Wrench maker I. D.?

[cliffitz]

Picked up this doe wrench the other day and I need help with the makers logo. S circle could be either L. S. Starrett or H. D. Smith. I am leaning toward Starrett because of the font style of the S. What do the tool experts here think?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

A similar example of a DOE wrench with the same Circle-S logo (although, weirdly, a backwards die) on the shank, the same fractional size markings, and a similar model number on the flip side of the shank was posted a few years ago in the H.D. Smith thread as well the Old Logos Guide thread.

I posted this in reply...

The logo of an "S" in a circle was trademarked by H.D. Smith. Strangely, Starrett also used it, but only on pressed steel sockets. I am not familiar with either of them making DOE wrenches, though, which makes it even more odd. But those are the two I would search.

The "821" is also odd. It's not an ISN. It could be a model number, where the "8" is indicating the purpose of the wrench, possibly, but less likely, the composition, in a series of "8xx" model numbers, and the "21" is the ISN designator. It's an engineers' wrench, technically, and the markings (1/8" x 3/16") are correct for an ISN "21" wrench if they are expressed in U.S.S. nut and bolt sizes. The milled openings would be 5/16" x 13/32".

If you click on my name in that quote above it will take you back to the thread where you can see photos of the other example.

I don't have anything to add to the identification of the mfgr (other than to say I lean Smith due to their TM). But I will elaborate on the markings.

Note that the "625" model number on your find confirms my analysis. If the size markings are indicating the diameter of the threaded bolts and nuts (5/16" x 1/4") in U.S.S. standard, not the across the flats width of the head on the bolt or the nut, or the actual milled openings, it perfectly matches the Industry Standard Number (derived from Williams model numbering schemes) for a "25" wrench.

Here's a little chart to demonstrate what I mean and capture the two examples we have so far.



Note that Williams, and many other Mfgrs, would use a prefix in front of the ISN to indicate other characteristics of the wrench, usually its type. For example, Williams actually made 600 or 6xx series wrenches, including a 625, but they were checknut (or jam nut) wrenches, very thin in the beam with very thin heads. Your Circle-S "625" is not a checknut wrench. The "6" is indicating something else. Similarly, Williams made 800 or 8xx series wrenches, but they were not engineers wrenches, they were single box end. The "8" in @PSCo1867 's Circle-S "821" is indicating something else.

 

[four.cycle]

Smith / H.D. Smith & Co., 24 West St., Plantsville, CT (Henry D. Smith) / "Perfect Handle", "Gettatit" pliers / patent D33468 Oct 30 1900 & 666029 Jan 15 1901 & Amos Shepard & D34136 Feb 26 1901 & 737179 Aug 25 1903 & D37214 Nov 8 1904 William S. Ward & 793324 Jun 27 1905 Amos Shepard & 855079 May 28 1907 William S. Ward & D44327 Jul 8 1913 Lucius V. Walkley & 1061339 May 13 1913 & 1123423 Jan 5 1915 & 1216886 Feb 20 1917 & D45919 Jun 4 1919 William S. Thompson / TM 45334 Aug 15 1905 first use 1871 / http://alloy-artifacts.org/hd-smith-company.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/h-d-smith-company-plantsville-ct.389945/ / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._D._Smith_Company_Building /

TM 45334 Aug 15 1905 first use 1871

Not sure why the site is not allowing me to upload the image of the trademark document.

 

[RTM]

. I am leaning toward Starrett because of the font style of the S

I have never seen a Starrett wrench in many passes thru the catalogs at ITCL, in the style shown above. Their one ratchet wrench, and micrometer adjusting wrenches yes, but not big blocky ones. ¢¢