Tool Talk

Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Topic started by: Wrenchmensch on March 03, 2012, 01:03:30 PM

Title: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Wrenchmensch on March 03, 2012, 01:03:30 PM

Charles H. Metz of Waltham, Massachusetts developed the Orient automobile at the end of the 19th century.  He later developed the Metz automobile in 1908.  Metz also developed a motorcycle at the end of the 19th century and, in 1901, was the first exporter of motorcycles to Europe.

The 5 1/2" wrench below is heavily built (of 1/4" steel), and must have been given out with the Metz motorcycles.  It's patent date is October 18, 1898 (D29520) The square stud on the corner of the top jaw may have been used for opening calcium carbide canisters powering the motorcycle's acetylene headlight.

The size of this wrench reflects the lightweight construction of the earliest motorcycles which were more like motorized bicycles than today's H-Ds and rice burners.

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Papaw on March 03, 2012, 02:15:05 PM

That could also have been for the crankcase drain plug like the end on some Ford wrenches.

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: rusty on March 03, 2012, 03:07:27 PM

Metz was also building aeroplanes....(The Metz-Air-Car)

Is the wrench marked "Charles H. Metz" , "C.H. Metz", or just Metz ?

Metz split off from waltham manufacturiong for a while to make motor bicycles himself for a while and used the "C.H. Metz" name for that endeavor...

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Wrenchmensch on March 03, 2012, 04:20:59 PM

The wrench is marked only with a patent message: "Patented March 20, 1898. That date was a Monday. In 1898, US patents were generally issued on Wednesdays. The Design patent shows Metz's wrench piece with the square stud sticking out at the outside back corner of the jaw.

Rusty:  Thanks for adding your thoughts about the function of the stud, and for adding more to Charles H. Metz's biography.  More evidence of the "freedom to think" that was loose in America during that time.

With regard to Metz's motorcycle ventures, my source on his 1901 motorcycle export was Yesterday's Motorcycles by Bob Karolevits, published by Dakota Homestead Publishers, Mission Hill, SD 57046, Second Printing 1994.

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: rusty on March 03, 2012, 09:05:51 PM

The next consecutive design patent is also by Metz , for a bicycle compnant....

The Walthan museum website has a small section on metz/Waltham manufacturing, with a timeline. They also have few stray artifacts including a few cars and some paper, a bit sparse for such a long lived and interesting company, but it's something at least...

http://www.walthammuseum.com/

http://www.walthammuseum.com/metzco.htm

http://www.walthammuseum.com/MetzCollectionInventory.pdf

(I don't normally post multiple links to the same site, but navigation on the site is not easy...)

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Bus on March 04, 2012, 12:06:20 AM

Don't you mean patents were usually issued on Tuesdays not Wednesdays? There are a few exceptions.

From DATAMP:
Starting in 1848 US patents were generally issued on Tuesdays. The following is a list of dates which do not follow this rule:

    * 1849-03-10, a Saturday, was an issue date.
    * 1850-12-31, a Tuesday, was not an issue date.
    * 1851-01-01, a Wednesday, was an issue date.
    * 1875-10-11, a Monday, was an issue date.
    * 1875-10-12, a Tuesday, was not an issue date.
    * 1971-06-28, a Monday, was an issue date.
    * 1971-09-20, a Monday, was an issue date.
    * 1974-06-28, a Friday, was an issue date.

Your wrench with the March 20, 1898 date is an oddity, mine and all the others I have seen have the Oct. 18, 1898 date.

I seem to recall that Stan Schultz connected this wrench with a Metz bicycle seat in a past issue of the Missouri Valley Wrench Club Newsletter but I can't find the article. Maybe Stan can drop by with more information.

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Wrenchmensch on March 04, 2012, 05:48:47 AM

I read Tuesdays in Datamp, but put down Wednesdays.

As far as the date goes, that's what is stamped on the wrench. Why that date, I don't know

Vern Nail sold one of these in his auction (0382). 

I agree, Metz was an interesting fellow.

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Bus on March 04, 2012, 10:46:23 AM

I've sold al least three in past Wrenching News Auctions but all had the Oct. 18, 1898 date. I can't find any record of one like your with the March 20, 1898. Doesn't seem to be a Metz patent applied for date either.

2010 Herrington Auction Lot 97-3
2008 Don ErvIn Auction Lot 523
2007 Vern Nail Auction Lots 381 & 382

I think I have four different Matz patented wrenches in my collection. If you ever went to sell yours let me know.

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: rc.moto on March 04, 2012, 02:55:06 PM

Just to confuse the matter, I have one of these that is stamped PAT'D MARCH 25 (or 26), 1895. No other markings. 5 1/2 inches, nickel plated.

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Wrenchmensch on March 04, 2012, 05:13:40 PM

I put mine under much higher magnification this evening.   The stamp reads, "Patented March 26, 1895".  Darned small letters, aren't they?

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Bus on March 04, 2012, 06:25:07 PM

I found a March 26, 1896 patent that was issued to Charles H. Metz on that date for a "Wheel Setting Machine" but nothing for March 26, 1895. Help!!

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Bus on March 08, 2012, 07:27:21 AM

Here are four Metz related wrenches from my collection: (from left to right).

1. PAT'D OCT. 18, 1898

2. PAT MAY 11, 1897 - OCT. 18, 1898 - FEB 20, 1900

3. Same patent dates as No. 2 and also marked with a three oval logo

4.Same patent dates as No. 2 but it doesn't have the square stud shown on Metz's Oct 18, 1898 patent.

all three patent dates are on DATAMP

Metz's Oct 18, 1898
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=D29520&id=25431 (http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=D29520&id=25431)

Schrader's May 11, 1897
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=582,238&type= (http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=582,238&type=)

Schrader's Feb 20, 1900
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=644,033&type= (http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=644,033&type=)

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/buswrench/message-board/metz-patented-bike-wrenches.jpg)

Title: Re: Charles H. Metz motorcycle wrench
Post by: Wrenchmensch on March 08, 2012, 01:07:21 PM

Bus,

When Metz patented his wrench is not at issue.  This wrench clearly states "March" which does not coincide with any any patent date. There are at least two wrenches extant with the March date.  I guess I am old enough not to believe in a rational world.

Bob