Interesting story that I thought you might enjoy, I am hesitant to offer this as of yet since I am still working out the particulars so I may not be dead nuts on all of this info but this is going to be pretty close and if there is any interest to this post I will post the final outcome of my studies. Most of this sort of info wont be found on the internet but I have anough G,B literature that I havent had a chance to ever look at to help me along. I also have the benefit of some contact people who have helped me with this greatly. If anyone would like to correct me than I implore them to do so.
It would seem that the G.B originally offered conversion kits to other auto manuf in the early teens before they decided to produce an entire truck bearing their own nameplate.
Actually it was late 1916 early 17, they were able to start the company with profits from their sold Graham glass company and their special bottle making machine.
Ray Graham introduced the first 4 cyl tractor in Indians in 1910. The company continued with farm tractors and also kits to convert autos into light duty trucks, they invented a special rear axle and telescoping rear frame section that allowed conversion of the model T Ford chasis . Within the kit was a specalized extended rear frame and chain drive rear wheels also a cab and either a stake or express rear body. 350 dollars was the cost. IN 1917 they renamed their kit the Graham Bros truck builder and claimed that the cust could use this kit on any vehicle which might explain some of the wrenches but I am still working on this.
I dont know if these kits were only offered for Ford vehicles or if they were applicable to many other makes, .......I added to my theory already above.....I believe they were not solely confined to Fords but that was for obvious reasons one of their major sales.
I believe though as mentioned that the kits could be adapted and were adapted to most any make, I have a short list of what was offered within these kits and it included extensions for the rear portion of frame and other items but until now I am still not perfectly clear on some of these accessories so I would rather not comment to them yet.
I think that sometime in 1919 they began producing their own complete line of trucks with the GB nameplate........actually it was late 19........and in ...........April ............21 joined hands with D.B corporation to produce trucks using their drivelines. Aug of 1924 Dodge purchased 51% of Graham shares to supposedely work more closely with the firm.
I have read that the partnership only lasted two years ................actually it was roughly 4 years, April of 1926 the relationship ended because of the Dillon and Read buyout, the Graham Bros felt they had lost their upper hand within the company and could not do as they had originally planned within the company because of new owners......................and have also read 5 years, both of these numbers were pulled off line so it just goes to show that their is alot of confusion.
I honestly dont know .........I do now................at this point if Graham Bros stayed on with Dodge all the way up until 1928 but evidence in the format of corporations ledgers seem to hint toward the 3 bros. all having seperate positions within the company even after 1928 takeover. ..........I was wrong it would appear on all of this, the ledgars are dated mid 20s
It would seem that at some point in 28 Chrysler decided to drop the Graham truck line ( I dont know why yet ) ...........I still dont know if someone could enlighten me it would be appreciated, I have been told it was 28 but that the Graham name still showed up in some vehicles all the way up until the early thirties and there was an agreement made then or before then ( again still unclear on the actual date that Graham left Dodge ) that Graham would not produce trucks for a period of 5 years after they left the Dodge corporation, they broke this agreement in 1930 by introducing the Paige motor car line as a new truck line and were quicly corrected by Walter P. that it was a NO No and this is what caused them to turn back with building cars.
Back to the intent of the original post the ignition set is not neccesarily solely ignition after all, apparently because of Grahams spotted endeavours they used many different types of ignitions in their vehicles, they also used various makes of horns, ignition switches and other electrical devices, this kit was intended to treat all of these. Most likely manufactured late 20s most probabaly 27 28 and as noted above 28 would have been the cutoff point.
I have some questions now I was hoping some of you could help me with, I would appreciate it if you are uncertain of something please note that in your remarks, I have been doing Dodge pretty intently for a little while now and I have never seen another kit such as this and wont hold my breath that I ever will again so if it were to become damaged I would not be very happy.
There is a wooden tray that has been cut out to the shape of each individual wrench, some of the wrenches have pretty extreme angles and cause the need for extreme depressions within this wooden tray, the tray and the outer pouch are bonded somehow as one piece.
I am assuming if the outer case is leather than the GB logo is some sort of dye, what do you think. How was this stamped onto here?
What sort of treatment could be used to at least stabalize the material of tho outer portion of pouch, I am assuming that it is leather as mentioned but it is terribly thin and I know the 28 model A rumble seat used a synthetic material wheras the front compartment used a leather so could this possibly be a synthetic material.
I am assuming the GB logo is a dye stamp, any info on this process and the types of dye possbly used would be helpfull possibly to preserve this logo.
The wrenches are fairly clean but in some small areas show rust pitting, what might be the best way to once again preseve these while getting rid of or stopping the rust without damaging what might be the original nickel plating. To be honest they may not even be plated at all, I am not sure at this point.
The feeler gauge was rusted solid between its leaves, I was able to work it all lose with some WD but the actio is still not smooth, what could I soak this in to not only get rid of the traces of rust but also make its operation smoother, you have to remember that we are deaing with some steel that is pretty thin in some areas.
Here is a rundown of the wrenches that are marked
2 Remys
2 bosch
1 delco
1 for K.W. ( what might that be ??? any ideas???)
1 eisman
1 splitdorf
1 Northeast
2 unmarked
1 ...very hard to read first letter definitely C...second letter definitely O......3rd letter may be an N.....a couple of unknown letters in between and then what appears to be a TIC....Any ideas on what that is supposed to say. I think there is a FOR above all of that but cant verify for sure. Very weak print on this wrench
Total of 12 wrenches.
Any help with any of this is greatly appreciated
