the old adjustable 'monkey wrench' still works just fine!

And, in fact, this exact wrench was actually rather invaluable a few weeks ago while helping repair a friend's hot water tank, mostly because of its only 8-1/4" total length, which allowed it to fit in amongst the assorted plumbing to actually *turn* the nut that needed fixed -- where the rest of the various tools (I had with me...) were all somewhat too large for the exact situation. My friend noticed the difficulty (because of my out-loud cursing at it?? <lol>) and offered that "I've got some old rusty wrenches that somebody gave me" out in the garage -- we went for a look and I zeroed in on this one immediately -- both because it looks really cool, AND because it truly *did* honestly look like it'd work for the job. REALLY, I swear?!! <lol>

Once I was done and nothing was dripping anymore and I remarked that the wrench had worked perfectly, (and that I liked it a lot because it was old and cool...couldn't help myself...) my friend's instant response was "Oh, you can keep that thing if you want it, I don't need it" . . . ??? OFFER ACCEPTED??!!! <LOL> :-) :-) :-)

As can be seen, its handles are riveted wood on either side of a fully iron shaft also holding the movable jaw and well worn knurled adjusting nut. The square side of its head (a little over 2" total) opposite the fixed wrench jaw has obviously also served as a hammer, its face now somewhat mushroomed and bearing those scars.

There are no marks anywhere on it except for sideways-stamped "B"s on either side of the head that I'll guess were added by a former owner.