three handle wrench

[mrtwintower]

An uncle found this wrench and was wondering what it might be used for. On the handle it says Marquette foundry, st. paul minn. There is also a patent date but it is unreadable. We told him this might be the place to solve this unusual item. It is 12 inches long.
thanks!

 

[WishfulThinker]

Probably something to do with holding molten metal crucible, with some kind of lid. I suspect to control the pouring stream for precision small cast parts.

 

[DCMatt]

Cool find! I love stuff like this. You might consider changing your titel to "Three arm pliers" since it isn't a wrench.

I've only found a possible date range so far. I find references to Marquette Foundry dating back to 1861. By 1882 all the refernces are for Marquette Mfg. Co. So I think that dates your pliers to the 1860's or 70's. I found some 3 arm pliers but they all had the third arm to punch something. It doesn't look like yours would punch.

These may have just been someone's "good idea" back then, giving the tool user an option to apply a harder/softer grip using the different arms.

Any more info on where they were found or other relics recovered?

Still researching.

DCMatt

 

[mrtwintower]

dcmatt- this was found in an area that had a old fort. The fort/town was in existence from 1853 till about 1873. I know this place had a blacksmith shop and other services a fort might need. We have found some 3 ringers from this site as well. There was also a ox cart trail that went thru the area which carried goods from winnipeg canada to st.paul mn. It might be something they carried/used?
Thanks for your research so far. I still have to learn searching on the internet better.
Thanks again

 

[Rasputin]

I believe it is some kind of wagon axle nut pliers.

 

[daroofa]

Battery terminal puller.

 

[mojjax]

Battery terminal puller.

Nice ID

 

[mrtwintower]

daroofa knocks it out of the park...again!!
Thanks so much for the id.

 

[mrtwintower]

thanks all

 

[PChammer]

Just had to say nice ID daroofa!