Date these Herbrand Wrenches

[doan]

I found these Herbrand wrenches in the toolbox I recently inherited from my grandfather. He died in 1990, so I know they are older than that. Any way to know when they were made?

Thanks,

David

 

[lbgradwell]

Definitely from sometime after 1967 as that was when the Triangle Corporation acquired the brand.

I think they are 1970s production from when Herbrand was "re-positioned" as the cheaper tier under Bonney & Utica. They may not even have been made in the USA...

 

[rusty65]

Those look like satin finished bonney wrenches so maybe they were made in USA but that was the time period they shifted to foreign production.

 

[ganymede]

Didn't Herbrand ( in the us not Canada) cease to exist mid to late 80's ?
Don't know about coo and probably never will. Production for the triangle conglomerate was all over. I think just because a tool is not marked USA doesn't mean that it was an import.

 

[rusty65]

If I'm not mistaken I saw a foreign set of bonney-e-con wrenches and they were marked in a small hidden spot India so I would check if it has that mark if not I would assume USA origin?

 

[lbgradwell]

I think just because a tool is not marked USA doesn't mean that it was an import.

I do. I think it's a near-certainty in fact.

 

[HubbaBubba]

Do they like flowers?

 

[ganymede]

I do. I think it's a near-certainty in fact.

Just Herbrand or any from the triangle group. ?
Based on what info?

 

[lbgradwell]

Just Herbrand or any from the triangle group. ?
Based on what info?

Herbrand was the only brand in the stable that lacked a "USA" stamp. That was no accident or oversight...

But even in general, the assumption must always be that if a "USA" stamp is missing, it was not made in the USA. The stamp is simply too valuable and a manufacturer will not omit it if they are entitled to include it.

Any claims that the USA stamp makes products unpalatable to foreign buyers is just nonsense. (Yes, that includes Snap-on's recent "explanation".) Even if a buyer isn't a fan of the USA, he would still respect quality it implies.

 

[ganymede]

Herbrand was the only brand in the stable that lacked a "USA" stamp. That was no accident or oversight...

But even in general, the assumption must always be that if a "USA" stamp is missing, it was not made in the USA. The stamp is simply too valuable and a manufacturer will not omit it if they are entitled to include it.

Any claims that the USA stamp makes products unpalatable to foreign buyers is just nonsense. (Yes, that includes Snap-on's recent "explanation".) Even if a buyer isn't a fan of the USA, he would still respect quality it implies.

I've got a 15" Utica adjustable from the triangle era . It has the 3 diamonds logo with "forged alloy steel" on the back but no USA stamp.
Also have a few tools from other makes and eras that have no stamp....

 

[ganymede]

And.....
From top to bottom
Wright 3/8 drive. 1962.
Merit double adjustable ( made by diamond) late 30's early 40s.
Sk 1/4 breaker . 1940's
Bonney1/4 breaker . 1930's or 40's
Not sure about the above Utica but
none below have a us stamp but I'm pretty sure they were made in USA.

 

[lbgradwell]

Those are very good counter-examples ganymede!

Certainly the 4 items in the 2nd photo are USA-produced beyond debate. And that is the first Utica tool I've ever heard of that was unmarked.

I'd say the tools in the second photo date from a time when US brands were always domestically produced. The lack of a stamp is still surprising.

The Utica wrench is a bit suspicious since it does date from a time when "brands" no longer meant they were produced in the country of their origin and outsourcing under contract was known.

 

[ganymede]

It is suspicious.
The last wrenches made by Utica had a 'd' shaped slot for the moveable jaw (like Williams) and they were stamped USA .
The 15" one makes me wonder why they didn't just stamp India or Taiwan on it if it was made there like they did with the bon-e-con stuff.

 

[woody 73]

I bought a Herbrand breaker bar from a GJ member some time back it was not stamped with any coo, at least in my eyes it looked like it was made in Taiwan.