The Charly Wrench

[Leviton]

The Charly Wrench was not a success.

The "Charly Wrench" came in a double open end (DOE) set and an adjustable open end wrench (3 sizes). It was made by Beverage Equipment Corporation (BEVCO Industries) in Portland, Oregon.

I doubt I'll ever complete my DOE set, but I'm still looking for the 3/8-7/16 wrench. Help a fellow out. Sell me yours.

The wrenches are stamped with US patent number 3850057 and were made in the USA. Forge marks on my three wrenches are a mirror image 3, a "V1", and a "1"

Here is the patent for the DOEs (one end looks different than mine): https://patents.google.com/patent/US3850057A/en

Here is the patent for the adjustable:
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=40388

The trademark for the CHARLEY WRENCH was filed on 06/12/1978 and it was cancelled in 1985.

 

[Rileysan]

Are you in the Portland area? If so, pm me and let's meet. I have a set of these in the original pouch I'm not attached to.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

I dug out my wrenches are guess what? They're marketed under a different name! Same wrenches. Same patent. Same city. Different name and address. They are still available for trade.

Brian

 

[Leviton]

Hi Brian. Thanks for posting your wrenches.

Interestinger and interestinger. Two different companies gave this a go and neither succeeded.

With your new company name, I found a GJ post of an Evans T&R adjustable open end and another one (adjustable) on e-bay.

More research to do.

I'll send you a PM after work quiets down a bit.

 

[Rileysan]

Have you researched who filed the patent? I suspect that whoever did, manufactured the wrenches for one, or both of these companies; there may even be more.

I have at least one more Charley wrench in my stable, and maybe more. I'll look when I get a chance.

 

[Alchymist]

Kind of remind me of flare nut wrenches.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

They look exactly like the Simplex ratcheting wrenches advertised by the Motor Tool Specialty Company in Snap-on's 1929 catalog (see Page 50). So many people/companies have taken a run at this concept since then. Peugot-Surpans who knows when. New Britain Nutmasters in 1954. Kelsey-Hayes Loc-Rite in 1964.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think someone is still making them

 

[Rileysan]

I think someone is still making them

Craftsman has sold them since the 50s - though they are combo wrenches

 

[Leviton]

Have you researched who filed the patent? I suspect that whoever did, manufactured the wrenches for one, or both of these companies; there may even be more.

I have at least one more Charley wrench in my stable, and maybe more. I'll look when I get a chance.

Hi Brian, By any chance did you find your Charley? I'm still looking for a 3/8-7/16". Thanks