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Ice Tongs
This section contains ice tongs, both for carrying block ice and serving ice cubes.
Block Ice Tongs	Ice Cube Tongs

Block Ice Tongs

Patent 22,991 Feb. 15, 1859,

L – 10-1/2”, Spread 9-1/2”

Galvanized steel, pick on one leg and short blade on the other. Two handles, two points and one pivot. No markings

Patent 87,491 Issued Mar. 2, 1869

L – 14-3/4”, Spread 13-1/5” Large tongs,

L – 13-1/8”, Spread – 9” Small tongs,

PAT. MAR. 2, 1869 FERREE & HAYDEN MIDDLETOWN, CT. marked on the cap of the housing at the pivot. Markings on the smaller tongs unreadable. The housing contains a spring that keeps the tongs closed when not in use. Two oval shaped handles. The handles extensions have a small rib along the center and the tong legs have an expanded edge along the inside surface.

Patent 136,593 Issued Mar 11, 1873

L - 11-3/4”, Spread – 9”, PAT is stamped in the center of the handle. The tongs have an oval cross section shape.. The ice tongs are identified in the 1883 SIMMONS HARDWARE COMPANY catalog as No. 0, Ice Tongs, for Kitchen, $3.00 per dozen

Patent 136,593 Issued Mar 11, 1873 Variant

Length – 11”, Spread – 13-1/2”

The tongs are flat on the inside surface and has a convex outside surface. There is a ring around the two legs to keep them together while lifting ice blocks.

Patent 142,916 Issued Sept. 16, 1873

L – 12”, Spread – 16”,

Pre-Patent example. Two "T" handles 0.75-0.85' taper from outer end to center, hollow cylinder, all steel tongs, tong legs make a slip fit with the upper portion just below the pivot. And the thickness tapers from 0.25" at the junction to 0.18" at the tip. PATENT APL on the upper end of one leg at the junction fitting.

Shows location of patent info and the leg to handle casting interface.

PATENT APL centered on the back side of the junction of the leg and upper portion.

Patent 222,186 Issued Dec 2, 1879

L – 12-3/4”, Spread – 16”, PAT JUNE 25, 1878 is stamped on one side of each arm between the pivot and the handle. 0.20” material used for the tongs. The material of the legs is chamfered creating a very thin edge. The handle of has an ice pick on one end and hatchet on the other end.

Patent 247,861 Issued Oct. 4, 1881

L – 15-1/2”, Spread 13”

GIFFORD-WOOD CO. HUDSON, N.Y. stamped on the side of one tong leg and 551-12IN (12 indicating the tong span) on the other tong leg. There are no other marking on the tool. The tongs are listed in the GIFFORD-WOOD 1909 Catalog as Patent Link Cincinnati Tongs for $12.50 per dozen. Three sizes were listed; 10” 12” & 15”. Note: This particular set of ice tongs was manufactured many years after the patent was issued; however, it was made to the criteria of the patent. Gifford-Wood Co. was formed in 1905.

Patent 287,423 Issued Oct. 30, 1883 and RE10,548 Issued Jan 6, 1885

L – 15-3/8”, Spread – 16”

Tongs constructed of 0.35” roll steel stock. One continuous piece for each handle/leg. One side twisted over the other at the pivot point.

This item appears to new stock built to an old patent design.

Patent 329,523 Issued Nov. 3, 1885

L = 15”, Spread = 16-1/4”,

0.20” flat plate structure.

No markings. Oval type handles. Saw on one leg and sharpened outer edge on the other leg

Patent 361,108 Issued Apr. 12, 1887

L – 18-3/4”, PAT APR 12 87 & HSYBY on the sides of the handle. Tongs made of 0.16" flat plate steel, 0.125' flat plate steel for the links between the tongs and the handle. The handle is cast or forged steel, single handle and pivot.

Patent No. 446,171, Issued February 10, 1891

L – 12-1/2”, Spread – 12-3/4”

0.25” flat plat structure and oval handles.

The two sets of points are positioned at 90 degrees to each other. The point configuration prevents the ice block from swinging when being carried. No markings.

Patent 572,952 Issued Dec. 15, 1896

L – 17”, Spread - 14.5",

"THE JAXON" PATD. 12.15.96 on each tong near the pivot. 0.125” flat steel material for the tongs and handle bracket. Wooden handle.

Patent 572,952 Issued Dec. 15, 1896 Variant

L – 17”, Spread - 16",

No markings. Handle is 4” long including the castings attached to each end. The supports between the handle and the tongs are steel castings and 0.15 X 0.75” flat steel material for the tongs.

Patent 572,952 Issued Dec. 15, 1896 Variant

L – 13-3/8”, Spread – 11-1/2”,

Metal handle 3-3/4” long. Total tongs made of 0.125” thick by 0.73” wide flat steel. No markings.

Patent 576,461 Issued Feb. 2, 1897

L – 16-1/8”, Spread – 14”

An “F” is stamped in three locations on the tongs, probably by the owner. By squeezing the top and bottom parts of the handle together will cause the tongs to spread

Patent 576,461 Issued Feb. 2, 1897

L – 17-1/4”, Spread – 17”,

By squeezing the upper and bottom parts of the handle together causes the tongs to open. Tong legs made of 0.21" X 1.03' flat steel. LOUDEN, the patentee is stamped across the upper section of the handle and the patent date, FEB, 2 1897 is stamped on both links between the handle and the upper end of the tongs. All the lettering is difficult to read. Notice the difference in the shape of the upper end of the tongs with the link to the handle. This pair are straight where as the other pair are slightly curved.

Patent 578,215 Issued Mar. 2, 1897

L – 15-1/2”, Spread – 14-1/2”,

PATD MAR 2, 97 & 14 on one side of the tong leg. Patent date also on the four links between the handle and the tong legs, Double action pivot.

Patent 608,848 Issued Aug. 9, 1898

L – 16-1/4”, Spread – 11-1/4”,

A spring clip mechanism latches over the horizontal section of the lower portion of the handle assembly and retains the tongs in the open position. There are no markings. The latching mechanism is not exactly as show in the patent drawing but it and all the other features meet the intent of the invention.

Patent 618,748 Issued Jan 31, 1899

L – 15-1/2”, Spread – 13-1/2”,

PATD JAN 31 ‘99 is on the lower horizontal bar of the inner portion of the handle. Squeezing the inner “D” to the upper portion of the handle spreads the tong points for engaging the ice block. Handle portion made of roll stock 0.34” diameter and the tongs are made of flat stock 0.25” thick by 0.63’ wide.

Patent 836,594 Issued Nov. 20, 1906

L = 19-3/4”, Spread = 18-1/2”, 0.30” flat plate for the tongs and 0.62” dia stock for the handle. No markings.

Patent 1,065,056 Issued June 17, 1913

L – 23-1/4”, Spread - 17-7/8”

Heavy duty steel frame. It appears the scale indicated has been replaced. The scale works smooth and appears to be accurate. PATD JUNE 17, 1913 on the upper end of the scale housing just below the handle. 0-50 pound spring scale. I would hate to try to work with these tongs and try carrying 50 lbs. of ice!!! These were probably used at the ice house, moving large blocks and loading delivery vehicles.

Patent 1,401,777 Issued Dec. 21, 1921

L – 19-1/2”, Spread - 14,

VIVIAN stamped on each tong below the pivot. Made of flat plate steel 0.27” thick by 1.05” wide at the pivot. The bracket holding the single leather handle is riveted instead of bolted as shown in the patent.

Patent 1,090,039 Issued Mar. 10, 1914

L – 16”, Spread – 16”,

All metal, two handles, legs riveted to handle segments just below the pivot. Structure is 025" X 0.75" flat steel except for the oval handle which are rounded, oval shaped 4-3/4” wide. Points 90 degrees to legs. Offset of leg/handle attachment acts as stop to prevent hands from being pinched when the tongs are fully opened.

Patent 1,906,454 Issued May 2, 1933

L – 10”, Spread – 4-3/4”, The primary objective of the tongs is for lifting hot canned jars from the water and the serrated edges along the bottom side of the handle and the inside of the upper sections of the tong legs can be used for opening jars with twist-off caps. The patentee also states the tongs ‘may be utilized for grasping and lifting other article such as ear corn, meat, or even ice.”

Patent 2,177,038 Issued Oct 24, 1939

L – 16-3/4”, Spread – 15”,

D. HENDERSON, DALLAS, TEX, patentee, on opposite sides of tongs, one on each leg. Links between handle and tong top, handle made of 1" tubular steel.

Patent D182,334 Issued Mar. 18, 1958

Length and Spread – 11-1/2”

Chrome plated. THOMPSON ICE TONGS, PORTLAND, ORE.

PATS. DES. 182,334 AND PEND just below the handle and around the pivot point. One tong is fixed to the handle and the other moves about the pivot point.

L – 15-1/4”, Useful Spread – 16”

When closed the tool is an ice pick and hatchet and when opened it can be used as ice tongs. CAST STEEL is marked on the blade.

L – 14-3/4” Useful spread – 16”

CAST STEEL on one side of the blade and BOSTON and PAT PLD FOR plus some other unreadable lettering on the inside of the center bar of the handle. As can see be seen the tip of the pick and blade is broken.

L – 14-1/2”, Spread – 10”, GIFFORD-WOOD CO. HUDSON, N.Y. is stamped on the upper portion of each tong leg. The legs are made of 0.75”X0.25”flat steel and the tips are flattened and spread to 1.4” and have a small lip. The handle is 0.7” solid steel. There is a flat metal link between the top of each leg and one end of the handle.

L = 14”, Spread = 16-3/4”, 0.21” metal structure. Wooden handle. No special markings.

L = 14-3/4”, Spread = 12” 0.66” Tubular stainless structure with a plastic handle. An ice pick is inserted in the end of the handle. Markings on the handle – Shipmate STAINLESS ICE TONGS & PICK, LYMAN METAL PRODUCTS NORWALK, CONN.

L = 14”, Spread = 15-1/8”,

0.20” diameter structure.

PAT APL’D FOR upside down on the handle extension and just above the slot.

L – 13-1/2”, Spread – 11”

A wooden handle with brass ferrule on each end. JOS <> PHIL’A is stamped on one side of one of the tongs about 1-1/2” from the pivot.

L – 12-1/2”, Spread 15”

0.20” diameter wire construction.

MINDER COTTON OIL & ICE CO. LTD. PHONE 80 on one side of the upper portion of the handle, a flower pattern on the other side. Hinge point at base of handle and the tow tongs swing loose.

L – 12-1/2”, Spread – 16”

A wooden handle and 0.20” diameter wire construction.

POLAR ICE COMPANY Weston, W. Va. is printed on the handle.

L - 14, Spread – 14-1/2”, The tong legs are made of 0.75”X0.10” flat steel. The handle is a loose steel tube that can slide over the flat steel bar. The two tabs on the upper ends of the legs prevent the user’s hand from hitting the block ice when placing the tongs over the ice for pick-up.

L – 15”, Spread – 14-1/5”,

All metal, flat plate 0.25", two oval handles back-to-back (not side-by-side), small boss on one arm just above the pivot to prevent the handles from interfering and crossing.

L – 16”, spread – 15”, The two handles are in plane with the tongs. Hand made from 0.32”X0.50” steel stock and formed to shape. See how each handle is configured.

Comparison of two similar ice tongs. The one on the left is cast and joined by a nut and bolt at the pivot while the one on the right is hand worked flat stock and joined at the pivot with a rivet. Don’t know which came first???? Was the hand worked tongs a model for the cast tongs or a blacksmith saw the cast tongs and made the tongs from bar stock!

L = 15-3/4” including folded handle, Spread = 11-1/8”, 0.20” flat plate structure. “8” & “CL” marking on area between pivot and one end of handle. Leather strap handle.

L –13-1/4”, Spread – 11-1/2”

Double action pivot, two points, two "D" handles, 0.2" X 0.5" flat steel construction except the handles are rounded to 0.25" diameter. Will strip the black paint. Appears the handles are made of round stock and the ends are flattened and joined together to form the handles.

L –14-1/4”, Spread – 11-1/2”,

0.20 X 0.88 links, 0.26 X 0.75 flat steel tongs, 0.66 roll steel handle 4" long handle. The tong ends are rolled thru the links. A stop is welded on one tong which prevents the tongs from closing and pinching fingers or the hand. GIFFORD-WOOD CO. HUDSON, N. Y. on one tong. made to patent, 247,861 October 4, 1881

L – 16”, Spread – 13”

GIFFORD – WOOD CO. on one tong below the pivot point. 0.25” flat plate steel.

Handle cross section is “U” shaped, link between tongs and handle – 0.33”X0.75”X3.15” steel.

L – 14-1/2”, Spread – 14”,

GIFFORD-WOOD CO. HUDSON, N Y, 548-14 1/2 IN, stop on one leg to prevent tongs from opening too far and pinching hands. Two large oval handles 5” wide. Made of 0.25” flat steel structure with varying width being extra wide at pivot. Points at end of tong legs.

L - , Spread - ,

GIFFORD-WOOD CO. HUDSON, N. Y. on one tong made to patent, 247,861 issued October 4, 1881. Red paint in printing. Points are flattened and there are four notches on the outside curve of each leg to help break ice when struck with the tongs. 0.20 X 0.88 links, 0.26 X 0.75 flat steel tongs, 0.66 roll steel handle 4" long handle and tong ends have rolled ends thru the links.

L – 14”, Spread – 13-1/2”,

WM - WOOD & CO on one leg, Two oval handles 4-1/2” wide. Points 90 degrees to end of legs. Leg material is 0.30" thick. Single pivot.

L – 14”, Spread – 13”,

W. B. McGUIRE CO. INC, HUDSON, NEW YORK on one leg and 542-13 on the other leg. Two oval handles 5” wide. 90% of red paint remains. Points 90 degrees to end of legs.

L – 16-1/4”, Spread 15-1/2”

“T” handle, 2 pivot points, 4 points. No markings. The tongs are made of 0.15” flat steel except the lower 5” of tongs are a brass casting with 2 points each. The points are blunt and I question if these are ice tongs or for some other use! Comments.

L – 14”, Spread – 15”,

Wood “T” handle with the following marking.

CUSHING ICE COMPANY

CUSHING OKLA

PHONE 111

Double action pivots, 0.14” flat steel, 0.50” wide construction.

L – 12-3/4”, Spread – 12”,

Ridge along center of tongs and one pivot. Two oval handles 3-3/4’ wide and made of 0.38" diameter material.

L – 12-1/2”, Spread – 13-1/2”,

All metal tongs, rib down center of one side of tongs from handle to the points and other side from pivot to point. Tongs are 0.64" wide and .37" thick at the ribs. Two "T" handles 3.5" long. Two points and one pivot.

L – 9”, Spread – 21-1/2’,

Single handle 4.5’ long and 1.10’ diameter. The tongs are made of 0.3” wire/roll stock with two legs on each side.

L – 16-1/4”, Spread – 12-3/4”,

VIVIAN on one leg below the pivot, link between handle and legs.

L – 15-1/4”, Spread – 10-1/4”’ Tongs made of flat plate steel 0.13” thick and 0.53” wide. “D” shaped handle 5-1/2” wide. Spring between the pivot and the handle.

L – 11-1/4”, Spread – 12-1/2”,

PAT APD FOR around the pivot point and on both sides of the pivot housing. Main tong construction is 0.20” diameter wire.

L – 12-3/4”, Spread – 15-3/4”,

SAGINAW ICE & COAL CO. stamped on one side of one leg near the pivot. All metal tongs made with 0.11” thick by 0.5” wide flat steel.

L – 19-1/2”, Spread – 21”, KENWORTH MFG CO. MILWAUKEE, KARTON TONG on one of the tongs. Double action pivot and a single pivot at the attachment to the handle. Two rows of six teeth each on each tong. All metal structure made of flat steel, 0.14” thick and 0.64” wide. This item was not intended to handle block ice.

L – 17-1/2” , Spread – 17-3/4”,

Two oval handles 0.31” steel, upper portion of tongs are straight and parallel to the pivot and the legs curved. Tongs made of 0.33" thick and 0.50' wide steel. Points turn 90 degrees to legs. No markings

L – 16”, Spread – 13-1/2”,

Single handle made from flat stock and rounded to "U" shape in an arch for comfort in handling, single pivot, tongs made of 0.25" flat steel, two chain links between handle and tongs. No markings

L – 13-7/8” , Spread – 16-1/5”,

The tong legs are attached directly to the bottom of the handle. The legs are tapered in the area where they are connected to the handle. No markings.

L – 13”, Spread – 14-1/2”,

SIMCOX stamped on both legs, large oval handles made with round stock, tongs -flat stock, points 90 degrees to legs. Bevel on the pivot hole.

L – 14”, Spread – 10”,

The tongs are made of 0.37” rod steel flattened at the pivot. Two oval handles 4-1/2’ wide and made of 0.37' material. One handle is slightly smaller than the other. No markings.

L – 16”, Spread – 13-1/2”,

Single handle made from flat stock and rounded to "U" shape in an arch for comfort in carrying block ice. Single pivot. Tongs made of 0.25" flat steel. Two chain links between handle and tongs. No markings.

L – 15”,

H W on both sides of the links between the handle and the upper ends of the tongs, ? J HINKLEY, SANDUSKY, O. on both sides of tongs above the pivot. The tongs are made of 0.29" flat steel. Links on each end of handle are two flat plates between the handle and tongs.

L – 9-1/2”, Spread – 11’,

WHIPPLE MFG CO. SPIRIT LAKE, IA U.S.A., WHIPCO BRAND, 65, on both side of the tong legs, 2 "T" type handles. Non- ferrous metal, 0.22" thick at pivot. Traces of red and blue paint.

L – 13-1/8”, Spread – 12-1/4’,

D HENDERSON DALLAS TEX on one side of tong leg just below the pivot point and PAT P on the other side. Single handle shaped tubular steel and has flat plate extensions on each end with a slot to allow handle to slide.

L – 13-3/4”, Spread – 9-1/4”, The handle is rolled flat steel. The tong legs are made of flat steel 0.20” thick and 1” wide at the pivot. No markings.

L -12-1/2” , Spread – 11”,Wood handle and single chain link between handle wire tab end and top of each tong leg. No markings.

L – 12”, spread – 13-1/2”, Two “T” type handles. 4STAATSBURG stamped on one tong just below the pivot and HFORET scratched on both sides of the tongs.