P & C Hand Forged Tool Company [Under Construction]

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Selected Tools
• References and Resources
• What's New (Last Updated Mar. 6, 2008)
  Recent changes to this page:

  • 03/06/2008: Added a P&C 2718 Combination Wrench.
  • 12/30/2007: Updated patent table.
  • 11/09/2007: Added a P&C N-84 Offset Box-End Wrench.
  • 11/05/2007: Added a P&C 2220E Offset Box-End Wrench.
  • 10/13/2007: Added a P&C 6211 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 05/25/2007: Added a P&C N-86 Offset Box-End Wrench.
  • 05/22/2007: Added a P&C 9206 3/4-Drive Extension.
  • 05/18/2007: Moved to separate page, added a P&C 6008B 1/2-Drive Universal Extension.
  • 03/17/2007: Added a P&C 1708-S Adjustable Wrench.
  • 01/06/2007: Added a P&C 2232 Offset Box-End Wrench.
  • 12/14/2006: Added a P&C 2222-E Offset Box Wrench.
  • 12/13/2006: Added a P&C Ell Breaker Bar and a P&C 2225 Offset Box Wrench.
  • 12/12/2006: Added a P&C 2228 Offset Box-End Wrench.
  • 12/11/2006: Added a P&C Ratchet Wrench.

Introduction

P&C is best known as a subsidiary of Plomb Tool (later Proto), but was an interesting and innovative company in its own right. Founded around 1920, the company had developed a very extensive line of automotive service tools by the end of the 1920s.

Company History

P&C was founded in 1920 by John N. Peterson and Charles F. Carlborg. Their first location was in Idaho, but the company soon moved to Oregon, first to Lebanon, Oregon and then to Milwaukie (a suburb of Portland). By 1924 the P & C Hand Forged Tool Company was listed in the Polk's Portland City Directory, a business directory covering the Portland area.

Patents

Trademarks

P&C was not very active in the trademark arena, with their only known trademark being the P&C logo. The trademark was filed in 1951 and registered in 1953, with the first use listed as January of 1926.

Selected Tools

P&C Early 1/2-Drive Ell Breaker Bar

Fig. 1. P&C 1/2-Drive Ell Breaker Bar, with Inset for Marking Detail.

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

P&C Early 6008B 1/2-Drive Universal Extension

Fig. 2 shows a rare early 1/2-drive P&C 6008B universal extension, marked with the P&C logo.

Fig. 2. P&C 6008B 1/2-Drive Universal Extension, ca. 1920s.

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

This tool is not marked with a model number, but was identified by the illustration in the 1929 P&C catalog No. 8. The catalog shows a price of $1.90 net to the trade.

P&C 6211 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 3. P&C 6211 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 3 shows a 1/2-drive P&C 6211 ratchet, marked with the model number and P&C logo.

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

P&C 9206 3/4-Drive Extension

Fig. 4 shows a 3/4-drive P&C 9206 15 inch extension, marked with the model number and P&C logo.

Fig. 4. P&C 9206 3/4-Drive Extension.

The overall length is 15.2 inches.

P&C Early Ratchet Wrench

Fig. 5. P&C Early Ratchet Wrench.

Fig. 5 shows an early P&C 9/16 hex ratchet wrench marked with the P&C logo.

The overall length is 8.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

P&C 2220E Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 6. P&C 2220-E 9/16x5/8 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 6 shows a P&C 2220E 5/8x11/16 offset box-end wrench, marked with the P&C logo stamped on the shank.

The overall length is 9.3 inches, and the finish is nickel plating, with some loss due to wear.

P&C 2222-E Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 7. P&C 2222-E 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 7 shows a P&C 2222-E 5/8x11/16 offset box-end wrench with the P&C logo stamped on the shank.

The overall length is 9.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

P&C 2228 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 8. P&C 2228 3/4x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 8 shows a P&C 2228 3/4x7/8 offset box-end wrench with the P&C logo stamped on the shank.

The overall length is 12.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

P&C 2232 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 9. P&C 2232 15/16x1 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 9 shows a P&C 2232 15/16x1 offset box-end wrench with the P&C logo stamped on the shank.

The overall length is 14.7 inches, and the finish appears to be nickel plating, though darkened by rust.

P&C N-84 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 10A. P&C N-84 13/16x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 10A shows a P&C N-84 13/16x7/8 offset box-end wrench, stamped with the P&C logo.

The overall length is 11.3 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

P&C N-86 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 10B. P&C N-86 1-1/16x1-1/8 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 10B shows a P&C N-86 1-1/16x1-1/8 offset box-end wrench, stamped with the P&C logo.

The overall length is 15.1 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

P&C 2225 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 10B. P&C 2225 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 10B shows a P&C 2225 3/4x25/32 offset box-end wrench with the P&C logo stamped on the shank.

The overall length is 11.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.

P&C 2718 Combination Wrench

Fig. 11. P&C 2718 9/16 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 11 shows a P&C 2718 9/16 combination wrench, stamped with the P&C logo on the shank.

The overall length is 7.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

P&C 1234 Compound-Leverage Slip-Joint Pliers

Fig. 12. P&C 1234 Compound-Leverage Slip-Joint Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 12 shows the P&C model 1234 compound-leverage pliers, marked "Mfd. U.S.A." with the P&C-Logo and a patent notice. (A patent number is stamped on the tool, but has been partially worn off so that only the last three digits "512" are readable.)

The overall (extended) length is 8.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The full patent number was found to be patent #2,600,512, issued to H.A. Mead in 1952. This patent was also used by Proto for its equivalent model.

P&C 1708-S 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 13. P&C 1708-S 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 13 shows a P&C 1708-S 8 inch adjustable wrench, stamped with the P&C-Logo and a registered trademark symbol, and with "Forged Alloy Steel" in forged raised letters.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The maximum head thickness was measured at 0.50 inches.

This example is finished in black oxide, as indicated by the "S" suffix to the model number. Adjustable wrenches were also available with a chrome plated finish.

A forged-in code "P55" can be seen on the shank at the right.

References and Resources

Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in my personal collection.

Catalog Coverage

Product information was obtained from P&C catalog No. 8 of 1929 and catalog PC61200 of 1961.

Patent and Trademark Information

Patent information was obtained from the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO) web site at uspto.gov. Patent documents were obtained from sites offering free downloads, notably freepatentsonline.com.

Feedback

If any readers have additional information regarding P&C, please let us know via the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any page. Your comments and suggestions are welcome as well.