Ben Hur Tools?

[Project 2501]

Just found a 6" stillson pattern pipe wrench with an unfamiliar brand name thats apparently so esoteric that even garagejournal's search engine failed to shed any light on.
So what's the deal? Theres got to be at least a couple of you gear heads with some Ben Hur tools in your toolbox and maybe even one of you who knows a little history on them. Step on up, its your time to shine.

 

[four.cycle]

GarageJournal.com's search engine would not have found it because it doesn't see anything with less than four characters.

"Ben Hur" was trademarked by Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co., Inc. in 1915 - claims first use June 1 1915

1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog shows a "Ben Hur" branded pincers on page 182 (see attached)

1939 Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. catalog shows "Ben Hur" branded squares on page 77 and 78 (see attached)

Ben Hur / private label brand sold by Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. Inc., Indianapolis, IN / https://wrenchwiki.com/van-camp-hardware-indianapolis-indiana/ / http://www.vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=11465 / https://trademark.trademarkia.com/ben-hur-73079718.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/ben-hur-tools.494747/ / /

Van Camp / Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co., Indianapolis, IN / est. 1876, incorporated 1893, acquired by Graystone 1967, Graystone dissolved 1977 / "Ben Hur" private label / https://thepatriotwoodworker.com/forums/topic/8597-van-camp-no2-hand-plane/ /

* and yes, there was a connection to the pork-and-beans Van Camp.

 

[RTM]

A few further bits of threads with the name, and getting around the three letter curse.

Google Search

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And here I thought you had found some ancient bronze chariot wheel pullers!

 

[four.cycle]

Did anybody check out the little symbol used on extant examples of "Ben Hur" branded tools?

Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. "Ben Hur" branded pipe wrench (photo kjcspencer)

Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. "Ben Hur" branded screwdriver (photo d42jeep)

 

[humber2]

Do I see a boxcar entering the warehouse?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Did anybody check out the little symbol used on extant examples of "Ben Hur" branded tools?

Yexto, I did, but I was too busy charlton hestoning my little joke to comment.

Do I see a boxcar entering the warehouse?

Definitely. The tracks go right by that little shack.

 

[humber2]

Looking on Google the tracks are no more and a new car park for Victory field takes its place.

 

[four.cycle]

Yexto, I did, but I was too busy charlton hestoning my little joke to comment.

Did you notice that they're not the same on those two examples I found here on GJ?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I did. I have literally put the hex sign (two index fingers together cruciformly in front of me in a warding off gesture...) and figuratively (get as far away from me, mentally, as possible...) on the whole topic of "THE ASTERISK". Not kidding! It's just not worth the misery. And I swear, the industry throws these things at the hobby just to mess with our heads. Oh, you thought you had this all figured out with your Pexto TM research, didn't you, Mister Smartypants. Well, here are some Vlchek DBE's and some SK DBE's and oh, to really put a kink in your cranium, two different Ben-Hur pipe wrenches! Six radii, eight radii, hey, who's counting? it's only a trademark at stake!

 

[four.cycle]

I was wondering if you would truly be able to appreciate that. I am glad to see that it made your day.

 

[TalonFE]

How else do you expect to keep the wheels tight on your chariot? Knock-Offs hadn't been invented....

 

[Project 2501]

Thanks for the info