Strangely marked Plomb combination wrench

[Sudsy]

It's the oddball in my box of Plombs
Steel finish, not the grey cadmium or chrome
marked with a BC following the USA

Any know what the BC stands for or when they did this finish ? Pre war or post ?

[mikeswrenches]

Take a look at the Tool Archives web site. I think you'll find your answer...and way more.

Mike

[krusty the clown]

http://toolarchives.com/node/232

[Sudsy]

Good stuff there (although I can't join for some reason)
So the wrench I have was made in Feb of 1943
However the question of the finish still stands, can't find any record of that.

[bill300d]

Most tools in the WWII period were not plated as these materials were in short supply and regulated by gov.

[Twertsy]

This thread just gave me a "warm & fuzzy"

I created you an account Sudsy and sent your PW via PM.  I still can't figure out what's going on with my registration!!!!!

[Sudsy]

Most tools in the WWII period were not plated as these materials were in short supply and regulated by gov.

The Plombs of that period seem to all have the cadmium finish, this one does not.

[krusty the clown]

it looks like someone did a cold blue on that wrench.

[Sudsy]

That's just the lighting
It's bare steel, no finish

[lauver]

Sudsy,

From your photo above, it looks to me like your wrench may have originally had a black oxide finish that has since worn or weathered off.

Your best bet is to review the Plomb catalogs (1941 & 1942-1947), find your wrench model, and read the descriptions for any clues as to the finishes that were in use in this period.

I hope this helps....

[Harry Bergeron]

I have a couple of Plomb civilian? wrenches that are marked "war finish", which seems to be no finish at all.
In my experience, only the WF series had the grey finish.