Old Pliers

[mick56]

Here are 2 old pliers that I have. The longer pair have a pretty strong spring to keep them closed. The shorter pair have a light spring to close them, but have a lip on the end of the jaws to catch on something. Just wondering what they are for.

The long pliers have a cross hatch pattern on the inside of the jaws, like they are for gripping.

 

[villagenut]

The top one is used by electricians. The purpose of the pliers is to open a link of chain in order to add or take away the length of chain that hold a hanging light. If you just twist the link sideways to get the link to open up, it weakens the link and may possibly cause the light to fall. Opening the link with these pliers prevents this compromise due to the fact that it is bending it outward and not twisting the metal link, which is often just pot metal.This is why they are sprung shut, because they are made to open the link from the inside. They likewise will close the link in the same fashion by gripping the link on the outside and closing it like a normal pair of pliers.We call these chain pliers..here's a link BTW

Chain Pliers | Toolmonger

 

[Ant]

I need to see the tips, seems to be snap ring or clip pliers.

 

[cudamark]

Agreed, the bottom pair look like snap ring spreaders.