Spreading the Bonney affliction!

[LesserSon]

The "7 hours remaining on that Exorbitantly Expensive Extra Small ES5 set on evilBay and trying to talk myself out of bidding..." photo.

So...2 bidders...anyone have a gloat to share?

 

[LesserSon]

Nice!

Didn't know Bonney made tire lug wrenches. What are the socket sizes?

7/8, 13/16, 3/4, 5/8 I think.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

So...2 bidders...anyone have a gloat to share?

I was watching it but got busy at work, missed end of auction.

 

[misterbill]

My first Bonney S-quiggly wrench. A 20s-30s-ish 504 with no forged-in date code.

Bill

 

[sqyards]

my pops gave me the bug he and my grandfather were airplane mechanics (eastern airlines, miami) till retirement or lorenzo! i just got my pops roll away full of all sorts of tools bonney, proto, williams mack.

 

[RagTopTA]

She sold the boards a few hours before I messaged. Said it was pending pickup. Took them two days to show up. Grrrr I wanted them for my self. On a bright note she said they are having a huge tool sale and will contact me to come to take a first look!

 

[outofbounds]

my pops gave me the bug he and my grandfather were airplane mechanics (eastern airlines, miami) till retirement or lorenzo! i just got my pops roll away full of all sorts of tools bonney, proto, williams mack.

I just sold one of those PWA sockets the other day! and those Bonney line wrenches are simply THE BEST available. I snag them whenever/wherever I can.

 

[leg17]

I have been looking for one of these and I managed to pick one up.
Don't know if the experts can make anything from it, but this wrench has both the early kidney bean oval BONNEY forged mark and also a stamped BONNEY mark on the head. Could this help date the transition of these two marks?

 

[LesserSon]

I’d like to say it proves that the kidney bean logo is post-Philadelphia, but I think there is still the possibility it was forged before the Durham bros, but stamped afterward. From what I think Twertsy has said, it most likely IS post-Philadelphia, so maybe simply before new forging dies were made. Maybe 1906-1909?

 

[LesserSon]

That's a nice snag, Rags. I've never seen a 4-way in the wild or anywhere else.

Then, lucky me, spotting two on eBay, one of which was about a half-hour away (the other is in Florida). I contacted the seller, who agreed to local pickup, saving me the shipping fee.
The date code looks like XV, but since that’s not a possibility, I’m choosing AX (Jan1932).

 

[GalaxyRat]

Did someone say Tension Wrenches? No? Well too bad, here's one I bought today. Enjoy!

All of the lettering paint came off after the Evaporust bath. Anyone have a nice way to fill them back in?

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[leg17]

I’d like to say it proves that the kidney bean logo is post-Philadelphia, but I think there is still the possibility it was forged before the Durham bros, but stamped afterward. From what I think Twertsy has said, it most likely IS post-Philadelphia, so maybe simply before new forging dies were made. Maybe 1906-1909?

Thanks LS

 

[GalaxyRat]

Did someone say Tension Wrenches? No? Well too bad, here's one I bought today. Enjoy!

All of the lettering paint came off after the Evaporust bath. Anyone have a nice way to fill them back in?

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

Found my No. 056 in the 1941 catalogue

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Private Lugnutz]

So...2 bidders...anyone have a gloat to share?

wned:

And orange ya glad I decided to blow my wad?!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice. Glad it went to a bonney fan!

 

[outofbounds]

I made a comment earlier that some might not have been super-excited that the revelation of that listing was made public in this forum.

In retrospect, I think it ended up saving you money, because I chose to stand back on this with the assumption a GJ regular was likely all in for this.

I think it ended up in the right spot. Congrats, and enjoy!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, guys.

I had a bunch of questions for the seller, because there were actually too many wrenches for these sets (No. ES5 in 1938, VS5 in 1939, V55 in 1941, V55 in 1947, and VM10B in 1950), I was curious about date codes, and, despite the Bonney paint color-scheme, if there were any markings on the screwdrivers, which sure didn't look like Bonney to me. I was also curious about its source. When he said he got it from the estate of a WWII vet (I never mentioned I was a wartime collector…), I was pretty much sold. And that may explain the extra wrenches, and perhaps the screwdrivers, and some of the date codes.

I'll be posting more photos in due time.

Here it is with the extra wrenches removed and some stand-ins from my collection (a Bonney K4 Holding Tool, a Bonney 5" Points File, and generic Tweezers) added.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Hey extra is good! Just a bonus

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Somebody got a little artistic with the owner's mark scheme (see Pic 1) on the Zenel ratchet I picked up at the flea today. Not the purdiest Bonney tool I own, but these 4097's are excellent ratchets.

 

[LesserSon]

Shockingly beautiful! (The set)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Shockingly beautiful! (The set)

Thank you, sir. I agree if I do say so myself!

I think what I have here is a 1935 No. ES5 with some later wrenches and mysterious/questionable screwdrivers. The scratches in the top give the finish an authenticity I was wondering about when it seemed almost ‘too perfect’, especially given the condition of the decal.

Pic 1 is a 1937 catalog excerpt for No. ES5 Extra Small Socket and Tool Set. The set in 1939 was the same, with the same set number. Pic 2 is a 1941 catalog excerpt of the No. VS5 set, as is Pic 3, marked up to show the earlier No. ES5 set, because the 1937 and 1938 catalogs don't list contents by part number, which is handy and more helpful.

It will take a few more posts to pictorially inventory the set by category.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Midget sockets and tools (M8 – M14, MS8, MS10; M4 and M5)
These are all original, correct M- series 9/32-inch drive, with Bonney stickers, matching the No. ES5 kit. Typical satin base and chromed walls. No ratchet or any other handle was provided, not even in their basic No. ES and No. ES1 kits.

Box wrenches (E40, E42, E44, E46)
These are original and correct all bearing 1935 date codes (“FM”, “HM, and two “IM”).

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Zenel electrical wrenches (E14 – E30)
Half (13/64” through 7/32”) of these have “KM” (1935) date codes – and there are two of each, and half (932” through 1/2”) have “LX” (1946) or “AY” (1947) date codes. My deduction is the PO replaced the missing wrenches when he returned home from WWII.

Zenel miniature engineers wrenches (H10-H18)
All of these are “FY” (1947) date code wrenches. These have satin shanks and polished faces. The H16 was missing – replaced with one of my wartime extras.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those sockets are spectacular

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Misc Tools
The No. 2572 ignition pliers, PH1 2-oz ball-pein hammer, PH17 1-1/2 oz. soft face hammer, and 5” points file are original and correct. The points file is from my collection. The holding tool, tweezers and feeler gage are missing. The holding tool is a Bonney K4 holding tool from my collection (should be K6) as is the unmarked vintage mechanics’ tweezers.

Chisel and punches
The C1 is original and correct. All the punches are missing. The Plomb 50 3/16" punch is the right era, but it doesn’t have the right point.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here're some closer views of the hammers...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Screwdrivers
The black-and-orange paint scheme is very convincing (original, authentic looking), but I have my doubts about these. The No. 001 screwdriver is included in the No. ES1 set in 1934 and shown on page 4 and again on page 39 of the 1934 catalog. It has a fluted black handle with a pocket clip. I have had one before (sent to someone, maybe Unaiu). No. E06 is shown on page 39 of the 1934 catalog and it also has a fluted black handle. No. E02 is also shown and it is fluted translucent with a little neon tube inside that lights up in contact with good current. I don’t know when Bonney contracted with Stanley, but that’s who made their screwdrivers in the late 30’s and 40’s. Note that none of them are marked Bonney. It’s possible that they were provided with the kit in a pinch, perhaps military, or that they're actually older (the late 20's catalogs don't show any screwdrivers, so the tool was new to Bonney to begin with in the 30's..., and these may have been a first generation), but it’s also possible the PO sourced them shortly after the war, and innocently gave them a Bonney look to match the age of the rest of the kit. Although I have to admit the finish looks factory, not home done.

 

[LesserSon]

Yeah, those screwdrivers. As I’ve said before, I don’t think Allentown-era Bonney EVER manufactured their own screwdrivers. If this is, as it seems, a gov contract kit, getting the Bonney name on screwdrivers inevitably produced by another manufacturer does seem the least essential detail to include, seeing as they were NOT going to enter the retail market. The color scheme seems just right. Some of the first Bonney tools I collected - before I had any appreciation of Bonney - were chisels from that era, some with the same orange paint as the one in your kit. I buffed it off with the rust - I would try harder to preserve it now. I think those screwdrivers could be Stanley- or Bridgeport- produced, but Bonney-provided.
I feel certain I've seen a screwdriver or two with that color. Now I’ll have to buy any I see, so we can compare them to what you’ve got there. If they would really match, then it IS factory, and you're a step further along authenticating them.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Those sockets are spectacular

They are eyepopping! Thanks, Otg.

Yeah, those screwdrivers...

Thanks for your thoughts, LS. I concur on everything and will be doing a lot of digging. I have a record of three different midget sets Bonney provided to the Ordnance Dept during WWII, but none of them were combination sets (wrenches, screwdrivers, misc tools, etc), and all of them were 1/4-drive with more handles. As far as I know, Bonney dropped 9/32-inch drive in 1939 in its commercial catalogs, but I suspect they kept making and selling them to military aviation customers. I'll keep digging.

In the meantime, I will be looking for the following:

C51 Pin Punch, 1/6"
C52 Pin Punch, 5/64"
C53 Pin Punch, 3/32"
C56 Center Punch, 4" x 1/16"
E55 Tweezers
K6 Holding Tool (although I am happy with the K4 for now...)
K52 Feeler Gage

 

[RagTopTA]

Screwdrivers
The black-and-orange paint scheme is very convincing (original, authentic looking), but I have my doubts about these. The No. 001 screwdriver is included in the No. ES1 set in 1934 and shown on page 4 and again on page 39 of the 1934 catalog. It has a fluted black handle with a pocket clip. I have had one before (sent to someone, maybe Unaiu). No. E06 is shown on page 39 of the 1934 catalog and it also has a fluted black handle. No. E02 is also shown and it is fluted translucent with a little neon tube inside that lights up in contact with good current. I don’t know when Bonney contracted with Stanley, but that’s who made their screwdrivers in the late 30’s and 40’s. Note that none of them are marked Bonney. It’s possible that they were provided with the kit in a pinch, perhaps military, or that they're actually older (the late 20's catalogs don't show any screwdrivers, so the tool was new to Bonney to begin with in the 30's..., and these may have been a first generation), but it’s also possible the PO sourced them shortly after the war, and innocently gave them a Bonney look to match the age of the rest of the kit. Although I have to admit the finish looks factory, not home done.

I have one of those Bonney tester drivers with the little tube in the handle. Found it at the flea year or two ago ? Thought I posted it,,, maybe in a G sale thread.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If so I missed it or forgot! If you still have it, and you don't need it, I'll take it, Rags. Thanks for reading.

 

[Mikeske]

I found on Ebay a pair of 3/8" drive deep metric sockets in 20MM and 21MM. These now join the rest of my metric 3/8" deep sockets.

 

[RagTopTA]

If so I missed it or forgot! If you still have it, and you don't need it, I'll take it, Rags. Thanks for reading.

Ill look around next days off and find it for you I have no special attachment to it. You told me what it was in the GS thread a year or two ago.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You told me what it was in the GS thread a year or two ago.

That doesn't surprise me! I mean the part about my memory going... HAHA.

 

[LesserSon]

Bummer! I was watching an 18” wood-handled Stillson on eBay ($15+$10shipping), debating the price. Somebody else snapped it up while I slept. If I had bought it, I’d have one in every size Bonney made.
A few months ago, a vendor had a damaged 6” Stillson he tried to sell me for $25, but I wasn’t having any of it. As I said then, I see them at fleas for $5 or less. This 18” one though...
Oh well, I’ll keep my eyes open and maybe this will be my lucky year.

 

[LesserSon]

But today made up for the “loss”: i did a brand swap with Plomb-preferrin’ R_Olson_06 via USPS, this week. I sent him exactly what he asked for, but he, sneaky-generous, threw in four extras. Also, I noted the way he wrapped the items with tape sticky-side-out; they clung to the inside of the padded envelope, thus making no pointy escape holes.
Thanks, Roy!

 

[r_olson_06]

But today made up for the “loss”: i did a brand swap with Plomb-preferrin’ R_Olson_06 via USPS, this week. I sent him exactly what he asked for, but he, sneaky-generous, threw in four extras. Also, I noted the way he wrapped the items with tape sticky-side-out; they clung to the inside of the padded envelope, thus making no pointy escape holes.
Thanks, Roy!

Glad to see they made it there safe and sound. I still have to grab some pics if the Plomb stuff for the thread.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[leg17]

...... R_Olson_06 ...... Also, I noted the way he wrapped the items with tape sticky-side-out; they clung to the inside of the padded envelope, thus making no pointy escape holes.
Thanks, Roy!

Good tip.
Thanks both of you.

 

[LesserSon]

Today was sunny, so I set up a grinder and wire wheeled some rusty treasures. Roy’s items included some with cad plating, so they didn’t get this treatment.
Something I noted among my first-generation Bonaloy combos (tapered shanks) was the changeover from “Made in U.S.A.” to “U.S.A.” My last “Made in” is DY and my first “USA” is GY, so presumably between April and July 1947.
I know it’s not a new observation. Just adding mass to the consensus.

 

[3baygarage]

Thought I’d post a couple ratchet additions. Had the 1/2” Bon-E-Con ZA701, recently picked up the 1/4 Vi-Chrome 24800, then saw the 3/8 Bon-E-Con ZT701 in just beautiful, basically mint condition, and added that. Makes up a little family other than the name.

Finally, the other little guy, a Bonney 1/4 V701.