Bonney Streamline show & tell

[LesserSon]

This is a pretty narrow-interest idea, but I was wondering if everyone would consider uploading images of Bonney Streamline wrenches, along with a short description. I noticed some variability among them, and wondered if conclusions could be drawn about the causes.
I notice that some have the forged-in date code on one side or the other, one end or another, and sometimes it's missing, because of (I guess) extra polishing.
The size is sometimes stamped on one side or the other.
The typeface for the "Bonney" logo and the numerals for the part number, and the stamped size also vary.
I have posted two ¾" (1166) combination wrenches.
The top one has a "P" code (1952) with the size stamped on the open end on the same side. The "Bonney" logo is set in a serif typeface. It has what I am calling the the THIN box end.
The bottom one has a "W" code (1959) with the size stamped on the open end on the other side. The "Bonney" logo is set in a sans serif typeface. It has what I am calling a THICK box end.
Bonney produced at the Allentown PA plant for most of the company's history. But in 1956-7 another plant began production in Alliance OH. I am wondering, with enough examples, which (if any) characteristics can be associated with production at one or the other plants, which may be associated with gradual design change, and which with simple variation from one station to another within a plant.

 

[woody 73]

I get what you are after just not sure my pictures will do you any justice?

 

[LesserSon]

That's what I'm talking about! Thanks. Your pics made me realize how narrow my quest was. Your Outline DOEs show the Herbrand-style "Vee-gullet"Bonney produced (when and for how long?) after their lines were merged under Utica, mid-1960s. Interestingly, the Vee-gullet had been used very early by Bonney. My example has no other markings (not even size) than the B-shield emblem, so I think it predates the two-letter forged-in date code system.
Some of yours are stamped with a small triangle, made after the Triangle purchase.

 

[LesserSon]

These two metric Outline combo wrenches show how USA was dropped, and replaced with a size stamp to be read when the wrench is laid horizontal. I think the other size stamp, oriented to be read when the wrench is hung from a hook, was introduced when Outline replaced Streamline, though the date codes are pretty much obliterated by the stamped outline motif on each wrench. (hoping more examples can shed some light)

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

give me a day or so and I'll upload mine. Been slowly building this set for a bit now.

 

[twertsy]

These two metric Outline combo wrenches show how USA was dropped, and replaced with a size stamp to be read when the wrench is laid horizontal. I think the other size stamp, oriented to be read when the wrench is hung from a hook, was introduced when Outline replaced Streamline, though the date codes are pretty much obliterated by the stamped outline motif on each wrench. (hoping more examples can shed some light)

They both look like X codes to me ('60) which, according to "some," doesn't exist..............if you go to my site and search "streamline," there are a bunch posted.

 

[LesserSon]

I agree: they look like Xs. The forged pieces may have been done early, then stamped much later. Clearly, the USA / number is part of some variability maybe indicationg the transition from one style to another, before the process was standardized.
Woody 73's Vee-gullet Outlines show that there was a transition toward the Full Polish line before the shank design was changed.

 

[LesserSon]

All of these metric combo wrenches have an X code.
Could be the forging was done in 1960, and the stamping later. It further seems obvious to me that tools would have been produced before they could be illustrated in catalogs, and that they could also have been sold (for two years?) before the catalog dates. If Bonney was trying to sell down existing stock, it would make sense to delay national advertizing of a new design until old stock was depleted and sufficient new stock had been manufatured.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

My almost complete set of Streamline's, still missing one or two...






Only have a few of the DOE one's as well.

 

[LesserSon]

Well, those are just lovely. Mid-1950s. These Streamlines are the ultimate expression of efficiency of materials. Skeletal design. The Outlines that replaced them are a bow to efficiency of automated production. They work just as well, feel fine in the hand, but you can see the structural elements have become merely decorative. The one improvement in utility is the visibility of size stamps, especially when the wrenches are hung from the box ends.
Thank you for contributing. More material for comparison.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Someone posted this awhile ago, I believe in the garage sale thread. A little help for the Streamline's

 

[twertsy]

I don't have a ton, but here's what I have. DOE:





Dates bottom to top:
P, W, NONE, W, W, V

Combos:






Date codes bottom to top: O, N, NONE, O, NONE, W, W.

 

[Username already in use]

I found this one a few weeks ago. NOS, and coated in cosmoline. Military contract wrench maybe? Definitely not chrome plated. Dated L.O.