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Help Dating Bonney Tappet Wrenches...

M

Mugenlude

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May 21, 2008
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Location
SE WI
These are the wrenches that I got in my auction buy, I'm looking to date these, so I figured I would start a new thread with pictures to keep it separate.

Here is the set of tappet wrenches I picked up.
(click on any of the images to see the full size image)






----- 1/2" -------- 9/16" -------- 5/8" -------- 11/16"
-- ES --- ES --- GS --- GS ---- FR --- KQ --- LR ---- LR
-- 402 -- 402 -- 403 -- 403 --- 404 -- 404 -- 405 --- 405
(above are the size, forged-in date codes, and model #)


Wrench Set No. 412

Based on what I have read on Alloy Artifacts it seems as if first letter (A-L) is the month, and second letter (M-Z) is the year. The cycle repeats every 14 years, so the question is which cycle were these wrenches produced. Based on the CV circle, and the "Made in U.S.A." marking I think these are 1st cycle. Does this make sense, am I understanding it correctly?

If I'm correct the 1/2" and 9/16" are from 1927, the 11/16" and one of the 5/8" (FR) are from 1926, and the one 5/8" (KQ) is from 1925.

- Is it normal for a set to have different date codes?
- None of the wrenches I see on Alloy Artifacts have the stickers on them.
- Would Alloy Artifacts be interested in pictures of these wrenches?
 
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jimvannoy

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"Help Dating Bonney Tappet Wrenches..."


You could start with flowers and sweet talk.....Or maybe oil and a nice soft case....

Sorry:bounce:
 
U

Uncle Buck

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Man I bet that old set would fetch a tidy sum on e-bay. I could never bring muself to sell them, no more than he has in them!
 
P

philw

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Ohio
Your dates look good to me. It was hard to see the date code on your first picture that's why I had to guess at it.
Not sure how common it was to have different years in a set. I wouldn't think it would be unusual to have tools a year apart in a set but 2 years or over is a little odd. Maybe Bonney ran large production runs of each size and then assembled sets from the stock?

I found your set in my late 20's Bonney catalog:

Bonney 'CV' Tappet Wrench Set No. 412
This set consists of two (2) each Nos. 402, 403, 404, and 405 "Bonney" 'CV' Chrome Vanadium Valve Tappet Wrenches. This set will take care of the adjustment of Valve Tappets on 70 per cent of the passenger cars and trucks.

Packed Three Ways
Price
In Cardboard Box.....$12.60
In Leatherette Roll...$13.60
In Metal Container...$13.60
-------------------------------
The picture shows the wrenches with the same stickers you have.

Yes, I think Alloy Artifacts would enjoy a picture of them. Also, let him know your date codes. He may have an idea of why the years are so far apart.
 
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chad s

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These are in amazing condition! I would bet these are some of the few, if only of these wrenches that still exist with the decals intact!
 
L

lbgradwell

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Oakville, ON
Even though they are very old, I will give you the full $13.60 for them, but act fast before I change my mind...
 
OP
M

Mugenlude

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Joined
May 21, 2008
Messages
97
Location
SE WI
philw said:
Your dates look good to me. It was hard to see the date code on your first picture that's why I had to guess at it.
Not sure how common it was to have different years in a set. I wouldn't think it would be unusual to have tools a year apart in a set but 2 years or over is a little odd. Maybe Bonney ran large production runs of each size and then assembled sets from the stock?

I found your set in my late 20's Bonney catalog:

Bonney 'CV' Tappet Wrench Set No. 412
This set consists of two (2) each Nos. 402, 403, 404, and 405 "Bonney" 'CV' Chrome Vanadium Valve Tappet Wrenches. This set will take care of the adjustment of Valve Tappets on 70 per cent of the passenger cars and trucks.

Packed Three Ways
Price
In Cardboard Box.....$12.60
In Leatherette Roll...$13.60
In Metal Container...$13.60
-------------------------------
The picture shows the wrenches with the same stickers you have.

Yes, I think Alloy Artifacts would enjoy a picture of them. Also, let him know your date codes. He may have an idea of why the years are so far apart.
Click to expand...

Thanks philw!!! I appreciate that info.

I will forward the information and pictures I have onto Alloy Artifacts for there use. I'm not sure what I want to do with the wrenches at this point. I realize that I have a set that might be rare, but I bought them to use them, LOL.

Not sure if I should just put them in a drawer, or sell them and purchase something that I could use. I don't want to get into "collecting" tools, it's bad enough that I don't use some of the tools I purchased to actually get use.:lol_hitti
 
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M

Mugenlude

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May 21, 2008
Messages
97
Location
SE WI
hahaha, oh I realized that already... but there is a difference between "collecting" something (I don't plan to use it), and "purchasing" something (I do plan to use it)!!!

But I know exactly what you meant... this place makes you have problems!!!!! I have a hard time passing up deals....
 
P

philw

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Mar 26, 2007
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Location
Ohio
If you don't plan on collecting then I would suggest to ebay them. They should bring good money and you can use it to purchase a more modern set.
It all depends on how many bidders are interested. Put a starting price you are comfortable with and see what happens. I would list them at minimum $50, anything less then that and you may as well keep them to use.
 
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