Billings & Spencer 1118/27 Engineers’ 15 Degree Double-End Wrench 1915-1926 For Sale

Billings and Spencer Company resulted as a reorganization of the Roper Sporting Arms Company, a partnership of Charles E. Billings and Christopher Spencer, in 1873. The former arms and sewing machine parts manufacturer soon evolved into a significant maker of wrenches and other hand tools. In 1915 after beginning expansion, a reincorporation resulted in a name change to “The Billings & Spencer Company”.The name change is significant to Collectors as it helps to defines a time period for estimating the age of tools. This Wrench is stamped with the Company’s new name; slanted, all upper case letters and including a leading word “THE” (see images). This identifies the Wrench as having been produced in the period referred to by Alloy Artifacts as “Standard Early Face Markings: 1915 to 1926” Branding was changed to a simple “BILLINGS” in 1929.The wrench was produced during the beginning of evolutionary change in standardized sizing for Wrenches. It took decades for standardization to cover the industry, but Billings & Spencer, along with J.H. Williams & Company, were among the leaders. The result here is that the Wrench is marked with a Billings & Spencer number (1118), a Williams number (27) and U.S. Standard sizes (5/16 - 3/8) (see images). Alloy Artifacts has a lengthy discussion about Sizing The Milled Openings for the Wrench are 19/32 - 11/16.What does the above mean? It’s only history unless you choose to put the hundred years-old Wrench to work in which case it’ll fit funny, probably. And it’s Carbon-Steel. As a piece of history it’s cool. Yes, it could go to work because it’s in fully functional condition. There is some evidence of past corrosion (see images), but other than that it looks good, perhaps because of the “attractive ‘Duro’ black rust-proof finish”. There is limited information regarding the “Duro” finish; “The Billings & Spencer Co.: Drop Forged Mechanics Tools : 36th Edition by The Billings & Spencer Co., 1926” The Wrench will fit easily into Period or Manufacturer’s Show-and-Tell Collection.We will ship the Wrench by USPS Ground Advantage on the next regular business day following payment.