I'm amazed at how many wrenches have no sizes written on them or anything else, for that matter. I have a TON of vlchek wrenches that only have the v-shield logo on them. .... and tons with no markings at all. Does anyone collect these or want them?  What do you folks do with unmarked wrenches?  The unmarked ones have no value to me.... but I'm not going to throw them out!  Curious what you folks do with them. Cheers,
bird.

Used by spy agencies?

I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are for unmarked bolts, which as you know, are much more common than marked bolts...

The ones for the CIA are marked KGB. The ones for the KGB are marked NSA. and the ones for the NSA are marked Gerbil Repair Kit.

But WHY?? The wrenches only have a number? Heavy duty, forged, well made, but no size? doesn't make sense,
are they part of a package that comes with equipment?

A very large number came with automobiles. Auto makers were the cheapest folks around when it comes to tools. If it cost 2c extra to stamp the wrench, they didn't have it stamped. (Now you don't get them at all)

Vlchek was a major supplier for the auto industry during a time period when cars generally came with several wrenches, so there are quite a number of them around (think millions of automobiles times half a dozen wrenches each) It also helps that Vlchek's wrenches are close to indestructable...

Thank you Rusty,,
So about what time period were these made? When did they stop? did they supply their mechanics with the tool sets?
and did they make metric sizes? (i.e. foreign cars).. How can you tell what size by the number?, was this  the bolt size or hex head size? 

Quote from: bird on May 04, 2014, 12:29:46 PM
I'm amazed at how many wrenches have no sizes written on them or anything else, for that matter. I have a TON of vlchek wrenches that only have the v-shield logo on them. .... and tons with no markings at all. Does anyone collect these or want them?  What do you folks do with unmarked wrenches?  The unmarked ones have no value to me.... but I'm not going to throw them out!  Curious what you folks do with them. Cheers,
bird.

Millions of Chev tools like these

http://1940chevrolet.com/files/images/openendwrench46to54.jpg

   I use them if they are not worn out.   
The Armstrong, Billings, Williams and Buffalo - Barcalo all await me finding the rest of the set in semi retirement.

  I made a full range SAE set out of old mixed DOE and another I'm pretty sure all are Fairmount origin.     The shape is distinct if you know what to look for.

   The wrenches marked with only a number hold a secret, that number is a sizing system in most cases.   I collect those too,    I must have a dozen no. 27 as it was a common size for cars for a few decades and only one no. 21.     

Quote from: oldtools on May 06, 2014, 01:17:09 AM
How can you tell what size by the number?

The numbers are the old industry-standard numbers for OE wrenches.

You can look up a chart that will provide the equivalent SAE sizes...

Quote from: humber2 on May 06, 2014, 01:37:37 AM

Millions of Chev tools like these

http://1940chevrolet.com/files/images/openendwrench46to54.jpg

McKaig-Hatch !!  I have a set of those, and keep them because the of the "proud" markings  on them, very clear and bold.

Brian

I think either the wrenching news or alloy artifacts has a good chart with numbers and corresponding sizes, ect.
cheers,
bird.