So I found this wrench a couple years ago. I am a tool collector so I kind of knew when I cleaned it up and saw the name on it as a little different how different I don't know because I've never seen another like it. Anyone have any info that would be awesome. Thank you
Very early A. PLOMB double box end wrench?
- Thread starter Plombhead
- Start date
Boogerman
Well-known member
That's an odd one. Information on Alloy Artifacts says that plomb didn't get into the dbe wrenches until the late 1930's or 1940's, but that one is marked in the 1920's style.
Someone more knowledgeable than me will come along soon (that won't take very long
)
http://alloy-artifacts.org/plomb-tool.html is a good reference, not always accurate but usually pretty good.
Someone more knowledgeable than me will come along soon (that won't take very long
)http://alloy-artifacts.org/plomb-tool.html is a good reference, not always accurate but usually pretty good.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Nice find.
The thumbnail summary is that it was made by a company started by Alphonse Plomb, one of the original founders of the Plomb Tool Company, which bears his name, some time after he left the Plomb Tool Company in 1917. The company - essentially Alphonse and later his son, Henry, continued making tools marked "A. PLOMB" for decades, even after they were bought out by the California Tool Company in the mid 1920's. You may also see tools dual-marked "Calif-Tool" and A. PLOMB".
You can find much more historical info and many more examples of A. PLOMB tools, including DBE wrenches, in the 'Plomb' thread here on GJ by searching the thread on "Alphonse". You can find a link to the thread in the A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky titled 'READ B4 POSTING!' at the top of the forum.
With a username like Plombhead, trust me when I say you will be right at home there!
The stacked size markings do have an early appearance but the wrench construction itself doesn't look that primitive. BTW, the alloy site DOES have 20's Plomb DBE wrenches though yours is obviously an A.Plomb not Plomb.That's an odd one. Information on Alloy Artifacts says that plomb didn't get into the dbe wrenches until the late 1930's or 1940's, but that one is marked in the 1920's style.
Someone more knowledgeable than me will come along soon (that won't take very long
http://alloy-artifacts.org/plomb-tool.html is a good reference, not always accurate but usually pretty good.
I appreciate any information that can shared. Ive read through most everything on alloy artifacts and haven't found this wrench specifically for really anything close to it. Hence why i am here. Hoping one of the wise men can shed some light on this. I didn't realize that Alfonso and his son continued making wrenches after they left the company. That was news to me.
Thank you for the direction. Ive been reading a lot of GJ threads over the years but just signed up I think a month or so ago because I couldn't look at any of the pictures and frustrating me. So your guidance is very welcomed! I'm getting a bit older now and navigating these sites can be a bit overwhelming
. So thank you 
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
No worries. I haven't read the California Tool Co section of AA in years, but I am pretty they have an "A. PLOMB" DBE wrench or two. I can assure you that there are plenty of them on the Plomb thread here. Most guys here prefer to not splinter our conversations, mainly because we are all getting old, too, and it's just easier to keep discussions on one thread for finding them later.