The "Longshanks" Survey: Get out yer Offset DBE's!

[mudbox]

Thanks Wingnutt. It was the CV marking that made me pick it up. I had a feeling it was from the right time frame. Good to know that Wilde is a known supplier. Maybe I'll keep a casual lookout for the rest of the set.
-Jason

[Wingnutt]

You lost me, mud. CV was eliminated with alloy restrictions. Unless you mean you're looking specifically for pre-war or very early war (1941) and the possibility that some CV was snuck in in early 1942. The problem with that is that the first MVMTS did not have any long DBEs. Remember, the first time they were specified in a GMTK is October 1942. So even if you choose to ignore the SNL (15* pattern), they wouldn't be CV that late in 1942.

[mudbox]

The problem with that is that the first MVMTS did not have any long DBEs. Remember, the first time they were specified in a GMTK is October 1942.

Sigh, I forgot about that...

[d42jeep]

I was finally able to get to my Dunlap offset 3/4" X 11/16" wrench and take a couple pictures. Vintage unknown but wartime looking finish.
-Don

[twertsy]

Cool thread Greg........I'm going to raid my stash trying to find an 11/16 x 3/4 later.
From my catalogs (so far):
1943 S-K = No
1939 P&C = No
1941 Herbrand = No
1939 Duro = No
1941 Cornwell = No
1941 Bonney = No

[mudbox]

Dunno if there is a better place to post these, but this thread seems the most appropriate to me.
Here is a GMTK complete brand matching set of Williams <W> Chrome Alloy DBEs. The 3/4"x11/16" and the 7/8"x13/16" were posted upthread. The smallest is marked NO 7029 - SPECIAL, followed by NO 4731B and NO 4033C.
The #4033C came from the repacks and was coated in cosmoline. I assumed it would be plated when I scrubbed away the cosmoline, but apparently not...

Opinions on the probability of these wrenches sneaking in (chrome plated) with the changes into a GMTK in Oct. '42, or later? The plated 'special' wrench makes this at least plausible in my opinion. Thoughts?




-Jason

[twertsy]

That's K.C., MO, not MD, mud. Wilde is still in operation in Kansas City, believe it or not. (Here is a link... http://www.harryepstein.com/blogs/a-tri ... e-tool-co/ ... to a little blog piece that the venerable Harry J Epstein's did on them last year.) They've been around since the 30's at least. Like Moore, they made some of their own stools, but they made a lot of tools for others, including Western Auto Stores. They had a large contract with the Navy in 1942. Wilde is most popular here for a valve lifter, but the pliers in Greg Hines' complete set of "41-W-900" marked ignition wrenches were "WILDE" marked, and I found 1950's era "WILDE" marked ignition wrenches in a Signal Corps kit . For that reason, I think they are the leading candidate as the makers of the "41-W-900" marked wrenches. Whether those are wartime or not has not been proven. Your DBE is no later than early to mid 1942 with that CV marking, but it is good to know someone with a little more military credibility than Dunlap was making that combination of opening sizes in the 45* pattern. Unless the ORD specified it (March 45 ORD 5) and never bought any, someone had to be making them for some as yet unknown application late war.

Here's a bunch more detail on Wilde's history: http://toolarchives.com/node/1174

[mudbox]

Mission accomplished!
Finally found the missing Bonney 'Bonaloy' 2893C (3/4" & 11/16") to complete my wartime GMTK Bonney Longshanks.
Bonney 2894B 15/16" & 1" Dated F•T
Bonney 2894C 13/16" & 7/8" Dated K•T
Bonney 2893C 11/16" & 3/4" Dated F•T











That #2893C is a bit of a Unicorn...

-Jason

[pjones]

Congrats Jason! Those will look great in your set.

Phil

[Wingnutt]

Awesome. Perseverance pays off! And all the same year!!

I didn't notice this before, but it looks like Bonney made that 2894C with the same die as the 2894B. The shanks and the box ends are the same dimensions, which is very unusual. Typically, it would be smaller. The only difference is the broaching. And because it was the same die, it left more steel on the box end after they broached it for smaller opening sizes. That's why it's thicker there. Very cool.

[lt.luke]

I do not own a wrench that satisfies your query.

[Wingnutt]

I do not own a wrench that satisfies your query.

So far, nobody does, luke! And I am convinced it's going to stay that way.

[lucakiki]

All my wrenches, both formy keeper set both for a few for sale toolboxes are patiently hosted at Phil's place. He knows bettter than I do what is there and what is not.

Phil, if in my stash there is anything that might be useful for this thread, you are absolutely entitled to snap pictures and share them.
Thank you, Phil, for taking care of my mess!

[pjones]

Luca,
I have enjoyed playing curator to your stash! I am currently studying the effects of sun and palm trees on one's psyche but I'll check on them as soon as I get back.

Phil

[lt.luke]

I am currently studying the effects of sun and palm trees on one's psyche...

Phil

I should think negative in the extreme! You must find your way back to a dimly lit, poorly ventilated building full of rust and cosmolene immediately!