Who made the best vintage adjustable wrenches?

[Eric Brown]

^ Happens to all of us.

Did you run into a bunch of Fulton tools in the same box lately? (Alluding to the K-D made Fulton-branded ignition plier set we were just discussing on the 'Pliers' thread.) Or is that just a coincidence?

I collect Fulton tools, regardless of who actually made them. Will post more soon.
Here are some Fulton coping saws : https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-vintage-hand-saw-thread.391858/page-3#post-11377062

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Aha. Gotcha. Pre-Craftsman is an interesting era. I generally only post new finds, having posted my collection a long time ago, and I wasn't thinking 'backlog'.

 

[d42jeep]

I picked this one up at an estate sale a while back thinking that with the green plastic handle it might be Diamond but after cleaning it up I have no idea who the manufacturer was and I don’t really want to cut off the plastic handle to find out.
-Don

 

[txtoolguy]

Here is an interesting 12" adjustable that appears to have been made by Diamond based on the wording "DROP FORGED" and "TOOL STEEL". It was stamped with the Fulton name upside down on both sides from the other wording. There are also casting numbers of A507 at the thumbscrew opening and B510 on the jaw. This also has a spring on the top end of the thumbscrew which would have been Peterson's patent 1133236 (Mar. 23, 1915). As this patent was assigned to Crescent, Billings & Spencer probably used it after the patent ran out. The spring itself is only one coil long. Owner punched his initials, EL, on both sides.

I stand corrected by 3baygarage and others. I had Billings & Spencer as the maker. Got my notes mixed up.

To chime in more it's 99% Diamond I have several my dad gave me and he worked for Diamond. Diamond would forge "blanks" then when they did private label runs they would stamp in the names "Fulton", Lakeside" "Merit" for example. This is what my dad told me years ago anyway.

-tx-

 

[Oregon Dave]

To chime in more it's 99% Diamond I have several my dad gave me and he worked for Diamond. Diamond would forge "blanks" then when they did private label runs they would stamp in the names "Fulton", Lakeside" "Merit" for example. This is what my dad told me years ago anyway.

-tx-

Thanks Texas & Welcome to the Forum

 

[Eric Brown]

To chime in more it's 99% Diamond I have several my dad gave me and he worked for Diamond. Diamond would forge "blanks" then when they did private label runs they would stamp in the names "Fulton", Lakeside" "Merit" for example. This is what my dad told me years ago anyway.

-tx-

It might be interesting to see what you have.

 

[Eric Brown]

Trying to make a timeline about the Fulton adjustable wrenches in my collection of Fulton tools, continuing into Dunlap, but stopping before the Merit and Craftsman names. Many thanks to Alloy Artifacts (AA) for information about some of these tools.

Starting with the Fulton I previously posted, it was made by Diamond Calk and Horseshoe probably in the 1920’s before the country-of-origin was required in 1930. This one is simply stamped with the name “FULTON” and a few other cast-in numbers which indicate it was made by Diamond.




All the wrenches following have the Country-of-Origin, which became law in 1930.

Jumping over to Germany, we have a company named ZEREM. Apparently founded by Richard Eugen Zerver, the factory was in Remscheid. The company operated for over 150 years and may have been related to the HAZET company founded by other Zerver’s. (Looking for more information).

The top two wrenches were made by ZEREM. The top one has the model number 360, ZEREM inside a diamond, ½ X 8”, and around the hang hole “Made in Germany”. On the other side it is marked with “Drop – Forged - Steel” with a Five-Pointed star at each end. These stars, along with the Made-in-Germany markings at the hang hole, are a good indication of ZEREM manufacture.

The second wrench does not have the ZEREM marking or model number, but otherwise is the same as the other one but in a smaller size of 3/8 X 6”. It also has the two stars and the Made-in-Germany at the hang hole.
The next three wrenches are all marked with the FULTON name inside an oval. Other than the size markings, it matches the ZEREM wrench above. They also have the two stars and the Made-in-Germany at the hang hole.

The bottom wrench changed the FULTON name to DUNLAP but also matches the ZEREM above. It also has the two stars and the Made-in-Germany at the hang hole. According to AA the name DUNLAP started to be used about 1939. Note: WWII started Sept 1939 and lasted until 1945. Doubtful ZEREM was exporting to Sears after the war started.




Sears probably had to switch suppliers and got the J.P DANIELSON Company to stamp their “BET’R-GRIP” adjustable with the DUNLOP name. The wrench below has the DUNLAP stamped with a 312.1 code below it with all other markings cast. There is also a T-9-0 code at the hang hole. This may indicate a 1940 date of manufacture. AA indicates that they also supplied wrenches for the MERIT and CRAFTSMAN lines, but this wrench would pre-date them. This wrench also has a broached hang hole, which was discontinued by 1948.




The following wrench has the following cast in the handle: 6”, DUNLAP, Dependable Quality, and a Y inside a circle. On the back it has 6 in, Forged in USA. The Y inside a circle indicates it was made by McKaig-Hatch. According to AA this was probably made in the 1950’s.




The last wrench is marked with “DUNLAP” inside an oval, Chrome Alloy Steel, 8” with Full Drop Forged on the back. Also on the back by the hang hole is JAPAN. According to AA this was a trial order placed by Sears in 1962 and imported by the Fuller Orient Corporation. The design indicates this wrench was probably made by the Toho Koki Company for them.

 

[four.cycle]

@Eric Brown -

--> DunlAp <-- (DunlOp made tires)

see @Orangina's post regarding Zerem HERE - and check the post just above it.

Doubtful ZEREM was exporting to Sears after the war started.

From the information we've been able to gather, it looks like "ZEREM" (Eugen Zerver) was quite active through the 1950s, so he may well have been a supplier for Sears second-tier lines.

Zerem / Zerem see Eugen Zerver, Remscheid, Germany /

Zerver / Eugen Zerver, Remscheid, Germany / patent DE 1723496 Mar 30 1956 Eugen Zerver / https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=1723496&id=58696 /

 

[Eric Brown]

@Eric Brown -

--> DunlAp <-- (DunlOp made tires)

see @Orangina's post regarding Zerem HERE - and check the post just above it.



From the information we've been able to gather, it looks like "ZEREM" (Eugen Zerver) was quite active through the 1950s, so he may well have been a supplier for Sears second-tier lines.

Zerem / Zerem see Eugen Zerver, Remscheid, Germany /

Zerver / Eugen Zerver, Remscheid, Germany / patent DE 1723496 Mar 30 1956 Eugen Zerver / https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=1723496&id=58696 /

OOPs. Corrections made. Thank you.

 

[Eric Brown]

@Eric Brown -

--> DunlAp <-- (DunlOp made tires)

see @Orangina's post regarding Zerem HERE - and check the post just above it.



From the information we've been able to gather, it looks like "ZEREM" (Eugen Zerver) was quite active through the 1950s, so he may well have been a supplier for Sears second-tier lines.

Zerem / Zerem see Eugen Zerver, Remscheid, Germany /

Zerver / Eugen Zerver, Remscheid, Germany / patent DE 1723496 Mar 30 1956 Eugen Zerver / https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=1723496&id=58696 /

Yes, I see where this could have happened. Thanks for the links.

 

[Eric Brown]

Researching Fulton tools and who made them, there are primarily two sources. Sears used the Fulton name on many tools they had made from many makers. The second source was United Hardware and Tool Corporation. They were a distributor of both domestic (USA) and foreign made tools. Some tools are marked with the United Hardware name, sometimes with a Fulton Steamboat that catalog #40 (1925) says was registered with the US Patent Office. Other tools are marked with just Fulton. Some tools were sold with the original manufacturers name. So when looking at the Fulton adjustable wrenches I also looked through the United Hardware catalog. While they have a lot of Fulton pliers, there were no Fulton adjustable wrenches. What they did have, on page 57, were ones made by Gedore of Germany. So I bought some for comparison. In the pictures below are the front cover of the United Hardware catalog and page 57.
What interested me were the two stars, which is what ZEREM used on their wrenches. Maybe it was just a fad at the time?




Below you can see the Gedore at the top, followed by two from Austria. The Gedore is marked 3/8 X 6in, a star, Gedore, another star and No 10 on the front. Drop - Forged - Steel on the back. There are also horizontal lines on both sides around the lettering. The next two wrenches are from Austria. The top on also had those horizontal lines and I wanted to see if maybe they were made by Gedore. I don't think so. While very similar, the movable jaws are not interchangeable. The second wrench down is marked 6 in Drop Forged Steel 6 in on the front with a stamped AUSTRIA by the adjuster. 6 in Best Standard Make 6 in on the back. Note: Both the Gedore and the second one are actually about 6 3/8" long. The bottom wrench is marked 6 in Drop Forged Steel 6 in on the front, Austria Best Standard Make on the back. The horizontal lines are gone and the flat area for the lettering has been extended up to the adjuster for easier access. This wrench is actually 6" long.






The Gedore is not marked Germany, indicating probably made before 1930 and it matches the 1925 catalog. The two from Austria probably were made after 1930. Conclusion: I could find no information that would indicate Gedore made wrenches under the Fulton name for either Sears or United Hardware.

 

[Eric Brown]

Trying to make a timeline about the Fulton adjustable wrenches in my collection of Fulton tools, continuing into Dunlap, but stopping before the Merit and Craftsman names. Many thanks to Alloy Artifacts (AA) for information about some of these tools.

Starting with the Fulton I previously posted, it was made by Diamond Calk and Horseshoe probably in the 1920’s before the country-of-origin was required in 1930. This one is simply stamped with the name “FULTON” and a few other cast-in numbers which indicate it was made by Diamond.




All the wrenches following have the Country-of-Origin, which became law in 1930.

Jumping over to Germany, we have a company named ZEREM. Apparently founded by Richard Eugen Zerver, the factory was in Remscheid. The company operated for over 150 years and may have been related to the HAZET company founded by other Zerver’s. (Looking for more information).

The top two wrenches were made by ZEREM. The top one has the model number 360, ZEREM inside a diamond, ½ X 8”, and around the hang hole “Made in Germany”. On the other side it is marked with “Drop – Forged - Steel” with a Five-Pointed star at each end. These stars, along with the Made-in-Germany markings at the hang hole, are a good indication of ZEREM manufacture.

The second wrench does not have the ZEREM marking or model number, but otherwise is the same as the other one but in a smaller size of 3/8 X 6”. It also has the two stars and the Made-in-Germany at the hang hole.
The next three wrenches are all marked with the FULTON name inside an oval. Other than the size markings, it matches the ZEREM wrench above. They also have the two stars and the Made-in-Germany at the hang hole.

The bottom wrench changed the FULTON name to DUNLAP but also matches the ZEREM above. It also has the two stars and the Made-in-Germany at the hang hole. According to AA the name DUNLAP started to be used about 1939. Note: WWII started Sept 1939 and lasted until 1945. Doubtful ZEREM was exporting to Sears after the war started.




Sears probably had to switch suppliers and got the J.P DANIELSON Company to stamp their “BET’R-GRIP” adjustable with the DUNLOP name. The wrench below has the DUNLAP stamped with a 312.1 code below it with all other markings cast. There is also a T-9-0 code at the hang hole. This may indicate a 1940 date of manufacture. AA indicates that they also supplied wrenches for the MERIT and CRAFTSMAN lines, but this wrench would pre-date them. This wrench also has a broached hang hole, which was discontinued by 1948.




The following wrench has the following cast in the handle: 6”, DUNLAP, Dependable Quality, and a Y inside a circle. On the back it has 6 in, Forged in USA. The Y inside a circle indicates it was made by McKaig-Hatch. According to AA this was probably made in the 1950’s.




The last wrench is marked with “DUNLAP” inside an oval, Chrome Alloy Steel, 8” with Full Drop Forged on the back. Also on the back by the hang hole is JAPAN. According to AA this was a trial order placed by Sears in 1962 and imported by the Fuller Orient Corporation. The design indicates this wrench was probably made by the Toho Koki Company for them.

I had sent a message to Hazet asking if they had other information about the Zerum Hazet relationship. Here is their response:

Hello Eric,

thank you for getting in touch with us.

Mr. Richard Eugen Zerver was the third degree grandnephew of Hermann Zerver, the founder of HAZET.

Although HAZET rented the company premises from the descendants of Eugen Zerver in the 1970s and early 1980s, we sadly don’t have any information what they exported at that timeframe.

All we know is that they made all kinds of pliers and adjustable wrenches. But it’s possible that there was a commercial relationship between Sears and United Hardware.

It was quite common, especially for Remscheid with its many export companies that many tools were sold as „private label“ all over the world.

We hope we could help you even a little bit!

Best regards,

Serafina
Freundliche Grüße
HAZET - WERK
i.A. Serafina Martire
Marketing & Werbung

 

[Orangina]

... Jumping over to Germany, we have a company named ZEREM. Apparently founded by Richard Eugen Zerver, the factory was in Remscheid. The company operated for over 150 years and may have been related to the HAZET company founded by other Zerver’s.

HAZET operate since 1868 till today (founded by Hermann Zerver, born 1840, his H and Z pronounced as HA-ZET in German) -
for now 157 years.

But not ZEREM (ZERver REMscheid, composed of surname and city). This company as far as I know was active before and after WWII and only 40-50 years - I suspect they only existed until the '60s.! Founded by Eugen Zerver (born 1897, 57 years after Hermann).


Here some early HAZET vintage adjustable wrenches from my collection:

HAZET 140-9 - Blitzzange = lightning pliers (~1894-1938)
typical adjustable pipe wrench of its industrialization time as gas installations etc.
The lightning bolts can still be found on both sides of the newer HAZET logo (not at these old ones).


HAZET 185-8 (~1920) adjustable wrench
with a 20 mm wrench at the end


HAZET 196 (~ 1930) "Excelsior" adjustable car wrench
probably for tool kit of "Auto Union" (better known today as AUDI, which at the time was formed from "DKW", "Wanderer", "Horch" and "Audi") - back side with the four ring logo and Auto Union order number "896583-0".


and more post WWII...

HAZET 179-10 (1964-1963)
before and after photos of the restoration


HAZET 179-6 and 179-10 (1965-1976)
with twelve-point wrench at the end


etc. as later ones (~1976-1992???) "Made in Sweden" by "AB BAHCO" ("AktieBolag" "Berndt August Hjorth & COmpany", founded 1862, it used to be great then sold to Snap-On ~1999).
BAHCO founder held a patent for adjustable wrenches of this design since 1892 (SE 4066).

regards,

 

[Eric Brown]

HAZET operate since 1868 till today (founded by Hermann Zerver, born 1840, his H and Z pronounced as HA-ZET in German) -
for now 157 years.

But not ZEREM (ZERver REMscheid, composed of surname and city). This company as far as I know was active before and after WWII and only 40-50 years - I suspect they only existed until the '60s.! Founded by Eugen Zerver (born 1897, 57 years after Hermann).


Here some early HAZET vintage adjustable wrenches from my collection:

HAZET 140-9 - Blitzzange = lightning pliers (~1894-1938)
typical adjustable pipe wrench of its industrialization time as gas installations etc.
The lightning bolts can still be found on both sides of the newer HAZET logo (not at these old ones).


HAZET 185-8 (~1920) adjustable wrench
with a 20 mm wrench at the end


HAZET 196 (~ 1930) "Excelsior" adjustable car wrench
probably for tool kit of "Auto Union" (better known today as AUDI, which at the time was formed from "DKW", "Wanderer", "Horch" and "Audi") - back side with the four ring logo and Auto Union order number "896583-0".


and more post WWII...

HAZET 179-10 (1964-1963)
before and after photos of the restoration


HAZET 179-6 and 179-10 (1965-1976)
with twelve-point wrench at the end


etc. as later ones (~1976-1992???) "Made in Sweden" by "AB BAHCO" ("AktieBolag" "Berndt August Hjorth & COmpany", founded 1862, it used to be great then sold to Snap-On ~1999).
BAHCO founder held a patent for adjustable wrenches of this design since 1892 (SE 4066).

regards,

Very nice group. Do you know of a good source of information about German suppliers of tools before WWII? I have one pair of pliers named FULTON, and inside the handles it has Germany and ELKO.

 

[Orangina]

... Do you know of a good source of information about German suppliers of tools before WWII?
I have one pair of pliers named FULTON, and inside the handles it has Germany and ELKO.

Not really - keep in mind how much was destroyed in WWII in Germany - e.g. 80% of Berlin.
FULTON and ELKO are unknown for me - I also checked German patents: none with tools
(e.g. searchig hazet => 138 patents, knipex => 47, stahlwille => 8, ...)

Some of my sources:

List of Manufacturers and Brands of Mechanics Hand Tools

List of Manufacturers and Brands of Mechanics Hand Tools * For the most up-to-date version of this list, Please click HERE revised four.cycle Sun Jan 19 12:54:34 2025 PST U.S. Manufacturers and Brands are listed first. Brands and Manufacturers outside the U.S. are listed below alphabetically...

www.garagejournal.com

Deutsche Werkzeughersteller & -händler: Wort-/Bildmarken

https://depatisnet.dpma.de/DepatisNet/depatisnet?action=basis (patent search)

 

[TheRealZeus]

‘The Fulton brand reappeared for six months 1955-56 Fall/Winter catalog when S., R. & Co. imported their Fulton brand planes manufactured in Germany by Tresselt GmbH subdivision Kunz.‘

UPDATED History of the Fulton Model 5260 and 5262 Iron Bench Plan

Since posting this blog, an avid tool collector pointed out a possible connection between Fulton planes and the Buckeye Mfg. and Foundry Company. Further research has revealed the source of the mysterious right hand-ben...

aplanelife.us

 

[Ayrhead]

Hi All: I found this Bessey Adjustable Wrench. Made in Germany. It’s a little different than the conventional style as it has a pivoting head…

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It’s a little different than the conventional style as it has a pivoting head…

Looks like another SPEEDNUT knockoff.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some Craftsman adjustable wrenches I’ve accumulated for the Craftsman fans. Looks like they were supplied by Western Forge except maybe the bottom wrench. They seem to be of decent quality.
-Don

 

[TheRealZeus]

The think the bottom one is J. H. Williams.

 

[txtoolguy]

It might be interesting to see what you have.

I have quite a few I will need to take pictures and post eventually
Here is a pretty nice 10-12 double end Fulton plus and old Lakeside 6-8 Double End and a 4-6 blank.

thx

-tx-

 

[Eric Brown]

I have quite a few I will need to take pictures and post eventually
Here is a pretty nice 10-12 double end Fulton plus and old Lakeside 6-8 Double End and a 4-6 blank.

thx

-tx-

The way Fulton is stamped it might be a Diamond.

 

[txtoolguy]

The way Fulton is stamped it might be a Diamond.

You are correct and I agree. I also got concurrence from some guys that are still around that worked with my dad. Diamond did some of that contract worked and also made a lot of promotional tools for folks, especially the Handyboy DH18 just to name one. Thx.

 

[JAYoung]

My oldest remains my favorite:

 

[Eric Brown]

Here is a 8" AB Bahco that a friend just gave me. It also has Volvo on it, so perhaps it was in a tool kit. Opens to about 1 1/4". Made in Stockholm Sweden out of "V Steel" (Vanadium). Also has the number 121. The alligator end is nice too.

 

[Ayrhead]

Here is a 8" AB Bahco that a friend just gave me. It also has Volvo on it, so perhaps it was in a tool kit. Opens to about 1 1/4". Made in Stockholm Sweden out of "V Steel" (Vanadium). Also has the number 121. The alligator end is nice too.

Nice adjustable. I like the alligator opening on the other end.

 

[jaceq]

Could maybe anyone help to justyfy if this Diamond is really made in the USA? The handle does not show the full name, unlike other Diamond wrenches have been posted here:

 

[d42jeep]

I found this 12” Diamond adjustable wrench at an estate sale yesterday. It is newer than Diamond Calk and Duluth isn’t mentioned, just USA. What is odd to me is that the depressed panel runs clear up to the adjuster on one side but not the other.
A little cleaner.
No hammering and no extensions kind of takes the fun out of it!
-Don

I suggest reading post 167 and a few after it upthread. Newer Diamond wrenches markings have changed over time. I believe your wrench to be genuine Diamond. Here is a 4” example.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Could maybe anyone help to justyfy if this Diamond is really made in the USA? The handle does not show the full name, unlike other Diamond wrenches have been posted here:

Since it says Forged USA, and I can’t imagine people wanting to make knock off 50 yr old wrenches from a minor high quality brand, I would think so.

Here is the dedicated Diamond thread.

Diamond Calk Horseshoe Adjustable Wrench

I've had a Diamond Calk Horseshoe adjustable wrench in my tool box for a number of years which originally came out of my grandfather's tool box. In researching the age of this wrench I ran across a website which some of you vintage tool lovers may find of interest...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I normally don't have much interest in collecting Proto, but I found a cherry 706-L 6" CLIK-STOP adjustable with the "2,905,037" (Coslow, Sep 22, 1959) patent and an "F 5 5" (1965) date code at the flea market this morning. Looking a little chrome-y among all the other J.P. Danielson factory examples hanging on my Fleet branded adjustables rack, but I don't mind too much, and the poor lighting helps.

 

[jaceq]

Old wrench came to me last Monday:

 

[JonahBrown]

After it cleaned up pretty well, I was glad that "JB" didn't go as crazy as "MUFF" on this double-ended 6-8" Crescent adjustable I snagged at the flea market this morning.

I’m sorry for leaving such a mark.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I’m sorry for leaving such a mark.

Snerk. I really should set this aside for our next trade. It wouldn't be so out of place in your collection.

 

[four.cycle]

Posting in this thread as well for purposes of comparison. I recently acquired this 12-inch "PEXTO" adjustable as part of a package (along with the Crescent and the Diamond.) The PEXTO is much heavier - and thicker - at the business end.

 

[MFJL]

Very good question.
As you may know Plomb didn't make their own adjustables.
The started out with Utica and switched to JP Danielson during the Plomballoy days.
Alloy artifacts has what they claim to be the only example of a Diamond contract production for Plomb.
Being so close to Duluth. Diamond is a house hold name up here. Flea vendors with have litterly hundreds of diamond adjustables and pliers.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

Dang that’s pretty awsome to think about .. here Im killing my eyes scrolling though eBay looking for a gem