How do you use this wrench?

[coolford]

This open end wrench is 3/4" and the drive end is 1/2" square drive.  Seems odd to me to even make something like this and the only way it might be used would be on edge.  Any other ideas.  Oh yes, no markings of any kind.

[gibsontool]

That's a strange one for sure. Looks home made.

[john k]

Could be used in a normal fasion if connected to a sliding T-handle.  Am sure there was a tight spot for it on some old iron.   Or use different length extensions for handles.

[gibsontool]

It doesn't look to me like there is a weld where the handle of the wrench joins the 1/2" socket, so if you look inside the socket does it look like it was plug welded or does it look like it was forged in one piece. I'm kinda thinking john k may well be on the right track but it sure would be interesting if someone can tell what it was actually made for.

[coolford]

I looked at it carefully before I posted it, and it was forged in one piece.  I tried a 36" extension on it and it would no doubt reach something well inside a machine.

[Bill Houghton]

It's for repairing machines from the Rube Goldberg Manufacturing Company.

[amecks]

If you had no clearance for a wrench handle, then you wouldn't have clearance for a ratchet extension either.  But John K's sliding T handle might make sense.  Suppose the wrench and T handle were used in tight quarters but you could still get both hands on the T handle and pull or push?

[JoeCB]

The orientation of the 1/2" sq socket is strange, 90* to the flat of the wrench. If used with a "T" handle, the handle would be at a 45 to the plane of the work.
My recollection is that "T" handles have the "square" in plane with the handle... yes?, no? 

Joe B

[john k]

Seen both, in plane and 45 degrees off.   An application that comes to mind was the virtally hidden manifold bolts on in-line six cylinders.  Some required splitting the exhaust half from the intake side.  The Ford engines in the 60s used alll kinds of special tools, that hung on the specialty board in the shop.