BAHCO FIND

[johnek]

Hi,

That Bahco 86 is a fairly common Generation 3 but not an older one otherwise it would have A/B BA HJORTH on the back. I think the "10B" could be 103. Its worth about $125AUD in today's market. They come up reasonably regularly on EBay.

Regards,

joHn

[seanbau]

Thanks John for the quick reply and info

Having a closer look under a magnifier it definitely has a straight left edge which would make it a 10B not 103

Its hard to believe the condition and especially the quality of a tool so old !!

Cheers
Sean

[seanbau]

With the move I am doing, finding it hard to decide - keeping it in storage or try to sell it as I never used it other than to easily loosen a nut on a towball once that no other tool would even budge!!

[johnek]

I suggest you keep it - hang it above your workbench and collect a nice set of generation 3's - You'll need a 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 and a 30" 86. The 10B on this one is the matrix number which tells you that the mould has been replaced 10 times. Maybe the B was the second type of mould for the 10th series of 86 produced? Either way it proves it's a later model. The most sought after ones have a number 1 which mean they were the very first of that series.

[johnek]

Here is a nice Bahco 22, a 10" Shark that shows the double patent numbers and a matrix number 1. This makes it highly desirable and probably close to the start of production, 1928. It has a few usage marks on it and some evidence of ownership markings which detract from its value a bit, but still a very nice collector tool and becoming hard to find

[johnek]

In terms of the condition of a Bahco wrench, we all know it makes a big difference to the price if the wrench is in good order verses one that is worn. If it appears unused, a wrench will command a high price, and even higher if it has its original box. Factors that affect condition include normal wear and tear but particularly any non-original markings or drilled holes. Sometimes the old personalising markings seem to give the item a nice character, but I would stay away completely from any wrench that has non-original holes (as many of the early gen 1 wrenches have as they didn't originally have a shaft hole). If its twisted or bent or if the knurl is hard to use - don't buy it unless its a rare one.

But what value an original box? A good example are the two Bahco 73 below from 1924-1953 (late in that period). The un-boxed one I bought for AUD$31 and its excellent - absolutely as new. The same one, possibly not as good though claimed to be unused sold at about the same time for AUD$60. So the existence of a box seems to double the price. Well, boxes are rare so that seems about right to me.
Another example of a nice Bahco 72 with original box selling also shown

[johnek]

These pictures illustrate some differences in markings for Generation One BAHCO models (third series 1910-1915). It is interesting to note that it is generally believed that the shaft hole was placed on the later ones of the period, however note that MADE IN ENKOPING, a label on the No2 in the picture that is normally associated with earlier wrenches such as second series, HAS an original shaft hole.

There seems to be considerable variability in labeling, and establishing patterns to enable more accurate dating of wrenches is not always simple, particularly when you find these odd ones that don't seem to fit into the mainstream...

[johnek]

Who said vintage wrenches aren't useful? 

Here's a photo of a No 3 15" (1910-1915) in use after changing a set of track rod ends in my Triumph Stag.

[johnek]

A vintage 8" Bahco 51 wrench sold on Swedish EBay (Aug 2015) for a record price of 2027SEK (equivalent to $322 AUD).

This model is called a generation 2 wrench (1911-1913) and is the most collectable of all the Bahco, with the next most expensive Bahco probably being a large 12" Shark wrench No 23, or a 12" double header 73/72 at about the same value around $200. Put that in perspective, when an ordinary 8" Generation 3 would fetch no more than $20.
There seem to be just a few collectors worldwide interested in collecting Bahco, with the same names coming up over and over on auction sites. Previously another generation 2 Bahco 52 sold for 1500SEK ($238) and that was considered high. These prices show that when you get just a couple of keen bidders the price of collectables quickly enters bubble territory - just like Sydney Real Estate! In this case the prize was won by a Finnish collector known to have quite a sizeable collection, including at least 4 Generation 2 Bahcos. Price may not be an issue to the collector however, as he probably doesnt intend to ever sell it. If he did, it would unlikely ever see these values again, or at least until collecting Bahco becomes more of a mainstream activity.

[johnek]

Prices of wrenches will vary somewhat at auction depending on who is bidding, but they generally sell within a reasonable limit based on rarity and size. Still, some people have no idea. Have a look at these two ads. The first is a nice chrome Bahco 4" 669 which recently sold for 46 SEK - thats about $8. That is a fairly low price as I have seen these regularly go for around $15. Here is another unsold Bahco 969, on offer for a starting bid of $120. It is not a rare model, nor does it look in especially great condition. In fact the 669 is a bit harder to find as the 6 series only ever seems to appear in Sweden, and you can generally ad a bit to the regular price for chrome as well. Go figure

[johnek]

There are a number of variations of the 8 inch hajnyckel or 'shark' Bahco No 31 worth mentioning. The standard 31 is very common and not particularly valuable. Later models had a hole near the tail and even later ones were called model 32 and came with a printed-on labelling. Again, these are good to have in a collection but relatively cheap to obtain. You will find some marked VOLVO or SAAB and perhaps these are a bit more valuable as they are not as common. The car enthusiasts love them. The most valuable model 31 by far is the earliest, which will have the whitworth size markings 5/8 x 8 IN and twin patent numbers on the back. These are hard to find and very valuable, perhaps worth 10 times the standard model. Even more so if it has a matrix number 1 (probably will have).

[Yadda]

Great info!  Thanks for sharing.

[johnek]

Ultimately the most desirable wrench is one that its exactly as original, with no "after-market" markings or modifications. However, some are more acceptable than others. You may find Bahco with three crowns - these are marking placed on the wrench when new by the army. Three crown markings are actually quite sought-after. Other wrenches have personalised markings that seem to give the wrench some character - some examples below. It is better if these are not on the wrench but seem to be acceptable. They are part of the item's history.
Some wrenches might be found with additional holes or modified jaws (Ground down). These should be AVOIDED - they are almost worthless!

[johnek]

A pre-1950's Bahco 87 model (30") surrounded by a swarm of the littlest Bahco, namely 4" models of various years from 1926 to late 1980s.

[johnek]

Bahco Hajnickel Nos 23 (12") to 20 (6") and a 30 (6")