My small but growing DBE wrench collection

BlueBomber · Oct 22, 2017

Rileysan said:
Interesting find this morning. A Blackhawk 2724 3/4" single off-set DBE with raised lettering instead of stamped. AA has a nice little paragraph about these short-lived wrenches. The captions under each photo state these date from 1928-30 but the paragraph alludes to them being made up until 1940, so I don't quite know how to date mine. Unfortunately, this was the only one from the set at the sale.

Brian

Something about this wrench was familiar, but I didn't have a moment until tonight to check out the wrench rack. Here's mine:

I'm really partial to the single offsets, Brian. Let me know if you'd like to trade for any other Blackhawks.

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Jp267 · Nov 2, 2017

Still in the process of researching these, but I think they were made under contract for Craftsman, by A&E (now Lang) tool company in Racine, WI. Looks like they made similar ratcheting wrenches for Snap-on, Armstrong, Klein, OTC, and Williams.

Top to bottom: 13/16 7/8, 5/8 3/4, 9/16 1/2, 7/16 3/8, 5/16 1/4.

Hopefully ratcheting DBEs are OK here. Didn't see a specific thread.

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Rileysan · Nov 2, 2017

BlueBomber said:
Something about this wrench was familiar, but I didn't have a moment until tonight to check out the wrench rack. Here's mine:

I'm really partial to the single offsets, Brian. Let me know if you'd like to trade for any other Blackhawks.

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Sorry for the late reply - I missed your post. I'll send you a PM.

Brian

BlueBomber · Nov 2, 2017

Jp267 said:
Still in the process of researching these, but I think they were made under contract for Craftsman, by A&E (now Lang) tool company in Racine, WI. Looks like they made similar ratcheting wrenches for Snap-on, Armstrong, Klein, OTC, and Williams.

Top to bottom: 13/16 7/8, 5/8 3/4, 9/16 1/2, 7/16 3/8, 5/16 1/4.

Hopefully ratcheting DBEs are OK here. Didn't see a specific thread.

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JP--you betcha! A box end is a box end, even if they spin. And if it has two of them, then this thread is the place for 'em! Those Craftsman wrrenches are neat--i don't have any of that make, although I do believe I have a Lang.

Thanks for posting!

Rileysan · Nov 2, 2017

I have finally acquired the KING of all DBE wrenches. That's right - I now own a King **** wrench!

This one came by way of estate sale a few weeks ago. I'm still sorting and cleaning tools I got from that sale, and I may still be sorting and cleaning until next summer. But I couldn't let this one sit in a bucket.

No model number.

- King ****, round-shank DBE 10 mm x 11 mm

Brian

Jp267 · Nov 2, 2017

BlueBomber said:
JP--you betcha! A box end is a box end, even if they spin. And if it has two of them, then this thread is the place for 'em! Those Craftsman wrrenches are neat--i don't have any of that make, although I do believe I have a Lang.

Thanks for posting!

Cool! Glad to hear. My search skills are subpar. Lol Glad to post!

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Jp267 · Nov 2, 2017

Rileysan said:
I have finally acquired the KING of all DBE wrenches. That's right - I now own a King **** wrench!

This one came by way of estate sale a few weeks ago. I'm still sorting and cleaning tools I got from that sale, and I may still be sorting and cleaning until next summer. But I couldn't let this one sit in a bucket.

No model number.

- King ****, round-shank DBE 10 mm x 11 mm

Brian

[emoji23][emoji106][emoji106]

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d42jeep · Nov 2, 2017

Brian,
I'm going to refrain from making any obvious comments about your new wrench! Instead I will just post a couple of half moon DBE wrenches I picked up recently, some Cornwells and a 1946 Blue Point.
-Don

Private Lugnutz · Nov 3, 2017

Rileysan said:
No model number.

I don't think they had any in that era, Brian. A true King **** collector may be able to tell you more. I'm working on a set, sort of. "Sort of," because I have one (16mm x 17mm) that is marked differently from all the others, and, the ones that are stamped with the same branding are not all stamped on the same side of the shank. So, they look identical and great all nested together (as in Thumbnail 1), but you can see what I mean in Thumbnail 2.

ryan20021982 · Nov 3, 2017

Picked these up today in a big lot of tools

top to bottom
1-Indestro
6-Armstrong, almost the set, has 2 of the same and missing one
1-New Britain
1-Craftsman
3-S-K

View media item 76384

Farmer J. · Nov 3, 2017

Private Lugnutz said:
I don't think they had any in that era, Brian. A true King **** collector may be able to tell you more. I'm working on a set, sort of. "Sort of," because I have one (16mm x 17mm) that is marked differently from all the others, and, the ones that are stamped with the same branding are not all stamped on the same side of the shank. So, they look identical and great all nested together (as in Thumbnail 1), but you can see what I mean in Thumbnail 2.

LOL I have several identical old King **** adjustable wrenches with stamping on different sides of them.

Private Lugnutz · Nov 3, 2017

That's good to know, Farmer J! Maybe these (except the one odd duck) are all from the same production year after all. Thanks.

Farmer J. · Nov 4, 2017

Seems it's not just the King **** wrenches that have inconsistent side stampings.
I have these 2 Barcolo Buffalo DBE wrenches and the sizes are stamped on opposite sides. Both wrenches have one side with the AF sizes and FORGED VANADIUM on it and the other side BARCOLO BUFFALO USA but not the same way round on both wrenches.. They always spark me off on this story...

One of these is a bit mangled and bent at one end where one hot dusty itchy day it was left on a belt adjuster of a Minneapolis Moline combine harvester and the machine was started up, and it literally became what we call here 'a spanner in the works'. Everyone survived ok though.

I don't know if these wrenches actually came with that machine but the MM combine was supplied to us by the War Agricultural Committee I think as part of WW2 Lend-Lease. It was the first combine harvester in the county and the operators had never even seen one before it arrived, it came packaged as a kit in several wooden crates delivered to the farm from the local station on a horse drawn wagon. When they opened the crates and started to put it together they discovered there was no engine, but then heard there was a wooden crate left at a pub by the roadside a couple of miles away. The horse had got tired and the thirsty carrier had got sick of the job and left it there. With the help of the excellent instructions enclosed and tools sent with the kits of parts they assembled the combine and it served us very well and harvested all the farms in the area for years to come. It was a well made and loved machine, the operator who taught me combining in the 1970's was still saying what a good strong machine it was and how well it worked, but only once they had got the engine!!.

So when I use my old Barcolo wrench I think of the story of it. Hope you enjoy it too. PS Thanks for the machines.

Farmer J. · Nov 4, 2017

Here's a couple of Britool ring spanners. They usually fit the other end of the bolt from my Barcolo ones. Sorry about the poor pics it's rainy here and everything on the farm is covered with condensation and rusts like crazy so I slather tools in ACF50..

Farmer J. · Nov 4, 2017

Here's another little set for the lovers of DBE's.
Britool Whitworth/BSF ring spanners.

leg17 · Nov 4, 2017

Farmer J. said:
One of these is a bit mangled and bent at one end where one hot dusty itchy day it was left on a belt adjuster of a Minneapolis Moline combine harvester and the machine was started up, and it literally became what we call here 'a spanner in the works'. Everyone survived ok though.

We have a similar saying over here.
Love it.

BlueBomber · Nov 4, 2017

Thanks for the spanner pictures, Farmer J. We love all will-made wrenches here on the DBE thread, regardless of nationality!

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Private Lugnutz · Nov 4, 2017

Picked up a very early production Snap-On, a 1944 Blue-Point, and a wartime (see the forged-in AISI '1340' marking) Herbrand today.

BlueBomber · Nov 5, 2017

Dang, Lugs, that Snap-on is an oldie. But what did you make of the date code? It has both 1930 and 1931 codes on the shank...

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BlueBomber · Nov 5, 2017

BlueBomber said:
Dang, Lugs, that Snap-on is an oldie. But what did you make of the date code? It has both 1930 and 1931 codes on the shank...

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Nevermind--I saw Snapmom's answer on the Snap-on thread. "Not unusual to have two year markings, sometimes three". I learn new things all the on this site!

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Private Lugnutz · Nov 5, 2017

Ditto!

Outlawmws · Nov 5, 2017

I was thinking maybe it was stamped at midnight on new years! :lol:

But if it was "shelf stock" that makes sense...

gpw_42 · Nov 5, 2017

Username already in use said:
And (Lugz), you've seen these before, but I have an early Williams transitional wartime marked 'Chrome Alloy' and 'Special' 11/16" & 3/4" where one size marking has been ground off and the 3/4" stamp applied.

Username, I'm just now finding this post...Your Williams 7029 is FANTASTIC! I've been looking for one (or a 4019) ever since I got into this crazy hobby, and have been beginning to wonder if they actually exist. It's good to see evidence that they're out there, though difficult to find. Well done!

Steve

Username already in use · Nov 6, 2017

gpw_42 said:
Username, I'm just now finding this post...Your Williams 7029 is FANTASTIC! I've been looking for one (or a 4019) ever since I got into this crazy hobby, and have been beginning to wonder if they actually exist. It's good to see evidence that they're out there, though difficult to find. Well done!

Thanks Steve! I lucked into the small Williams wrench one day on eBay. I'm still looking for the same size wrench in the 'alloy steel' version. I've got the 13/16" & 7/8" as well as the 15/16" & 1" in 'alloy steel', but can't seem to find the 11/16" & 3/4" despite my searching. Lugz is the only other person I know that's had a complete wartime set of the alloy steel series long pattern DBEs. So, they're out there.

The hard one for me was the Bonney set. The 11/16" & 3/4" #2893C isn't supposed to exist. But, it does and I found one earlier this year. I may have neglected to post this set, so here it is again.
Bonney 2894 B is 15/16" & 1"
Bonney 2894 C is 13/16" & 7/8"
Bonney 2893 C is 11/16" & 3/4"
All are 'T' dated to 1942

Private Lugnutz · Nov 6, 2017

Username already in use said:
Lugz is the only other person I know that's had a complete wartime set of the alloy steel series long pattern DBEs. So, they're out there.

Also a lucky find with a funny story. I bought something off of a guy on eBay, almost eight years ago now, who happened to be in NJ not far from where one of my work sites near Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst. So we arranged for a pick-up rather than shipping. When I went to his house, he asked me if I wanted to see any other tools! :bounce:

First thing I see is this 8- or 9-pc DBE set, all wartime ALLOY STEEL. Sure enough, the three GMTK sizes were included.

Username already in use said:
The 11/16" & 3/4" #2893C isn't supposed to exist.

For clarification, in case anyone else is wondering what you mean by that, "isn't supposed to exist" per the Bonney catalogs. For elaboration, I've only found it in a few mfgrs' catalogs. It was clearly not a popular pre-war size.

The other thing I always get a kick out of with this set is the 2894C. It was made from the same die as the 2894B. The only difference is the milling and final broaching. You can see that instead of using smaller ends, they are the same ends, which is why the ring or box is thicker.

EDIT: Lastly, it's a beautiful sight all lined up like that.

Sam'sAutoParts · Nov 6, 2017

Picked this up a few weeks ago, thought it was cool enough to be worth the $3 asking price.

BlueBomber · Nov 6, 2017

Sam'sAutoParts said:
Picked this up a few weeks ago, thought it was cool enough to be worth the $3 asking price.

A Buckeye?!? Dang, I need to get back out collecting...

Private Lugnutz · Nov 11, 2017

I picked up the tiniest ratcheting DBE wrench I have seen today - a DUNLAP PAT APP 5/16 x 1/4. Since it's stretching the original intent of the thread a little, I took a photo of it with the tiniest classic DBE wrench I own - an Indestro with the same size openings.

d42jeep · Nov 12, 2017

I thought that I'd better double check but I haven't run across one of those tiny ones. Here are the ones in the Dunlap box. :dunno:

-Don

Outlawmws · Nov 12, 2017

I have the Craftsman version of that Dunlop, and the deep offset of that Indestro, but its not my smallest...

d42jeep · Nov 12, 2017

Private Lugnutz said:
Picked up a very early production Snap-On, a 1944 Blue-Point, and a wartime (see the forged-in AISI '1340' marking) Herbrand today.

Here is another Herbrand with a forged in 4130 marking. The markings are a little hard to see. The other picture is of a Thorsen grind off wrench.
-Don

Private Lugnutz · Nov 12, 2017

Outlawmws said:
but its not my smallest...

Ah, yeah, I wasn't thinking about ignition class!

Private Lugnutz · Nov 12, 2017

d42jeep said:
Here is another Herbrand with a forged in 4130 marking.

Hmm, that's an interesting AISI number, Don. Typically, we see the 1340 (a Manganese alloy) and the "New Emergency" alloys (86xx, 87xx) on Herbrand wartime wrenches. AISI 4130 is a Chro-Moly with .8 Cr (which is over the restricted limit). Have to put the old thinking cap on for that one.

Username already in use · Nov 12, 2017

Private Lugnutz said:
Hmm, that's an interesting AISI number, Don. Typically, we see the 1340 (a Manganese alloy) and the "New Emergency" alloys (86xx, 87xx) on Herbrand wartime wrenches. AISI 4130 is a Chro-Moly with .8 Cr (which is over the restricted limit). Have to put the old thinking cap on for that one.

Based on the plain finish and the forged in code, I feel like someone was drinking on the job and mixed up the numbers...

BlueBomber · Nov 12, 2017

Here is my tiny Dunlap ratcheting DBE, along with some of my tiniest wrenches of various brands. The top one is a Williams Superrench. They are easy to find on the wrench rack--they're too small to hang from nails so they sit on top.

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454ragtop · Nov 13, 2017

A day or 2 ago somewhere on this site I saw some single offset DBE wrenches, never heard of them before. So today I go to the PO to ship out some tools and what do I see outside a little thrift/gift type store? A bunch of vintage DBE's, one of which was a Bonney single offset. He wants $28. for the lot of about 8 or 10 wrenches, seemed a little high to me, maybe because I don't want/need them.

LesserSon · Nov 14, 2017

454ragtop said:
A day or 2 ago somewhere on this site I saw some single offset DBE wrenches, never heard of them before. So today I go to the PO to ship out some tools and what do I see outside a little thrift/gift type store? A bunch of vintage DBE's, one of which was a Bonney single offset. He wants $28. for the lot of about 8 or 10 wrenches, seemed a little high to me, maybe because I don't want/need them.

I agree: if you don’t want/need them, $28 is about twice what I’d pay on pure speculation. But depending on what brands and sizes they are, I would guess some of them would sell for $10 or more each to the right buyer. The Bonney for instance, if it completed a set someone was trying to put together, might fetch $20, shipped. I have two incomplete sets - Zenel missing 2822, 2826, 2830 (and I’d upgrade the 2814 I do have); and CV missing 2818.
Look at these that SOLD:
https://www.ebay.com/i/192341471176
https://www.ebay.com/i/192328093890
https://www.ebay.com/i/192321892093

LesserSon · Nov 14, 2017

Private Lugnutz said:
I picked up the tiniest ratcheting DBE wrench I have seen today - a DUNLAP PAT APP 5/16 x 1/4. Since it's stretching the original intent of the thread a little, I took a photo of it with the tiniest classic DBE wrench I own - an Indestro with the same size openings.

Dang it! I looked for that Indestro all summer to no avail. Jealous!

bonneyman · Nov 14, 2017

BlueBomber said:
Here is my tiny Dunlap ratcheting DBE, along with some of my tiniest wrenches of various brands. The top one is a Williams Superrench. They are easy to find on the wrench rack--they're too small to hang from nails so they sit on top.

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I've got a set of the Dunlap ratcheting DBE's going. Only lack the largest - 13/16 x 7/8.

Private Lugnutz · Nov 14, 2017

LesserSon said:
Dang it! I looked for that Indestro all summer to no avail. Jealous!

I have two. PM me your mailing address.

My small but growing DBE wrench collection

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