M.R.S. MULTITYPE Combo Wrench

[Provincial]

I found this 11/16" combo at the local flea marked today. The markings were too interesting to pass up! I see that Herbrand called their early combo's "Multitype" but the shape of the beam is totally different, and who (or what) is M.R.S.? I can see this being supplied by Herbrand, but only as a contract item. The "Iron Cross" markings on each end of the lettering may be a clue, but Alloy Artifacts has nothing like this on their list.

Has anyone seen another one?


The other side has no markings.

 

[RTM]

Looks like a 50's vintage, this beam in the illustration looks similar to yours

Herbrand Van Chrome Tools : Catalog No. 55 M : Bingham-Herbrand Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

68 p., illus., 15.7 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Couple of Worthpoint references got me to the timeframe, still no idea about MRS

8) Early Herbrand 22 degree Multitype Combo Wrenches-3/8" to 1"-Alloy Artifacts | #1839532355

This auction , as well as my listings of the last 27 weeks are from the Alloy Artifacts Collection. Please see announcement on AA site and header on top of my ebay store. It is an honor. I will be lis

www.worthpoint.com

"Vintage HERBRAND 1218 9/16"" Multitype 12 Point Combination Wrench Made in USA" | #4822355755

Vintage HERBRAND 1218 9/16 Multitype 12 Point Combination Wrench Made in USAPRODUCT INFORMATION:• Wrench is stamped Herbrand and Made in U.S.A. with the model and fractional size on the front pan

www.worthpoint.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The "Iron Cross" markings

Not just "Iron Cross", but "Infinity Iron Cross"! That would make a great tattoo.

 

[Provincial]

Thanks RTM! The open end angle is less than the early Herbrand combos, and matches the late production angle.

 

[Provincial]

The only thing I can find with Google Images is a reference to a native pattern in Angola. I doubt M.R.S. has anything to do with Angola.

 

[Provincial]

Perhaps Triangle proceeded to Quadrangle after another acquisition?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm skeptical of Herbrand. That beam is completely different, as you said, with the concave panel running right into the bottom of the head. Looks nothing like my 40s set or early 50s, and why would Triangle era Herbrand ever feature some other entity's logo?

Edit: Haha!! I was typing, slowly, in my phone in an airport, when you posted.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Next thing to check would be TM. The "Multitype" name is the only thing keeping Herbrand in play in my opinion.

TMed in '49, first use '33.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It's been awhile, but they did show up before...

Info on "M.R.S. Multitype wrenches"

Anybody know anything about these? I found them in a Montana pawn shop some time ago, and came across them recently trying to find something in my tub of MISC wrenches. Can't find anything on Alloy Artifacts.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[RTM]

It's been awhile, but they did show up before...

Info on "M.R.S. Multitype wrenches"

Anybody know anything about these? I found them in a Montana pawn shop some time ago, and came across them recently trying to find something in my tub of MISC wrenches. Can't find anything on Alloy Artifacts.

www.garagejournal.com

****, the GJ link did not show up in my search. Unusual.

 

[Provincial]

****, the GJ link did not show up in my search. Unusual.

And the photos went away. Dang.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And the OP has not been seen since 2020.

 

[Steven 33]

And the OP has not been seen since 2020.

I have some ignition wrenches like that. Never ended it up. Identifying.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have some ignition wrenches like that.

Dude! If you're not attached to those - put my name on them for the next trade! I collect ignition wrench sets.

How many do you have? And what are the other size combinations? 13/64 by 15/64, 9/32 x 5/16, 11/32 x 3/8, and 7/16 x 1/2?

Never ended it up. Identifying.

As you can see, we haven't either. But the "C.M." is a new clue.

 

[four.cycle]

@Provincial
@Steven 33

The M.R.S. marking stands for Matsudo Riki Seisakusho, the original name of the company operating in Matsudo, Chiba prefecture, Japan. The company later changed its name to Matsudo Kōgu but continued to use MRS as a logo. The four triangles logo was registered as a Japanese trademark in 1934.

Just a guess, the C.M. may stand for Chrome Molybdenum.

You can see an example of MRS and the four triangles on these pliers:

http://alloy-artifacts.org/Photos/tools/mrs_pliers_6in_combo_logo_f_cropped_inset3_w2048.jpg

Matsudo Kogu / Matsudo Kogu, 442 Nemoto in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefrecture, Japan / est. 1933 (as Matsudo Riki Seisakusho) name changed to Matsudo Kogu 1955, closed ca. 1963 / http://alloy-artifacts.org/japanese-tool-makers-p2.html#mrs-brief /

 

[Private Lugnutz]

^ I cannot believe AA makes no comment on the shamelessly appropriated grip pattern on those pliers! Matsudo Riki Seisakusho literally copied the Crescent "Checkerdot" pattern - and inserted an "M" and an "R" and an "S" in the middle of it!

 

[Steven 33]

Dude! If you're not attached to those - put my name on them for the next trade! I collect ignition wrench sets.

How many do you have? And what are the other size combinations? 13/64 by 15/64, 9/32 x 5/16, 11/32 x 3/8, and 7/16 x 1/2?

As you can see, we haven't either. But the "C.M." is a new clue.

I'm not attached to much. I'll see if I can dig up any others. Started pulling out some of my mini tools but no luck yet. Just some random stuff and these weird ignition wrenches marked
m-4374