Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?

[lzenglish]

Anyone have one of these, or know of its vintage? When I google it, I find very little info., except that it is refered to as a "kangaroo bicycle wrench", refering to the 1800's bicycle of the same name. The picture of the bike I have posted, is reported to be the first bike to be chain driven, built in the 1860's, by the "Hillman Herbert & Cooper Company" of the same name. Any thoughts or additional info. much appreciated.

Wayne

[Papaw]

I wonder if there is a connection to Hillman cars, or Cooper cars? Weren't they English autos of days gone by?

[rusty]

Wow, a surprisingly modern bicycle design for 1888 http://www.google.com/patents?id=XTBSAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=%22william+hillman%22&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=1#v=onepage&q&f=false

>I wonder if there is a connection to Hillman cars

William Hillman also founded the Hillman Motor Company ~1909...
(Yes, english, william lived in coventry...)

The wrench looks vaguely abbington like... ; )

[lzenglish]

It definatly has the King Dick English look to it, as show with it pictured under my 4 inch KD. It is a little heaver, and has a larger diameter adjusting screw as well. I'm wondering what the signifigance of "Yankee Wrench" is Now? Lol

Wayne

[walker]

hillman,herbert&cooper introduced the "kangaroo cycle"in 1884.in 1891 became the
"premier cycle co"so your wrench probably dates between those dates.the yankee
may have been added to export cycles to usa. nice find.
brian

[lzenglish]

Thanks for the replies and info.

Wayne

[rusty]

You know what else it looks like....

[lzenglish]

You know what else it looks like....

Yes it does look like a direct match up? It looks like it is the chicken or the egg deal now, or which one came first?

Wayne

[lzenglish]

I just tracked down the pat. no. on the Billings & Spencer, which is #212,298, So it seems to be the egg, rather than the chicken, or an "Improvement" on the "Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench"! Great Research Stuff!

Thanks,

Wayne