bike wrench

[Berryb]

Hi; I used to come to this site a lot, but have not been here for a long time. Now that I have come back I expect I'll stick around. What prompted me to come back is this old bike wrench I came across last week. I tried doing searches and got everything but old wrenches. I'll try to post photos now. Thanks
Bruce

[Berryb]

Ok the pix didn't post I'll try again but will describe the wrench first: It's a 5 1/2 inch bike wrench, well made, screws open, slides closed. On the handle is "BALL BEARING WRENCH CO. 168 CHURCH ST. NEW YORK". It also has 3 patent dates '94, '95, '96.  like I say I can't find any info on the wrench. What my search did find is; a few places to buy bulk ball bearings, that address is in Tribeca, and there seems to be an apartment for rent there. Anyway I'll try to post pics again. Thanks
Bruce

[Lewill2]

Listed in Copes, American Wrench Makers 1830 - 1930. The wrench is fitted with ball bearings on the adjustment screw with a high pitch thread. All 3 patents were issued to Milton Wenger head of the New Holland Machine Company New Holland PA. Also stated that Ball Bearing Wrench Company may have been a trade name used by the New Holland Machine Company.

Milton held 6 US patents as well as several Canadian patents and a UK patent for a series of bicycle wrenches with various improvements.

525,435 patented September 4, 1894
549,221 patented November 5, 1895
572,185 patented December 1, 1896
572,186 patented December 1, 1896, different style wrench
743,360 patented November 3, 1903
837,254 patented November 27, 1906

Information from Copes book as mentioned and DATAMP website.

[lptools]

Hello, Berryb. That is a neat little wrench!!  And Lewill2, great job on the research!!! Regards, Lou

[Berryb]

Thanks for the info lewill2. Strange that Mr. Wenger would make wrenches in New York when he had shops in Penn. Not sayin I don't believe it, it's just kinda odd. Thanks
Bruce

[bill300d]

Thanks for the info lewill2. Strange that Mr. Wenger would make wrenches in New York when he had shops in Penn. Not sayin I don't believe it, it's just kinda odd. Thanks
Bruce

New York may have been just an administrative office or may be a sales office.

[mvwcnews]

( https://books.google.com/books?id=hwFeMtT9WkEC&pg=PA1344 ) an 1896 IRON AGE "new product write-up" to go with your wrench.

[Northwoods]

How does the advertised "friction clutch" operate?  It would seem that a wrench easily adjusted would be difficult to hold tight.

[Berryb]

The wrench seems to work as advertised. It  slides closed easily with thumb pressure and stays put. It seems to be  as solid as a crescent wrench, but I have not tried it on my bike yet. As for the "friction clutch" I can't tell from the diagram how it works, but it seems to. Thanks to MVWCNEWS for the info, I'm going to put a copy with the wrench. That is the only info I've seen on this wrench. I did find a reference in an equally old publication but no info. I'm beginning to think this is not a common wrench. Thanks
Bruce

[Berryb]

MVWCNEWS  Message sent.
Bruce