Bendix brake wrench 41-W-890-20...but what vehicle?

[Wingnutt]

I have these wrenches. One is a Williams ALLOY V Superrench P/N 1987. The other is unbranded, but it has a Bonney date code (1944) and an FSN (41-W-890-20). They are identical, and, as you can see, very unusually low profile wrenches. Extremely thin shank for the length (22" OAL) and extremely thin ring on the box ends, which are 1-5/8" x 1-1/2" openings. Intuitively, they look like they want to turn something after a long reach and tight quarters that probably doesn't require much force or torque. I am trying to figure out their application.

Phil (pjones) sent me this very helpful snippet from the April 1945 ASF 50-2, Alphabetical List of Tool and Tool Equipment, which, as the name implies, is just a massive and generic list, with no indications of applications/vehicles. The opening sizes in the nomenclature description fits these wrenches exactly. Strongly indicating they are for Bendix brakes.

Based on the description, if we interpret "Duo anchor" (which seems a little ORD-mangled...) to mean "Duo-server Double anchor", here is a diagram.

The wrenches in question might could be intended to turn the anchor lock and adjusting nuts on typical Bendix 14" duo-server double-anchor brakes.

Separately, mudbox tipped me off to an old eBay sale on Worthpoint in which the seller stated, vaguely, that the wrench was issued to M4 Sherman tanks, with no further explanation or reference. And, lo and behold, I discovered that M4 Sherman tanks had multi-shoe single- (early) and double-anchor (later) type steering brakes on the working ends of these levers!

Here are some excerpts from a TM9-754 and a couple period Army Motors articles that were very helpful in identifying the locking and adjusting nuts (note the potentially 3/16" difference in their AF diameters) on these steering brakes as potential applications.

One problem is that the TM's (linked here and here) do not list any double box end wrench or any other brake wrench in their tool list. Making matters worse, the maintenance procedures indicate to use a 1-1/2" and 1-1/8" open end wrench, respectively, or, if no wrenches were handy, water pump pliers. And neither the TM's or the Army Motors articles mention Bendix as the supplier or type of brake.

QUESTIONS THEREFORE:

Does anyone know anything about M4 Sherman tank steering brakes?
Were they made by Bendix?
And does it makes sense that these 41-W-908-20 wrenches were used to turn the locking and adjusting nuts on the steering brake anchor rod?

Separate from the M4 Sherman angle, Bendix duo-server double-anchor brakes were prevalent in the 30's, 40's, and well into the 50's on cars and tractors. Does anyone know what WWII vehicles used them?

Does anyone have a separate reference that identifies Bendix part numbers, and in particular T-50024, by application (i.e., vehicle)?

Does anyone have any other thoughts?

[Joe Friday]

I can't say anything about the history or use of the wrench but I can say they are suddenly showing up in Denver area antique stores as novelties

[Wingnutt]

Haha. Cause and effect.

[Wingnutt]

I found another reference for these Bendix wrenches, made by Williams and Bonney. The ORD 6 SNL G-27 dated May 1947, which has a note on the title page saying it superseded the July 1945 edition and was "correct to 12 December 1946." The attached is a composite.