Stubby1743
Well-known member
It's far from being unique. Thousands of that wrench would have been made. In general Snail Brand tools are common here in the UK and are still made by Smith Francis Tools Ltd. of Birmingham.
Old Wrench Have ?s
- Thread starter Miss the Pontiacs
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It's far from being unique. Thousands of that wrench would have been made. In general Snail Brand tools are common here in the UK and are still made by Smith Francis Tools Ltd. of Birmingham.
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
It is most certainly unique to me, and I have hundreds of wrenches, and never seen one before.
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Mounted my implement wrench collection. Finally.
Modern Garage
Well-known member
And I, for one, admire your will power to resist any modifications. I would have added a necktie to the tee shaped wrench 8th from the left and probably a set of fangs to the one at bottom right.
Joe
Joe
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Good eye.
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Going through some more finds found a nice old Ford combo, and some others, nothing too spectacular. I'm not sure what that top one is with the hole in the center, it is US made. 
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I think Stubbsy was just letting you know it wasn't super rare, so you would not have misconceptions about it, not diminish your find or excitement about it. There are other examples and entire sets shown on the 'DOE Wrenches' thread as well as the 'Britool' thread, where miscellaneous British wrenches often end up by closest default, if you're interested in seeing their variety and size range, etc. You can find them in the A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky titled READ B4 POSTING! at the top of the forum if you're interested in seeing entire sets and much more info, including catalog excerpts, etc.
It's part of a 4-, 5- or 6-wrench set, kept together with a screw and wingnut, marketed for glove boxes, made by Duro-Chrome and Indestro in the 30's, 40's and probably into the 50's. There were several other mfgrs (e.g., J.P. Danielson). We have a whole thread just for that style of small set wrench. See 'Auto Kit wrenches' in the A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky.
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Thanks for the great info! ^^^
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Some recent finds.
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Can't find this Lawrence wrench anywhere, or any info on it. Is anyone familiar with this company? Thanks.
RTM
Well-known member
So many options for Lawrence, outside of being a Wrench Manufacturer. If it was supplied with a machine, and brand stamped. Just in 1909, there are a few patentees who might have had a wrench stamped for their machine Can maker, loom maker.
Commissioner of Patents Annual Report
books.google.com
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Yes, its a deep well. I was figuring a bicycle wrench, but had no luck.So many options for Lawrence, outside of being a Wrench Manufacturer. If it was supplied with a machine, and brand stamped. Just in 1909, there are a few patentees who might have had a wrench stamped for their machine Can maker, loom maker.
Commissioner of Patents Annual Report
books.google.com
Thanks for the info.
four.cycle
Well-known member
I thought perhaps there might have been a "Lawrence" automobile, but that doesn't appear to have been the case.
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Found these 2 going through a recent lot I got. Whitman and Barnes, and mini Craftsman channel locks.
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
I can't just leave stuff. I got these for 5 bucks. I have no idea what they are for. I'm thinking a specific machine setup wrench set. I'm sure somebody here will know exactly what they are used for.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ WOW! 
I've seen some "universal one-size-fits-all" examples, but those are something else!
Where on earth did you find those?
I've seen some "universal one-size-fits-all" examples, but those are something else!
Where on earth did you find those?
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Got them at an auction in southern ontario. I've searched all over, but can't figure. I'm thinking they maybe came with a machine and were specific to it. Not sure. Made in Taiwan.^ WOW!
I've seen some "universal one-size-fits-all" examples, but those are something else!
Where on earth did you find those?
Oregon Dave
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2023
- Messages
- 298
Could those be made to accommodate two sizes per jaw/grip???I can't just leave stuff. I got these for 5 bucks. I have no idea what they are for. I'm thinking a specific machine setup wrench set. I'm sure somebody here will know exactly what they are used for.
nadogail
Well-known member
I vaguely recall having seen those or something similar, IIRC they were intended to allow you to not have to completely remove the entire wrench before getting a new grip on a hexagon fastener
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
At first glance, my first thought was also a ratchet action type combination wrench, such as the Craftsman "Quick-Wrench" of the 60s , just to name a popular example (deep dive on history and evolution here), but after a closer look at the milling pattern, and how deep those openings are, I am skeptical of that, and more inclined to agree with...
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