Bonney 823A DOE

[strik9]

I have had this a while now and have not been able to find information on the Bonney 8XX series wrenches.   I would like to know a range of years and its intended purpose if possible.

Any help offered is greatly appreciated.

Brian

[john k]

I'll take a try at it.   I have some Bonney, that I can date to the 1920s, and they have the name in a nice script on the jaw face.   This however does still have both size markings, which many wrenches had pre-1930.   With the B in the shield, and being in plain steel, no nickel plate, I would place its manufacture in the early 30s.   By the late 30s, many wrenches were being chromed, and nearly all after WWII.    My earlier wrenches are numbered similarly,  822,824,826, where yours is 823 which would be size, not series.  Williams also used a similar numbering system.  Intended purpose, would say it was a general purpose tool box wrench.   Have also seen some stamped for specific jobs, and thin ones stamped (Check-Nut wrench).  Wish I could be more specific.

[strik9]

This example is rather wide hipped and thin steel.   Check nut or short pattern came to mind but alas, I have no catalogs to verify.  Even though the face had been ground some there should be traces of a logo left and there are none.  Thus it had been eliminated as an early 20's by me also.

Having 3 sizing markings; number, hex cap and old standard SAE is where it threw me for a loop badly.

Thank you John.    That has helped a lot.