Asbury's Patent Spanner Wrench

[Dave]

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)




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

[Papaw]

Start here- http://www.taths.org.uk/tools-and-trades/articles/183-100-years-of-adjustable-spanners-in-birmingham

[AntiqueCollector]

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 .

Here is another photo of one stamp on my Asbury Patent Wrench:

[AntiqueCollector]

One more photo of another stamp... This one is located on the handle...


Regards,
Dave.

[AntiqueCollector]

Has anyone ever seen a Spanner wrench such as this one?

[bill300d]

Can't say that I have but I'd like to.

[Branson]

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.

[AntiqueCollector]

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.

[Branson]

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.