Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: lzenglish on August 18, 2011, 07:56:23 PM

Title: Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?
Post by: lzenglish on August 18, 2011, 07:56:23 PM

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

Title: Re: Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?
Post by: Papaw on August 18, 2011, 08:16:30 PM

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

Title: Re: Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?
Post by: rusty on August 18, 2011, 08:47:24 PM

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... ; )

Title: Re: Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?
Post by: lzenglish on August 18, 2011, 10:04:52 PM

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

Title: Re: Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?
Post by: walker on August 19, 2011, 05:10:34 AM

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

Title: Re: Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?
Post by: lzenglish on August 19, 2011, 09:24:04 AM

Thanks for the replies and info.

Wayne

Title: Re: Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?
Post by: rusty on August 19, 2011, 05:13:28 PM

You know what else it looks like....

(http://books.google.com/books?id=EEbiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA51&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U0XQqZGFABwZ5gM8ZLM2QSHAnhnng&ci=101%2C980%2C853%2C260&edge=0)

Title: Re: Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?
Post by: lzenglish on August 19, 2011, 08:51:07 PM

Quote from: rusty on August 19, 2011, 05:13:28 PM

You know what else it looks like....

(http://books.google.com/books?id=EEbiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA51&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U0XQqZGFABwZ5gM8ZLM2QSHAnhnng&ci=101%2C980%2C853%2C260&edge=0)

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

Title: Re: Hillman Herbert & Cooper Yankee Wrench?
Post by: lzenglish on August 19, 2011, 09:42:57 PM

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