Pincers, pliers

A set of small hand-forged iron pincers with angular, flat-faceted jaws. The handles (arms) bevel outwards before straighting. One end terminates in a triangular shaped cap; the other is riveted to a swivel arm which clips over the handles; effectively locking the jaws in a closed position. The arms are decorated with incised bands and crosses. No marks. Date uncertain.

These pincers (pliers) are unusual. They are not disimilar to carpenters' pincers - though they have a rounded head. They are also a little like a grozing tool. It all probability it had various functions and was used for clipping glass or sheet metals and other high tensile or brittle materials. It could also have been used to withdraw rivets, pins and nails as the robust, angled jaws would have acted as a lever to generate a high pull-out force. The clip securing the handles is a distinctive feature and the tool is quite well engineered. It is possible that it was used by a shipwright as it was found on the Thames foreshore but tools of this sort could have been used by many other trades.