Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Nolatoolguy on January 14, 2012, 11:36:24 AM

Title: Billings adjustable
Post by: Nolatoolguy on January 14, 2012, 11:36:24 AM

Saw this on ebay today. I was wondering if anyone has info on it. I am not intrested in bidding, but just think its a intresting piece and wanted to learn more about them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COLLECTIBLE-1878-SMALL-OLD-VTG-BILLINGS-ADJUSTABLE-WRENCH-ANTIQUE-RARE-TOOL-/260930619441?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc0ad4831

Title: Re: Billings adjustable
Post by: rusty on January 14, 2012, 02:15:34 PM

The seller seems a bit confused, the patent is listed as 1872, the wrench as 1878, but the patent is in fact Feb 18, 1879, and is number 212,298....

Billings wrenches in general are not that rare, but, this one is interesting because it is a variation on the usual shape, and is marked both C E Billings on one side, and Billings & Spencer on the other.
The third mark of another company (G&J Mfg Chicago)* in the same type face is interesting also......


*Presumably Gormully & Jeffery, of rambler fame

Title: Re: Billings adjustable
Post by: Branson on January 15, 2012, 08:21:28 AM

There's a similar Billings also on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250973688305?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

The 8 in the patent date on the wrench isn't easy to make out, and the description does say '78. 

The one I found, above, has the proper date, though it, too, could be mistaken for 78.  Same size, but not
the same handle.  Nifty handle on the other one.

Title: Re: Billings adjustable
Post by: amertrac on January 15, 2012, 09:48:26 AM

I take it you are talking about the piece for auction with a 3.05 starting bid. IT is a mess, not sire it can be cleaned up. but it is a good trading peice the link one has been sold for 49.00 that is an unusual handle bob w.

Title: Re: Billings adjustable
Post by: amertrac on January 15, 2012, 09:55:24 AM

Quote from: Branson on January 15, 2012, 08:21:28 AM

There's a similar Billings also on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250973688305?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

The 8 in the patent date on the wrench isn't easy to make out, and the description does say '78. 

The one I found, above, has the proper date, though it, too, could be mistaken for 78.  Same size, but not

IF anyone is going to bid on this I will not however if not i may   bob wq,
the same handle.  Nifty handle on the other one.

Title: Re: Billings adjustable
Post by: Wrenchmensch on January 15, 2012, 09:13:24 PM

I own one.  It was made for Gormully & Jeffery (G&J) the folks who started out by making Rambler bicycles, then Rambler motorcycles, then Rambler "brass" cars.

Title: Re: Billings adjustable
Post by: Bus on January 15, 2012, 09:44:31 PM

I just listed one for the Wrenching News Spring Auction.

0219. G & J MF'G Co Chicago / C. E. BILLINGS PAT'D FEB 18TH 1879 (with a ruler scale on shaft) - - 5" center screw adjust bicycle wrench with an unique bulbous end. Evidently made exclusively for Gormully & Jeffery Mfg. Co. of Chicago, early manufacturer of Rambler bicycles. Patent was issued to Charles E. Billings of Hartford, Conn. and was the basis for several of Billing & Spencer's early adjustable wrenches and later copied by other wrench manufacturers after the patent expired. Good+ with spots of minor pitting. (S857)

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=212298&typeCode=0 (http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=212298&typeCode=0)

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/buswrench/york-2012/Y12-0215-241.jpg)