BAHCO FIND

[johnek]

What's a 'normal' handle anyway?

Here is a summary of the features of each generation. If you post some pictures I can probably give you an approximate manufacture date

Generation 1 - 1892-1915 These have a flat (smooth) handle with markings punched in them and a 45 degree head. The first were hand forged but soon they started to use drop forging. Three different types based on shafts getting wider, thinner or being parallel
Generation 2 - 1911-1915 - The angle was changed to 15 deg and the markings were dropped forged. Very rare now
Generation 3 - 1915- 1924 and 1924 - 1953 and 1954-1969 were three main phases of this featuring different markings and head shape. The main feature was the I-beam shape of the shaft that extended all the way to the set screw. There were 15 and 45 degree heads
Generation 4 - 1954-1968 and 1969-1983 were the two main phases. Main feature was a widening shaft but also thinner jaws and ergonomic improvements. Surface treatment changed from oxide to phosphate.
Generations  5 & 6 - Mostly ergonomic changes and some marked visual differences from earlier models

[strik9]

OK, first my apologies.   The answer was in the thread twice, just needed to look through it a few times to get to the roots.     A lot more to sort through than it appears.   Cool!

       It is a gen 3,  2nd phase into the early 50's model 72.    The jaws appear thinner and slightly tapered so most probably later production of the run.    Normal in this case is the handle has parallel side and I beam with hang hole.    Like most modern brands production yet.

     It shows wear but jaw slop is minimal even after more than 50 years.    I found it in a street market in Mexico of all places.
   Everybody here says these came with cars, my BIL has a 10" with the alligator handle that was part of his dad's car kit.    He says the car was new mid 60's or so.    Now the car is long scrapped after a wreck.    He never mentioned what the car was.     ( Volvo comes to mind )

[johnek]

Like these?

[strik9]

   Yes Sir, those are examples of the two I have seen.     I'd like to find a 'gator version of my own one day.     It doesn't even have to be pretty.

Mine resides with better examples of older German and Mex branded adjustables that all share quite precise tolerances for adjustables.   Out of more than a dozen or more only the best seven were kept in the purges of 2011.

[johnek]

From 1924 to 1953 Bahco 70 series shifters had a pointed fixed jaw and thick edges along the shaft. These type are more sought after than the later type with the thin edges. There were 4 basic types of markings on these. The earliest had whitworth size markings like the Bahco-Clyburn as well as one or two patent markings, then came Drop Forged Steel and Pat No 40417, then the Patent number 40417 was not included at all, and finally A/B BA HJORTH & Co was used in the 1940s. There are minor variations in this though, making the total number of actual markings more like 7 or 8. For example, from the matrix numbers it is clear that A-B preceded A/B, as shown on these wrenches.

[volvadi]

That's good information.  Thanks!

Here is a 70 from that period...




This reminds me, have you ever found out what the stars and crowns are for?  Here is the wrench that I mentioned had the crowns....




Here is one with just one star...

[Branson]

Three Bacho adjustable wrenches, NOS in original packages on eBay this morning:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350883927237?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[johnek]

These are good but rather modern. I have a set of all the sizes for 067* Series, produced from 1969-1983. So far as I know the later versions of generation 4 had the length specification in mm (eg 0673-300) prior to the introduction of the 80 ergo series. ...And this is where I give up collecting as they are just too recent. Mind you, sometimes you find spanners in an original packet and they are definitely more valuable, sometimes double the price of a similar as new condition wrench. I note a Gen 3 No 72 period 1954-1969 in excellent condition is at least 3 times the price if the box is included as well (see picture). These are the cheapest of Bahco otherwise

[johnek]

This could be the rarest of the 4 inch BAHCO wrenches.

The No 29 was made from 1925 to mid 1926 when its designation was changed to No 69.

You will notice it has a single patent number and a stamped jaw (like the later Bahco-Clyburn models) and a rounded fixed jaw (like all the Bahco-Clyburn Models).

Curiously, this one has the matrix number of "0", which is not seen on any other Bahco wrench.

[volvadi]

Very, very cool.  Always wondered if one of these actually existed.  Do you know the  owner?  I would love to see it in person some day.

Also... Do you know what the "Matrix" number means?  It's always been a curiosity of mine.

[johnek]

Hi Volvadi,
The owner is - me!

The 'matrix' number is the number associated with the pressing, or mould. They could only make so many before they needed a new mould, and this was the opportunity to change the labeling, which sometimes happened. For each series, it starts at 1. It gives an indication of the wrench's age. I have several with Number 1.

[Bus]

Hi Volvadi,
The owner is - me!

The 'matrix' number is the number associated with the pressing, or mould. They could only make so many before they needed a new mould, and this was the opportunity to change the labeling, which sometimes happened. For each series, it starts at 1. It gives an indication of the wrench's age. I have several with Number 1.

I'm am wondering what the moulds were for, aren't these wrenches drop forged? Wouldn't it be the dies that wear out and need to be replaced?

[johnek]

Dies yes, not moulds. I should use the correct terminology

[volvadi]

"The owner is - me!"


Congratulations on owning this rare thing.  Australia is on my bucket list but it will probably be quite a while before I get there.

[johnek]

STARS AND CROWNS ON BAHCO
The meaning of these was asked about recently.
I have had a discussion with another collector in Finland about various markings on Bahco - we are currently starting to build up a database of how the different markings for each model progresses with the matrix numbers (the small numbers near the base of the handle). So we have established that these numbers are changed when the die used in the forging process is renewed. Obviously some new numbers meant a change in some of the other markings - including major changes like DROP-FORGED-STEEL being replaced with A/B BA HJORTH & CO.

However, dies apparently were also refurbished - not replaced - and this often meant the addition of another star. Possibly this was a way of keeping track of the fact that the die was refurbished. This is confirmed by the fact that there are samples with the same matrix number but more stars. So two stars is later than one.

As for three crowns - this means the wrench belonged to the armed forces, and was punched in by them. Sometimes these wrenches have a professional looking stamped number that is the army's record keeping of their stock.

See attached images as examples. Will post an example of wrenches with same matrix number, different number of stars, when I find one.