Antique Sargent Adjustable Wrench

Overview

This adjustable wrench was manufactured by Sargent & Co. of New Haven, Connecticut, one of the major American toolmakers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It bears the “U.S. No. 88 – Solid Bar” marking and the January 14, 1896 patent date, placing its manufacture in the 1896–circa 1910 period.

Beyond its factory history, this wrench carries something rarer: the marks of the people who actually used it.

Restoration Story

This was one of my favorite restorations to date.

Each layer of decades-old grime that wiped away revealed something new— a previously hidden factory stamp, a hand-scribed name, another faint marking scratched in by someone who depended on this tool for work.

It felt less like “cleaning” and more like watching the history of the wrench re-emerge in real time.

The handwritten names “Hank” and “Henry”, along with a partially legible surname beginning with “Rog…”, remain clearly visible. After contacting the original seller, I learned that Hank Rog... was her grandfather’s best friend, adding a genuine personal connection to these markings rather than speculation.

Includes a printed care guide.

Condition & Restoration Details

• Fully disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled
• Mechanism cleaned and lubricated – jaw movement is smooth and precise
• Rust stabilized and preserved – no aggressive grinding or over-restoration
• Steel protected with paste wax
• Original hardwood handle cleaned, stabilized, and finished with traditional oil and beeswax
• Hairline handle checks stabilized internally (preventative, not cosmetic filling)
• Original patina intentionally retained

This wrench is fully functional and suitable for careful use, while still preserving the honest wear earned over more than a century.

Notable Markings

• SARGENT & CO.
• U.S. NO. 88
• SOLID BAR
• PAT. JAN 14/96
• Hand-scribed names: Hank, Henry, partial Rog…
• Additional faint inventory or shop markings consistent with industrial use

(See close-up photos—no enhancements beyond basic lighting and clarity.)

Dimensions

• Overall length: approx. 10.5 in
• Jaw capacity: approx. 1.25 in
• Weight: substantial, forged solid-bar construction

Notes for Buyers

This is a 120+ year old working tool, not a reproduction. Expect honest wear, patina, and surface marks consistent with age and use. Nothing is loose, cracked beyond stabilization, or compromised structurally.

If you value tools with real history, real use, and real hands behind them, this one has it.