This story begins on Veteran's Day, when I found this wrench the corral of a wiley vendor at the local flea. He's a pretty decent guy, and a wheeler-dealer, who's burning a little over the recent purchase of an M38A1 from some online source. I snapped some pics and sent them to Don, but didn't ask a price for the wrench, thinking I'd be back the next weekend. Don confirmed that the wrench is the right shape, via email, so I'm happy. Besides, the wrench doesn't open and close like it should, so there's NO WAY anybody else will buy it, right?
I missed a couple weeks "hunting" at the flea, and when I got back to the vendor's space after Thanksgiving, there's no wrench to be found. CRAP! Oh well, rookie mistake, right? I didn't say anything to the vendor, as I gaffed off his effort to sell me a National Ordnance M1903A3 (repro, made from cast receiver) for $900. I was in there yesterday, after being sick and parked on the couch from Thursday through Saturday, and BOOM there's the wrench. I asked a price, and he says "I'm going to make you a Christmas deal...." so I just paid the man his asking price, and have attacked the wrench with Kroil and pipe cleaner. It doesn't yet move like it should, but I think I'm making headway.
- IMG_1294.jpg (180.49 KiB) Viewed 1023 times
- IMG_1295.jpg (179.05 KiB) Viewed 1023 times
I've got some other tools (mostly non-WW2, but...) I've gathered up since I last posted, including a FairmounT 731, but I'm having camera issues. Need to get that fixed (new camera from Santa?) and catch up on the other little stuff, before the end of the year.
Merry Christmas!