The Lugzsonian - A Virtual Tour

[Private Lugnutz]

Oh, and this is definitely antique, well pre-villainous Nazi, but we can't read the name above the COO, which might be a company name or a place name. Looks like _ _ _ _ ENZ, and we don't think Koblenz. Anybody thinks they can, please shoot us a reply!

 

[Outlawmws]

rakmenz?

 

[RTM]

ITCL has two German or Germany (forget the searched term) catalogs that carry those multi tool, check features to pick a year, but neither says the maker.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

rakmenz?

It looks like the first few letter are worn at the top. So something like...

,¿;<ENZ

I'm going to scan a few gazeteer type things and maybe some German manufacturing sources just to see if anything ending in ENZ other than KOBL and B pops out.

 

[Old Radar]

Beyond Koblenz, I found only two towns ending in "enz": Erkelenz & Kamenz. Neither boast past or present manufacturing capability of any note. The former is on the western border near the Netherlands and Belgium, while the latter is in the former DDR near the borders of Poland and the Czech Republic and known chiefly as the birthplace of convicted kidnapper of the Lindbergh baby, Bruno Hauptmann. There are several towns that end in "z" but none really conform to the length or character spacing of your word.

I suspect it is the name of the manufacturer.

 

[Outlawmws]

Schitz Germany - Only Pliers Mfg I have in Germany with a "Z" on the name

 

[Old Radar]

Schitz Germany - Pliers Mfg

You know those are crappy.

 

[Outlawmws]

I knew something like that was coming before I even posted!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I suspect it is the name of the manufacturer.

Thanks for the legwork and the lead, OR!

 

[LesserSon]

I see FAE MENZ, but the first three letters are just guesses - they are very weak at the top. I am more confident about the M.

August Menz was a firearms manufacturer in Suhl Thuringia Germany. His son Alfred took over after his death in 1918.
I am not suggesting this is the same manufacturer, but just agreeing with OR and adding my own guess that the last name is Menz, whatever the preceding letters might be.

EDIT - there was one on eBay with a clearer stamp “F&E MENZ GERMANY”. The idea that these were issued to German military (or civilians, for that matter) is wrong-headed, because “Germany” is an English word; they were made for the English-speaking market. (There was a “Germania” tool on a thead a while back that would have been for the Italian market.) I think someone on etsy speculated that they were made for fence maintenance. The wire cutter, nail claw and hammer head support that, but overall it’s pretty small and light for any real task, and the hatchet head, pipe jaws and screwdriver tip don’t add up to anything I can think of. The hatchet head doesn’t make any sense at all to me, since it is too light for anything, and would create a hazard if actually sharp enough to function.

I just saw a similar multitool in my hoard yesterday…I’ll look for it.
EDIT, redux - Ah, here it is. Same textured grip, but different name “HARLO” above Germany. There was one like mine on eBay, too.

 

[tombell572]

Lugz--that's a spanner for tightening and loosening couplings on 2 1/2" fire hose as shown in the patent drawing. It's also somewhat of a multi-tool, can be used to turn off a gas **** and for light prying. The loop on the end is to hang on the buckle of a firefighter's turnout coat. Primary makers are Akron Brass and Elkhart Brass, both old major manufacturers of firefighting nozzles and appliances. They are used in pairs on hose couplings and several sets are usually carried on their own specifically made base on pumpers. These haven't changed much over the years.

Tom B.

 

[Old Radar]

EDIT - there was one on eBay with a clearer stamp “F&E MENZ GERMANY”.

1. Excellent detective work, LS!
2. I understand the seller's eye-catching sales technique, but those rough, red, oyster-shucker's hands ruin it for me!

 

[RTM]

2. I understand the seller's eye-catching sales technique, but those rough, red, oyster-shucker's hands ruin it for me!

Do we need to do something like this for you, get better hands in the image?

 

[Old Radar]

^^^ Infinitely better!!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz--that's a spanner for tightening and loosening couplings on 2 1/2" fire hose as shown in the patent drawing. It's also somewhat of a multi-tool, can be used to turn off a gas **** and for light prying. The loop on the end is to hang on the buckle of a firefighter's turnout coat. Primary makers are Akron Brass and Elkhart Brass, both old major manufacturers of firefighting nozzles and appliances. They are used in pairs on hose couplings and several sets are usually carried on their own specifically made base on pumpers. These haven't changed much over the years.

Thanks, Tom! Much appreciated. It confirmed some of my intuition and clarified the others. But you didn't mention the bottle opener! That opening in the pry is not wide enough, but...., where there's a will, there's a way!

“F&E MENZ GERMANY”.

I owe you, fine sir!

The idea that these were issued to German military (or civilians, for that matter) is wrong-headed, because “Germany” is an English word; they were made for the English-speaking market.

Yeah, common mistake by many. Clearly an export.

Do we need to do something like this for you, get better hands in the image?

Why I'm your honor.

 

[tombell572]

Lugz--that's brilliant! We have quite a few hose spanners in the store room at the fire museum and I'm sure the creative minds in the restoration shop could make the necessary modification. Would need to bring in a case of beer for some destructive testing.

Tom B.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No mod needed! Pushing down on the curved part puts fulcrum pressure on the hook under the lip of the cap and it popped right off!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Why I'm your honor.

Either this phonetic joke fell flat, or those dogs aren't Weimeraners.

 

[RTM]

Either this phonetic joke fell flat, or those dogs aren't Weimeraners.

Or I am really slow this week. Those pictured, and 2 of mine, are all Weims. We make more joke on the short form, getting a Weim glass, going on a Weim walk.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

We here at the Lugzsonian are not exactly fond of proprietary markings, or owner's marks, as they are often called in our hobby for short, on tools. We don't hate them. And when they're very well done, when they seem to complement the tool in style and age or characteristics, and they're well-placed (i.e., not obscuring a branding or trademark or other markings), we even occasionally admire them. Given the choice, though, we'd prefer none at all.

But we do like to collect the stamps!



That Numberall set in the tin, front and center, is the newest addition to the collection, found at the flea market yesterday. It's a pretty cool tin with all the branding on the lid...



...and the stamps nestled inside cut-outs in a fitted wooden block.



@454ragtop found the same set back in 2019, only his example was packed in a completely wooden box with some very cool literature pasted under the lid bearing the second patent. My stamps have the first and the second patent, so I am not sure of the sequence between the two boxes.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Each stamp is identical in every way except for the figures on the dial. One includes A - M, plus &, the second includes N - Z, and the third includes 0 - 9, X, and a hyphen.





Followers of the 'BELL SYSTEM' thread may have seen our Bell System Numberalls before, with larger figures, numbers only.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

We're suitably impressed that the company is still in business - although they've relocated to Maine.



We think it's telling - and charming - that they had to let customers know the 1930's stamps are not for sale!




More advertising..



And the second patent...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Perhaps it's a good thing we don't like owner's marks (or onerous marks, as the Curator quipped under his breath in between curses), because we're not very good at them! (No, he wasn't drunk. The Staff told him to use a guide, but he forged ahead freehand like an eedjit.)

 

[RTM]

The Staff told him to use a guide, but he forged ahead freehand like an eedjit.)

That's what mine look like when I use a guide, you should be pleased.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's what mine look like when I use a guide, you should be pleased.

Snerk.

 

[Outlawmws]

I like it I need to find something I don't mind stamping and make an "OUTLAW'S MUSEUM" "sign" I have soem big stamps...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugzsonian followers may remember Curator's Corner #5: The Casket Key. We'll call this CC#5: the Sequel.

When the Acquisitions Dept informed us he had found another antique, bronze, ornamental casket key, we were not the least bit surprised it was inside an old toolbox. We don't know if these old geezers who were obviously using them as hex keys with handles are just practical, macabre, trying to be funny, or a little of all three, but with our second such find, we have no doubt they were being used. Like our first, made by Crane & Breed Casket Company for locking their line of Ever-Seal branded caskets for all eternity, this Boyertown Casket Company example has a bronze handle wrapped around a bronze-plated steel hex key.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

We only need one more to make it a killer collection!

Here are both together...



...and some literature on Boyertown...

 

[Outlawmws]

"The location has become the site of a beautiful home for the elderly"

Shortening the trip?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Shortening the trip?

Snerk.

 

[Smokeshow69]

We only need one more to make it a killer collection!

Here are both together...



...and some literature on Boyertown...

With all those jokes you are making, you are beating it to "death"

A youtube channel I watch- irontrap garage is filmed in boyertown pa...

 

[captain14]

Lugs,

I’m not sure where to post this, but I believe this is right up your alley about early WW2 jeeps.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I’m not sure where to post this, but I believe this is right up your alley about early WW2 jeeps.

It pained me to hear him pronounce Willys as "Willies" (when it's Willis), but he did a pretty good job. His use of his 1941 Willys MB Slattie and his 1943 Ford GPW was probably not the way to go, because it tended to conflate early and late differences instead of Willys and Ford differences. After Willys started using the pressed grille, there were still many differences. Because everything he mentioned were easily interchangeable parts, including a few well-known tells he did not mention (e.g., two holes in GPW front bumpers), these are not the features that hard-core jeepers look for without tearing a jeep apart. One of the best tells is the front cross member just behind the grille. MB's were always slightly tubular; Ford were always flat on top with a U-shaped channel underneath.

Thanks, though, because watching it reminded me of an article entitled "Credit for the Iconic Jeep Grille Design" that I wrote for publication in the MVPA Magazine several years ago, arguing against the idea, popularly promulgated by Ford GPW guys, that Ford designed the grille that Jeep uses as its logo. It was an interesting study. I had fun with it.

 

[Smokeshow69]

It pained me to hear him pronounce Willys as "Willies" (when it's Willis), but he did a pretty good job. His use of his 1941 Willys MB Slattie and his 1943 Ford GPW was probably not the way to go, because it tended to conflate early and late differences instead of Willys and Ford differences. After Willys started using the pressed grille, there were still many differences. Because everything he mentioned were easily interchangeable parts, including a few well-known tells he did not mention (e.g., two holes in GPW front bumpers), these are not the features that hard-core jeepers look for without tearing a jeep apart. One of the best tells is the front cross member just behind the grille. MB's were always slightly tubular; Ford were always flat on top with a U-shaped channel underneath.

Thanks, though, because watching it reminded me of an article entitled "Credit for the Iconic Jeep Grille Design" that I wrote for publication in the MVPA Magazine several years ago, arguing against the idea, popularly promulgated by Ford GPW guys, that Ford designed the grille that Jeep uses as its logo. It was an interesting study. I had fun with it.

Wait, are you saying you enjoyed taking a deep dive researching gpw variances while ruffling some feathers in the process with your findings ? I’m shocked .

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Wait, are you saying you enjoyed taking a deep dive researching gpw variances while ruffling some feathers in the process with your findings ? I’m shocked

HAHA. In this case, it wasn't presenting findings so much as presenting facts and precedence like a good copyright infringement defense attorney might. But yeah, it was bucking conventional "wisdom", for sure.

I still have my original story boards. I could probably post the whole article as thumbnails [counts the number of pages and figures... 48 of them] in just 5 posts! It really is an interesting (though geeky) read. Show of hands?

But I can present my case against very common statements like this... "you can thank the Ford Motor Company for the basic 'iconic' Jeep logo'"... in just three figures from my article.

 

[Smokeshow69]

HAHA. In this case, it wasn't presenting findings so much as presenting facts and precedence like a good copyright infringement defense attorney might. But yeah, it was bucking conventional "wisdom", for sure.

I still have my original story boards. I could probably post the whole article as thumbnails [counts the number of pages and figures... 48 of them] in just 5 posts! It really is an interesting (though geeky) read. Show of hands?

But I can present my case against very common statements like this... "you can thank the Ford Motor Company for the basic 'iconic' Jeep logo'"... in just three figures from my article.

I totally agree with you. Willys overland came up with first grille design but Ford took it and ran with it to create the grille we most associate with that era.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I totally agree with you. Willys overland came up with first grille design but Ford took it and ran with it to create the grille we most associate with that era.

You're saying you agree with me, but it sounds like you're actually agreeing with the opposition!

There's no dispute that Willys designed the slat grille. What the Ford jeep peeps like to say - and note that none of this is deadly serious, but just one of the umpteenth things that Willys and Ford guys like to fight about - is that the grille that the modern Jeep logo represents was created by Ford "running with it." I argue that's hogwash. There is no dispute that Ford introduced the pressed steel grille, to cut production costs, but it simply follows the shape and distinctive features of the front of the vehicle that Willys MB created. If the idea to stamp it out of pressed steel had come from the Quartermaster Corps, and given to Willys to execute, there is zero doubt it would've looked exactly the same. It's the frontal profile of the vehicle and the location of the headlamps that gives the grille its now iconic appearance.

I will post the article later. We have enough Jeep guys and guys with enough ancillary interest.

 

[misterbill]

...

I will post the article later. We have enough Jeep guys and guys with enough ancillary interest.

Fade to rabbit hole... MAs, GPs, and BRCs - oh my!

 

[Smokeshow69]

You're saying you agree with me, but it sounds like you're actually agreeing with the opposition!

There's no dispute that Willys designed the slat grille. What the Ford jeep peeps like to say - and note that none of this is deadly serious, but just one of the umpteenth things that Willys and Ford guys like to fight about - is that the grille that the modern Jeep logo represents was created by Ford "running with it." I argue that's hogwash. There is no dispute that Ford introduced the pressed steel grille, to cut production costs, but it simply follows the shape and distinctive features of the front of the vehicle that Willys MB created. If the idea to stamp it out of pressed steel had come from the Quartermaster Corps, and given to Willys to execute, there is zero doubt it would've looked exactly the same. It's the frontal profile of the vehicle and the location of the headlamps that gives the grille its now iconic appearance.

I will post the article later. We have enough Jeep guys and guys with enough ancillary interest.

Sorry, I wasn’t clear. I agree with the Ford grille explanation, much to the dismay of the Willy’s overland camp.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Fade to rabbit hole... MAs, GPs, and BRCs - oh my!

Got you covered!

Sorry, I wasn’t clear. I agree with the Ford grille explanation, much to the dismay of the Willys overland camp.

There ya go. Okay, it's on now!