Further update after going through & sorting them out.
Mostly came up pretty well (well, 10000000000000% better than previously!
).
Looking at one spanner though, that I know was my Grandad's as it's always been in the bottom of the tool box (although I don't remember it ever being used
). It was very heavily rusted, to the extent you couldn't see a thing on it, but it's now gone back to a plain grey surface.
Looking at it, you can see that it's size is 1/2 - 7/16 W, but I couldn't see a make until I grabbed a magnifying glass!, then could just make out "The Billings & Spencer Co., Hartford, Conn. USA", together with a trade mark.
Called up Mr G for some help, & found this site, which some of you may be interested in, if you have old tools etc:
http://alloy-artifacts.org/index.htmlThat tells me that that particular style of brand was used by Billings & Spencer between ... 1915 & 1926!!!
For a bit of background, after Pop was injured at Gallipoli, while serving with the Light Horse, he was transferred to become an MT Driver in France, as he was one of the very few soldiers during WW1 who could drive! After he came home, I know he stayed as a truckie during the 20s & 30s, & then through WW2, where he worked on building airfields right through Qld.
I just wish I knew how / when he got hold of this one
Did he requisition it from the Yanks in France
Did it accidentally fall into his kitbag as he was coming home
Was it part of the tool kit on one of his trucks, or did he buy it (& where did you buy vehicle tools back then
- there certainly wasn't a SuperCrap on every corner!)
I know it's been said many times, but if only it could talk!
& I think this one may have to go straight to the Pool Room! (even though we don't have one!
)
Oh, while we're on the subject, #2 is the Imperial-sized side of the bench!
