillson-pattern pipe wrench, stamped with the PEXTO-Oval logo and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 11.8 inches closed and 13.6 inches fully extended.

The finish is plain steel, with black paint on the wooden handle.

The presence of the PEXTO-Oval logo indicates production in 1914 or later.

Pliers

Combination Pliers

Pexto 5-10 10 Inch Combination Pliers

Fig. 10. Pexto 5-10 10 Inch Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 10 shows a pair of Pexto 5-10 10 inch combination pliers, stamped with the PEXTO-Oval logo and "Made in USA" near the pivot. The pliers are also marked with "Made in U.S.A." forged into the underside of one handle.

The overall length is 10.0 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

Pexto 7-8 8 Inch Combination Pliers

Fig. 11. Pexto 7-8 8 Inch Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 11 shows a pair of Pexto 7-8 8 inch combination pliers, stamped "Made in USA" with the PEXTO-Oval logo, and with "Made in U.S.A." forged into the underside of one handle (not shown).

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

Pexto N8-7 7 Inch Universal Combination Pliers

Fig. 12. Pexto N8-7 7 Inch Universal Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 12 shows a pair of Pexto N8-7 universal combination pliers, stamped "Made in USA" with the PEXTO-Oval logo, and with "Made in U.S.A." forged into the underside of one handle (not shown).

The overall length is 6.9 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

Pexto 8 Bent-Nose Slip-Joint Pliers

Fig. 13. Pexto 8 Bent-Nose Slip-Joint Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 13 shows the Pexto No. 8 bent-nose combination pliers, marked "P.S. &W. Co." with the PEXTO-Oval logo, and with "Made in U.S.A." forged into the underside of one handle.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

Pexto 22-5 1/2 Slip-Joint Combination Pliers

Fig. 14. Pexto 22-5 1/2 Slip-Joint Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1947+.

Fig. 14 shows a pair of Pexto 22-5 1/2 slip-joint combination pliers, marked with the "PEXTO" block-letter logo and model number.

The overall length is 5.5 inches, and the finish is polished nickel.

The use of the "PEXTO" block letter trademark indicates production in 1947 or later.

Pexto WO-6 6 Inch Combination Pliers

Fig. 15. Pexto WO-6 6 Inch Combination Pliers, with Inset for Handle Pattern.

Fig. 15 shows a pair of Pexto WO-6 6 inch combination pliers, marked "Made in USA" with the PEXTO-Oval logo.

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

Pexto "Carlson" Slip-Joint Parrot-Head Pliers

Fig. 16. Pexto "Carlson" Slip-Joint Parrot-Head Pliers, ca. Mid 1920s.

Fig. 16 shows a pair of Pexto 7 inch parrot-head pliers, stamped with the PEXTO-Oval logo and "Made in U.S.A." on one handle, with "Carlson" in an oval panel forged into the other.

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

The "Carlson" marking indicates production by the Carlson Manufacturing Company or its contract maker.

Flat-Nose and Needlenose Pliers

Pexto No. 20 4½ Inch Box-Joint Flat-Nose Pliers

The next figures show two sizes of the Pexto No. 20 box-joint flat-nose pliers.

Fig. 17. Pexto No. 20 4½ Box-Joint Flat-Nose Pliers, with Inset for Joint Detail.

Fig. 17 shows a pair of Pexto No. 20 4½ inch flat-nose pliers, marked "P.S.&W.Co." and "U.S.A." with the PEXTO-Oval logo. (The etched markings are very faint, though, and require a magnifying glass to read.)

The overall length is 4.6 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

Pexto No. 20 5 Inch Box-Joint Flat-Nose Pliers

Fig. 18. Pexto No. 20-5 Box-Joint Flat-Nose Pliers, with Inset for Joint Detail.

Fig. 18 shows a pair of Pexto No. 20 5 inch flat-nose pliers, marked "P.S.&W.Co." and "U.S.A." with the PEXTO-Oval logo.

The overall length is 4.9 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

Diagonal Cutters

Diagonal cutters are an important and popular type of cutting pliers, and Peck, Stow & Wilcox were offering box-joint diagonal cutting pliers as early as 1903, making them possibly the first U.S. manufacturer to produce these pliers.

Pexto No. 27 Box-Joint Diagonal Cutters

Fig. 19A. 1910 Catalog Listing for No. 27 Box-Joint Diagonal Cutters.

Peck, Stow & Wilcox were offering "Swedish pattern" box-joint diagonal cutting pliers as early as 1903, based on a notice displayed earlier in this article.

The scan in Fig. 19A shows a catalog listing for No. 27 (and No. 127) box-joint diagonal cutters, as published on page 235 of the 1910 Peck, Stow & Wilcox catalog.

Fig. 19B. Pexto No. 27 Box-Joint Diagonal Cutters, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1914+.

Fig. 19B shows a pair of Pexto No. 27 box-joint diagonal cutters, stamped with the PEXTO-Oval logo.

The overall length is 5.3 inches.

These pliers closely resemble the "Swedish pattern" pliers illustrated in a 1903 Notice for Peck, Stow & Wilcox Diagonal Cutters.

The PEXTO-Oval marking indicates production in 1914 or later.

Lineman's Pliers

Pexto No. 30 6 Inch Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers

The next two figures show examples of the Pexto No. 30 6 inch lineman's pliers.

Fig. 20. [Pexto] No. 30 6 Inch Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1913-1915.

Fig. 20 shows a pair of [Pexto] No. 30 6 inch lineman's pliers, marked "P.S. & W." and "Guaranteed".

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles. Note the V-shaped transition at the front of the gripping pattern.

The diamond checkered gripping pattern with the V-shaped transition allows us to identify Utica Drop Forge as the maker of these pliers. The corresponding Utica model can be seen as the Utica 2050[-6] Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers.

The V-shaped gripping pattern and early P.S.&W. logo indicate early production from 1913 to around 1915.

Fig. 21. Pexto No. 30 6 Inch Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1920s.

Fig. 21 shows a later pair of Pexto No. 30 6 inch lineman's pliers, stamped "P.S.&W. Co." and "USA" with the PEXTO-Oval logo.

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

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles. Note that the front of the gripping pattern is flat, rather than the V-shape observed in earlier production.

The flat front of the gripping pattern suggests production in the 1920s or later.

Pexto No. 30-7 7 Inch Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers

The next two figures show examples of the No. 30 lineman's pliers in the 7 inch size.

Fig. 22. Pexto No. 30 7 Inch Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1913-1915.

Fig. 22 shows an earlier pair of [Pexto] No. 30 7 inch lineman's pliers with raised cutters, stamped "P.S. & W." and "Guaranteed" in a circle logo.

The overall length is 7.3 inches, and the finish is polished steel.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles. Note the V-shaped transition at the front of the gripping pattern.

The diamond checkered gripping pattern with the V-shaped transition allows us to identify Utica Drop Forge as the maker of these pliers. A similar Utica model can be seen as the Utica 2050[-8] Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers.

The V-shaped gripping pattern and early P.S.&W. logo indicate early production from 1913 to around 1915.

Fig. 23. Pexto No. 30 7 Inch Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers, with Insets for Handle Pattern and Box Detail, ca. 1915-1920.

Fig. 23 shows a later pair of Pexto No. 30 7 inch lineman's pliers with raised cutters, stamped "P.S. & W. Co. U.S.A." with the PEXTO-Oval logo.

The overall length is 7.3 inches.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles. Note the V-shaped transition at the front of the gripping pattern.

The V-shaped front of the gripping pattern with the later Pexto oval logo suggests production from around 1915 to 1920.

Pexto No. 30-8 8 Inch Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 24. [Pexto] No. 30 8 Inch Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1913-1915.

Fig. 24 shows a pair of [Pexto] No. 30 8 inch lineman's pliers with raised cutters, stamped marked "P.S. & W." and "Guaranteed" in a circle logo, with the model number below.

The overall length is 8.3 inches, and the finish is polished steel.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles. Note the V-shaped transition at the front of the gripping pattern.

The diamond checkered gripping pattern with the V-shaped transition allows us to identify Utica Drop Forge as the maker of these pliers. The corresponding Utica model can be seen as the Utica 2050[-8] Box-Joint Lineman's Pliers.

P.S.&W. No. 240-7 7 Inch Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 25. P.S.&W. No. 240-7 7 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Inset for Handle Pattern.

Fig. 25 shows a pair of P.S.&W. No. 240-7 7 inch lineman's pliers with raised cutters, stamped "P. S. & W." and "Made in U.S.A." across the pivot.

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

P.S.&W. No. 240-8 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 26. P.S.&W. No. 240[-8] 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail.

Fig. 26 shows a pair of P.S.&W. No. 240[-8] 8 inch lineman's pliers with raised cutters, stamped "P. S. & W." and "Guaranteed" around the pivot.

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

Pexto 500-8 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 27. Pexto 500-8 8 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 27 shows a pair of Pexto 500-8 8 inch lineman's pliers, stamped with the "PEXTO" block logo and the model number around the pivot.

The overall length is 8.4 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

Gas and Burner Pliers

Pexto 6-3 6 Inch Gas and Burner Pliers

Fig. 28. Pexto 6-3 6 Inch Gas and Burner Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Construction Detail.

Fig. 28 shows a pair of Pexto 6-3 6 inch gas and burner pliers, stamped with the PEXTO-Oval logo and "Made in U.S.A." near the pivot.

The overall length is 6.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Pexto 13-7 7 Inch Gas and Burner Pliers

Fig. 29. Pexto 13-7 7 Inch Gas and Burner Pliers.

Fig. 29 shows a pair of Pexto 13-7 gas and burner pliers, marked "Made in U.S.A." near the pivot.

The overall length is 7.3 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

Pexto No. 14 10 Inch Gas and Burner Pliers

Fig. 30. Pexto No. 14 10 Inch Gas and Burner Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Jaw Detail.

Fig. 30 shows a pair of Pexto No. 14 10 inch gas and burner pliers, marked "Made in U.S.A." with the PEXTO-Oval logo.

The overall length is 10.5 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

Other Pliers

Pexto Early [No. 60-6] 6 Inch Carpenter's Pincers

Fig. 31. Pexto Early [No. 60-6] 6 Inch Carpenter's Pincers.

Fig. 31 shows an early pair of Pexto [No. 60-6] carpenter's pincers, marked "P.S.&W. Co." and "Made in U.S.A." on the handle.

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

The model number is not marked on the pincers, but was found by reference to Pexto catalog No. 26T of 1927. This model was available in a range of sizes with nominal lengths 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 inches.

The catalog also listed the very similar No. 50 Carpenter's Pincers, identical to the No. 60 but without the wire cutting slot between the jaws.