Author Topic: Dreadnaught wrenches-new to me info  (Read 13508 times)

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Offline Neals

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Dreadnaught wrenches-new to me info
« on: May 19, 2013, 10:51:21 PM »
I picked up a Dreadnaught wrench on Friday. Marked on one side DREADNAUGHT, 1/4 & 5/16 USS, 5/16 OC. The other side CHROME-MOLYBDENUM, 1025, MCKINNON, Made in Canada.
Gray tools lists a Dreadnaught adjustable in their 1941 catalogue. The response to an e-mail to them indicated that they had no knowledge of having made any Dreadnaught tools other than the adjustables.
Was Dreadnaught a house brand for someone who jobbed out manufacture to several manufacturers? At this time I am only aware of adjustables and open end wrenches with the Dreadnaught name. Does anyone have knowledge of other tools?
Mckinnon Industries bought the Canadian operations of J. H. Williams Co. of Buffalo NY in 1925. Williams was listed as Manufacturing wrenches, hammers and small tools in St Catherines Ontario at the time of purchase.
Mckinnon was an automotive supplier to GM among others. It was bought in 1929 by GM and operated as a subsiduary until 1969.
I don't recall seeing any other Mckinnon tools.

Offline lbgradwell

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Re: Dreadnaught wrenches-new to me info
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2013, 07:38:36 AM »
I picked up a Dreadnaught wrench on Friday. Marked on one side DREADNAUGHT, 1/4 & 5/16 USS, 5/16 OC. The other side CHROME-MOLYBDENUM, 1025, MCKINNON, Made in Canada.
Gray tools lists a Dreadnaught adjustable in their 1941 catalogue. The response to an e-mail to them indicated that they had no knowledge of having made any Dreadnaught tools other than the adjustables.

It is odd that Gray claims to have no knowledge of Dreadnaught apart from the adjustables.

We know for certain - based on your own example - that they made DOEs too...



Kijiji King

Offline Neals

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Re: Dreadnaught wrenches-new to me info
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2013, 09:48:00 PM »
My memory and recordkeeping are both a bit lacking these days. I had forgot that Gray wrench.
Gray seems to be in the process of setting up a museum and researching their history. From 3 emails I have the impression that at present responses are based on the memory of senior staff.
I hope someday to know the Dreadnaught story.

Offline Bill Houghton

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Re: Dreadnaught wrenches-new to me info
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2013, 12:32:10 PM »
For ship maintenance?



Just teasing.  Nice that the company's decided to honor its history.  Someone should contact them and invite them to post their questions here, eh?

Offline EVILDR235

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Re: Dreadnaught wrenches-new to me info
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2013, 06:01:31 PM »
I have a pair of Dreadnaught rollerskates that were sold by M-Wards.

EvilDr235

chuck garrett

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Re: Dreadnaught wrenches-new to me info
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2015, 04:05:52 PM »
Dreadnought  OE wrenchs are new to me also as I tripped over this looking for Dreadnought  Hexall socket set made by Sedgley. Have one but have been unable to document it or locate another one.

Offline Twertsy

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Re: Dreadnaught wrenches-new to me info
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2015, 06:36:56 AM »
Scroll down to July, 1915.  Bonney trademarked Dreadnought for their wrenches in 1915.  Given the Bonney-Gray connection....................?

http://toolarchives.com/?q=Bonney-Company-timeline

EDIT: Appears to be a different spelling so................nevermind   :undecided:
« Last Edit: November 18, 2015, 06:39:26 AM by Twertsy »

Offline leg17

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Re: Dreadnaught wrenches-new to me info
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2015, 07:51:30 AM »
AND, there was the DREADNOUGHT branded wrenches by Kraeuter.