Oddball short DBEs

[mudbox]

For the GMTK short DBEs, I would say that Bonney would be the easiest set to put together, followed by BluePoint. We've seen a nice complete set of Barcalo short DBEs in HartofOak's [fantastic] GMTK. Other brands made (and probably supplied) short DBEs to the military, but not in all appropriate sizes.

Here's one example of a wartime Armstrong DBE, marked HI-TENSILE in the smallest size (3/8" x 7x16") that I wanted to share. Anyone have any more? What other oddballs are hiding out there? Post em if you got em.


-Jason

[d42jeep]

Jason,
I'll play.
-Don

[d42jeep]

Here are some more.
-Don

[Hartofoak]

Coincidently, a nice Fairmount 5/8in x 3/4in DBE dropped through my post box today. It came from the UK via the auction site and I was the only bidder. On the reverse side it is marked "9727 SPEC". As Roger, alias Silly's MB, has remarked before, the 11/16in x 5/8in DBE shows up more often over here and I wondered if "SPEC" means special, i.e. not a regular size combination. Anyway, all I need now is the 3/8in x 7/16in to make another set to go with the Barcalos. In the photo, I've included a Blue Point, Bonaloy (date code C.S.), Williams Superwrench chrome alloy, Armstrong chrome vanadium and my favourite 1/4in x 5/16in Select Steel (FSN: 41-W-596?) that I use to bleed the brakes on my MB. Does anyone have an opinion on what make are the examples in RA PD 61760/96579 Figures 13/8, ORD 6 SNL G-27 Section 2? Are they Blue Points?

DBE Selection.jpg (233.04 KiB) Viewed 1010 times

[Silly's MB]

I am glad it was you Cliff or else I would of been kicking myself for not bidding. I have a Fairmount Fairalloy 5/8x 3/4 version also marked Spec and I have the same size Armstrong Hi Tensile also marked Special. Pictures tomorrow.

[Silly's MB]

I made a mistake, its a Chrome Vanadium not a High Tensile.

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Armstrong Special a.jpg (143.62 KiB) Viewed 962 times

Armstrong Special b.jpg (172.67 KiB) Viewed 962 times

[mudbox]

Looks like I let this fizzle out some. I had some more oddball examples to post, but time got away from me.
Time for a pic dump!

Jos. Shaw Co
Forged in USA
5/8" & 3/4"
plain finish



MAC BO 2024
size markings are on opposing sides 5/8" & 3/4"
black paint or japanned finish



Cornwell
Marked 32 CORNWELL 3
size markings are on opposing sides 3/8" & 7/16"
Plain finish



Blackhawk USA 15612
date code '4'
Finish is cadmium or phosphate



Not a GMTK size, but this Armstrong is pretty interesting
Not sure of the application, but it's 11/16" & 3/4"
Number 9729-A marked HI-TENSILE
plain finish



Here's the most interesting one of the bunch.
Vlchek grind off
No. WBC2024
3/4" & 5/8"
Marked 'ALLOY Made in USA' on the reverse
finish is cadmium or phosphate
I thought the flat panel design was prior to the raised panel?
This wrench isn't really supposed to exist, right?



That's it for me... for now.
I'm sure there's more oddballs out there. Lets see 'em if you got 'em!

-Jason

[mrbill]

Here's a 1942 15613 1/2" x 9/16" Blackhawk.

blackhawk-15612-1942.jpg (91.35 KiB) Viewed 716 times

[mudbox]

Bill, do you know when Blackhawk went away from the groove shank design? Is it possible my '4' marked Blackhawk is '54 and not '44?

Here's another addition to the list of short DBEs.
This Duro/Indestro 'Chrome Vanadium Steel' DBE is the same make as the (X) version.
Marked 'Made in USA'
3/4" & 5/8"
Plain steel

[mrbill]

Bill, do you know when Blackhawk went away from the groove shank design? Is it possible my '4' marked Blackhawk is '54 and not '44?

From what I've read on AA, the groove shank (sounds like a good name for a band) was from ~1940 through the early 50s. And, based on the catalogs on twertsy's site it looks like the wrench numbers had changed by 1954. So, maybe your wrench is 1934 or 1944 or mine is 1942 or 1952! My opinion is that yours is 1944 made with wartime restrictions (i.e., make it simple and fast) and mine is from 1942 since it's not chromed.

Bill

[d42jeep]

Even though Cliff, Roger, Dave and now Phil also have them, I think that one of the hardest wrenches to find is the Barcalo Buffalo 1/2" X 9/16" raised panel shorty DBE wrench. Here are some pictures of the ones that I have or used to have.
-Don

[twertsy]

In regards to Blackhawk, I also recently discovered a trademark for the RP "tri-line" design. TM is 1938, first use 1937. I have a few of these but they don't come up often. Given the TM date, it's certainly possible that they used this design during the war as well. I don't believe I've ever seen a chrome plated one, and as you all know, Blackhawk had great chrome.

Blackhawk RP TM: http://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?ca ... x=0&page=1

[gpw_42]

I found this Fairmount SDBE today, but am unsure of its vintage. The markings are forged in, not stamped, as shown in Cliff's Fairmounts above. AA didn't give me any insight on when it was made. Is it WW2 vintage? I know the sizes are GMTK correct, but...

Thanks,
Steve

[Silly's MB]

Hi Steve,
I would believe it to be circa 1950's as it is similar to the open ended spanners found in dated tool rolls which bare the forged 'Fairmount' as opposed to the stamped wartime marking.

Definitely a hard to find wrench in the correct size whatever the marking.

[Len Jones]

Jason seeing your Armstrong 9723 reminded me that I have this set, a lucky find here in the U.K. especially as all three were together

9728-A Hi Tensile 5/8'' X 11/16''
9725-B Hi Tensile 1/2'' X 9/16''
9723 Hi Tensile 3/8'' X 7/16''

I wonder if Armstrong also produced a 5/8'' X 3/4'' variant as a special that might not be listed in their catalogues ? Looking back to Roger's post it seems that they did - 9729 Special