Wacky Patents: Adjustable Hammer Wrench
By Benjamen Johnson
Randomly searching the web, we found this patent for a combined hammer and wrench from 1902. What’s interesting about this particular design: The claw of the hammer doubles as the fixed jaw of the adjustable wrench. The inventor wanted a functional hammer — not just some tool with a flat striking surface, like many multi-tools that have come and gone.
Charles J. Maggard designed the wrench so it didn’t interfere with the hammer function, yet he also made the sliding jaw to be completely removable if you found it did interfere. Though there’s little information about the intended use of the wrench, he mentions that a variation on the design could feature teeth for fitting pipes.
We’re not sure if this tool was ever manufactured, or if it was just somebody’s million-dollar idea that never reached fruition, but it’s another fine example of American ingenuity. For some more interesting wrenches that actually were produced, click the Meeker’s antique wrench archive link at the bottom of the post.
Combined Hammer And Wrench [Google Patent Search]
Antique Wrenches [Meeker's Patented Antiques]
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I’d buy it if it had a screwdriver on the end of the handle and a built-in tape measure.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
If Sharper Image had not folded, they would be selling this for $80. The handle would be covered with tempurpedic foam and it would also have a laser level.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
C’mon, it’s the earliest design of the Stanley Fatmax FUBAR. The design obviously jumped the shark do the the times, and you definitely would have been the laughing stock of the jobsite having that in your toolbelt.
November 4th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Hmm, brings to mind the classic “crescent hammer”. I’ve seen quite a few crescent wrench’s with dings and marks along the outside of the fixed jaw where someone used it to bang on something. This would just be an officially sanctioned crescent hammer. lol
November 5th, 2008 at 1:42 am
I’ve seen several variations of this on ebay. They’re usually all-steel, with a nail claw on the end of the handle and sometimes a file section on the handle. Compared to a lot of the combination tools that have been marketed this one looks relatively practical. For driving nails and turning lag bolts it wouldn’t have been so bad.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:49 am
It looks like a fubar…..