Collector Footnote: Challenger Gladiator Helmet Wrenches

[Bolster]

This thread for the collectors. (Merkava, please move along.)

I've gotten interested in Challenger gladiator helmet wrenches. I don't know much about them so am looking for information. I think they were a 1950s - 1960s phenomenon (although the type font is not typical for the 1950s, it looks more 1960s to my eye). I believe Challenger started out as a rebranded line from Penens, which had recently been subsumed by Proto (Plomb). At some point, Challenger became Proto's "downscale" or "bargain" brand, sort of like today's Blackhawk, but some of the pieces I've found appear to be top quality and don't take second place to any Proto. Maybe the earlier ones were quality? Don't know.

At any rate, I've discovered THREE different versions of the gladiator helmet wrenches.

On left, a "chamfered" beam with inset size on the open end. (My favorite, have a partially completed set of these.)

Middle, what seems to be a cheapened version with a sharp-edged rectangular beam.

Right, a rounded beam but no size inset on the open end. Comfy to hold. Bull sent me that one, responding to a WTB ad.

 

[old salvage]

I have a Penens combo wrench and the size is set into the head like the smallest wrench in your lot.
Maybe that one is the oldest

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

When I get home, I will look for my challenger catalog... it was from the 1970's IIRC

-BWP

 

[Lump]

I have several Challenger tools in recent buys...I'll dig through them for you.

 

[speed bump]

The bottom one is a Penens, the middle one without more pictures i'm not sure I have ever seen that style, and the top is a Proto style from before they went to a more NB style for wrenches

 

[Dale B]

I have one too . I'll look for it tomorrow. I noticed something was different about it , but never compared to another one !!

 

[Lump]

Bolster,
I have one of the upper right style wrenches. It's a 7/16 size, #6114, pretty nice. I may have more, but I've got some SERIOUS sorting to do!

 

[Bolster]

Waiting EVER SO PATIENTLY to see some pictures from you guys!!

Would like to see someone's set, if possible.

I'm curious if there are more than three variations of the Gladiator Helmet style. (I know there's all kinds of non-helmet Challengers out there but I think they are a later style).

 

[Dale B]

I'm out ...If I still have it I can't find it . But I did find 3 BOE Wizards I didn't know I had !!

 

[BWright]

That top wrench looks comfortable.

 

[hammergodthor]

That top wrench looks comfortable.

I have a few of that style, branded both Proto and P&C and they are comfy!

 

[Lump]

Waiting EVER SO PATIENTLY to see some pictures from you guys!!

Would like to see someone's set, if possible.

I'm curious if there are more than three variations of the Gladiator Helmet style. (I know there's all kinds of non-helmet Challengers out there but I think they are a later style).

Okay, so I've been slow...and you have been EVER SO PATIENT.
You're right. Sorry.

Anyway, I bought some more tools at sales this weekend, and in ONE of those many boxes I remember finding a Proto Challenger gladiator helmet wrench. That made me think of this post of yours. Oops!

Anyway, I took pix of those other two wrenches weeks ago. So here they are:

Bottom wrench in above photo is not bent...it's just a lens issue with my poor photography skills.

So here is another close up pic:

Okay, so I FINALLY came through. The sad thing is, I bought quite a lot of tools this weekend, and I cannot yet find the newest Challenger helmet wrench! Sigh.

 

[Bolster]

Wow, those are different even yet. Looks like they just kept constantly changing the stampings on these Challengers. Thanks for posting...looks like Im' a long way from owning all possible versions of Challenger.

 

[lbgradwell]

Looks like they just kept constantly changing the stampings on these Challengers. Thanks for posting...looks like Im' a long way from owning all possible versions of Challenger.

BUMP. I was just doing some research on this brand when I found this old thread...

Am I seeing things or is the top wrench in Lump's photo actually marked "chalanger" instead of "challenger"?!!

You might be looking for a long time, Kel; there are many ways to mis-spell "challenger"!

 

[johnnybentwrench]

BUMP. I was just doing some research on this brand when I found this old thread...

Am I seeing things or is the top wrench in Lump's photo actually marked "chalanger" instead of "challenger"?!!

You might be looking for a long time, Kel; there are many ways to mis-spell "challenger"!

The e is crooked

 

[lbgradwell]

The e is crooked

Looks like an "a" to me.

How about the missing "l"?

 

[lbgradwell]

OK, I played with the contrast & I can see it is an "e", but there still seems to be a missing "l"...

 

[lbgradwell]

Never mind; I think I was seeing things.

I think the two ells are simply very close together...

 

[Lump]

I THINK I still have those Challenger wrenches, and probably some others by now. I'll look tonite when I get home from work.

 

[lbgradwell]

Thank you, Sir!