Tool Talk
Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Dave on August 07, 2015, 05:33:42 PM
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Hello everyone.
For my first post on papawswrench.com I would like some help in identifying who actually made this wrench, the time period it could have been produced, and the rarity of this Spanner wrench.
As mentioned above, I am unsure about who actually made this wrench. There was a Joseph Asbury, and a Jeremiah Asbury. Both made wrenches, but I am leaning towards Jeremiah Asbury on this one for some reason...
Here are the photos: (I hope to post more when my photobucket is working)
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b531/RimPin/8ecb920198cfd34df7875518de2a42e2_zpsfcgs5q5y.jpg)
Stamped on the wrench, is "ASBURY'S - PATENT ______ SPANNER - WARRENTED", and on the handle (which twists clockwise and counter-clockwise to open the jaws) there is a stamp that reads "ASBURY'S RO NO 16685"?... The last two digits are hard to make out...
Anyways, this wrench as been plaguing me ever since I had obtained it, and I hope to find out some info about it.
Thank you,
Regards,
Dave
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Start here- http://www.taths.org.uk/tools-and-trades/articles/183-100-years-of-adjustable-spanners-in-birmingham (http://www.taths.org.uk/tools-and-trades/articles/183-100-years-of-adjustable-spanners-in-birmingham)
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Thank you Papaw.
I had previously read through that website, but the Asbury wrenches on that website do not even come close to the one I own. Although, I would like to add them ALL to my collection some day :grin:.
Here is another photo of one stamp on my Asbury Patent Wrench:
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b531/RimPin/febb23533e8fc55cab244b49126ba06d_zpsivthitkt.jpg)
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One more photo of another stamp... This one is located on the handle...
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b531/RimPin/e249d1d1ea9bbc9cd3c0e05241e4885d_zpsttjzinso.jpg)
Regards,
Dave.
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Has anyone ever seen a Spanner wrench such as this one?
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Can't say that I have but I'd like to.
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Has anyone ever seen a Spanner wrench such as this one?
Yes, I have. And by coincidence I just picked one up:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-tools-/271940428553?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=SaYAhAIzK8xuTSX18vSmMi0%252Bme4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
It's pretty much the early incarnation of the monkey wrench. You can find more information at the Davistown Museum:
http://www.davistownmuseum.org/bioBostonWrench.htm
They are found as early as 1760, probably a deal earlier since 1760 is the date of a copper plate engraving that shows the wrench.
Apparently the proper name for them is "English coach wrench." They're illustrated in Timmons pattern book. The one I just acquired is
ten inches long when closed.
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Branson, thank you very much for your post and great info!
There are slight differences between your wrench and the one I own. Yours seems to have a hammer head built into the wrench, and no hand grip on the handle. Perhaps yours is older??
Anyways, thank you for the links, and I will be sure to read the link you posted.
Much appreciated!
Regards,
Dave.
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There are slight differences between your wrench and the one I own. Yours seems to have a hammer head built into the wrench, and no hand grip on the handle. Perhaps yours is older??
Dave.
I suspect that mine is older, yes. The hammer feature seems to be on all of the early ones. Early handles look like mine or are octagonal.