Blue Point Wrench

[Dave455]

Well, I’m on midweek days off again here in the U.K. (typical), the only upside being that Tuesday is market day in my nearest small town. I usually avoid markets, most are not what they were, but my local one is more traditional. A fair amount of fresh produce, and some stalls with sensibly priced secondhand stuff.

Anyway, after picking up some cheap kiwi fruit (my favourite) I stumbled on this - a Blue Point ring spanner (box end wrench) in 1/4 x 5/16 WHITWORTH (also my favourite).

Needless to say, it didn’t look like this. It was so black I thought it might be an unplated example (not that that's a problem) but there seemed to be no wear on the business ends, not that there ever seems to be with Blue Point tools of this era, that’s why I like ‘em! Spent 10 minutes with extra fine wire wool and some Shell ‘Ensis’ and got what you see.

I got this, another one a size up, and a smaller Plumb, for £8 (just over $10), all in Whitworth sizes! I’ll eat some kiwi fruit and clean the others!

 

[snapmom]

I buy blue point whitworth wrenches too.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice find. Whitworth stuff hard to find over here in the states.

 

[Dave455]

There’s a reasonable amount over here, I know that sort of makes sense, as this is the natural home for Whitworth, but it wasn’t produced for that long. I inherited a good deal from my Grandfather, but I still pick it up when I see it for a reasonable price.

I see very few of these wrenches with any appreciable wear on them. When you consider that many are 80 years old, and I doubt that any were bought to collect, that’s quite an achievement! I seldom pay more than 3 or 4 British pounds (4 or 5 U.S. dollars) for any of ‘em!