Cornwell Quality Tool Company [Under Construction]

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Early Tools
• Wrenches
• Sockets and Drive Tools
• Specialty Tools
• References and Resources
• What's New (Last Updated June 26, 2008)
  Recent changes to this page:

  • 06/26/2008: Added a Cornwell "Skidmore" Preset Torque Wrench.
  • 06/01/2008: Added a Cornwell "B" Early 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle.
  • 05/30/2008: Added a Cornwell "C" 1/2x9/16 Flex-Box Wrench.
  • 04/16/2008: Added a Cornwell CW1616 Combination Wrench.
  • 04/12/2008: Added a Cornwell [EW]12 Open-End Wrench and a Cornwell EP-2-6 3/8-Drive Impact Extension.
  • 01/01/2008: Added a Cornwell BW67 Halfmoon Box Wrench.
  • 12/11/2007: Added a Cornwell BW22 Offset Box Wrench.
  • 12/03/2007: Added a Cornwell AJ-10B Adjustable Wrench.
  • 11/04/2007: Added a Cornwell AW34 Brake Wrench and a Cornwell "B" 1/2-Drive Extension.
  • 09/11/2007: Added a Cornwell EW28 Open-End Wrench and a Cornwell CW3 Combination Wrench.
  • 08/25/2007: Added a Cornwell Early 1/2 Tappet Wrench.
  • 08/12/2007: Added a Cornwell TW54 Tappet Wrench.
  • 07/16/2007: Added a Cornwell SR-5 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 05/09/2007: Added a Cornwell SH17 1/2-Drive Speeder.
  • 04/06/2007: Added a Cornwell CW9 Combination Wrench.
  • 03/25/2007: Added a Cornwell EW12 Open-End Wrench.
  • 03/10/2007: Added a Cornwell CW12 Combination Wrench.
  • 03/09/2007: Added Cornwell Early Tappet Wrenches.
  • 03/06/2007: Added a Cornwell CW14 Combination Wrench and a Cornwell JR2 3/8-Drive Ratchet.
  • 02/26/2007: Added a Cornwell AW22 Angle-Head Wrench.
  • 02/23/2007: Added a Cornwell CWF14 Combination Flare Wrench.
  • 02/22/2007: Added Cornwell Early Tappet Wrenches.
  • 02/21/2007: Added a Cornwell Early AW12 Angle-Head Wrench, Cornwell CW5 Combination Wrench, and a Cornwell CW12 Combination Wrench.
  • 02/19/2007: Added a Cornwell EW22 Open-End Wrench and a Cornwell AW24 Angle-Head Wrench.
  • 02/18/2007: Added a Cornwell Early Open-End Wrench, Cornwell AW4 Angle-Head Wrench, Cornwell CW16 Combination Wrench, and a Cornwell SR4 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 02/17/2007: Added a Cornwell AW10 Angle-Head Wrench, Cornwell AW20 Angle-Head Wrench, Cornwell CW7 Combination Wrench, and a Cornwell Early No. 55 Gearless Ratchet.
  • 02/16/2007: Added a Cornwell Early Open-End Wrench, Cornwell Early AW4 Angle-Head Wrench, Cornwell AW6 Angle-Head Wrench, and a Cornwell AW18 Angle-Head Wrench.
  • 02/13/2007: Added page, no content yet.

Introduction

Company History

Currently we don't have much information regarding the Cornwell company, but hope to fill in more details at a later time.

Cornwell Quality Tools was founded in 1919 by Eugene Cornwell, a skilled blacksmith operating in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Cornwell experimented with different metal alloys and methods of heat-treating, with the goal of making tools of superior quality.

By the mid 1920s Cornwell was printing and distributing catalogs of their tools. An undated catalog from this time shows open-end and tappet wrenches, chisels and punches, and a set of sockets and tools in 1/2 square drive. The socket tools are of particular interest, as the catalog states that both sockets and tools were forged from chrome-molybdenum steel. This would make Cornwell the earliest known company to offer hot forged sockets in the standard interchangeable drive format, as well as one of the first companies to use alloy steels for socket tools.

In 1927 the company moved to Mogadore, Ohio to expand its production facilities, and photographs in their early catalogs show the substantial manufacturing facility built in Mogadore. The date of the move to Mogadore is noted in a brochure printed for Cornwell's 65th anniversary year, based on information sent by another collector.

Catalog No. 16 from around 1934 lists a wide variety of tools, including sockets in (square) drive sizes 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, and 7/8, an extensive selection of wrenches, and many automotive specialty tools.

Catalog No. 17 from 1935 shows the first adoption of a model number system, with models assigned based on a leading mnemonic followed by a number. For example, combination wrenches were the CWnn series, 1/2-drive sockets ("standard") were the SSnn series, and open-end wrenches were the EWnn series. This first model number system remained in use at least through 1952 and catalog No. 28.

By 1955 Cornwell was using a second generation model number system, with most models encoding the sizes in 32nds.

Patents

Trademarks

Cornwell registered at least two trademarks, one for the company name with the first use listed as 1920. The other trademark is a "Cornwell Man" logo resembling a "C" in a circle.

Manufacturing Dates

Cornwell tools are frequently marked with a number before or after the company name, as for example "16 Cornwell" or "Cornwell 12". These numbers are believed to encode the manufacturing date, but the coding is not currently known.

If any readers know how to interpret the Cornwell date codes, please let us know via the "Contact Us" link at the bottom.

Until the date coding system can be understood, we'll try to develop some guidelines for estimating the manufacturing dates based on tool markings, styles, finishes, and other information. Currently the most useful guideline is based on the changes in Cornwell's model number system. Tools without a model number are likely pre-1935, and tools marked with the first generation model numbers were likely made sometime between 1935 and 1954. Tools with a second-generation model number were likely made in 1955 or later.

Early Tools

Cornwell Early 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 1. Cornwell Early 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench, with Insets for Reverse and Side View, ca. 1920s.

The overall length is 5.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The reverse side (middle iset) is marked with sizes "5/16" and "3/8", which in the older S.A.E. size convention corresponds to the 1/2 and 9/16 opening sizes.

Cornwell Early 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 2. Cornwell Early 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench, with Insets for Reverse and Side View, ca. 1920s.

Fig. 2 shows another early example, a Cornwell 19/32x11/16 open-end wrench, stamped "Cornwell" on the shank with the U.S.S. sizes stamped on the faces.

The overall length is 6.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Cornwell Early 1/2 Tappet Wrenches

The next two figures show pairs of early tappet wrenches, both marked with sizes based on the older SAE convention.

Fig. 3. Cornwell Early 1/2 Tappet Wrenches, ca. 1920s.

Fig. 3 at the left shows the earlier pair of Cornwell 1/2 tappet wrenches, stamped "Cornwell" on the shank with "5/16" on the face.

The overall lengths are 8.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Fig. 4. Cornwell Early 1/2 Tappet Wrenches with SAE Marking, ca. 1920s.

Fig. 4 shows a somewhat later pair of Cornwell 1/2 tappet wrenches, stamped "Cornwell" on the shank with "5/16 SAE" on the face.

The overall lengths are 8.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Cornwell "B" Early 1/2 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 5. Cornwell "B" Early 1/2 Tappet Wrench.

Fig. 5 shows another somewhat later Cornwell 1/2 tappet wrench, stamped "Cornwell" and "B" on the shank with the fractional size on the face.

The overall length is 7.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The fractional size marking, in place of the earlier S.A.E. sizes, presumably indicates a somewhat later manufacturing date for this example.

Cornwell "C" Early 1/2x9/16 Flex-Box Wrench

Fig. 6. Cornwell "C" Early 1/2x9/16 Flex-Box Wrench, with Inset for Top View, ca. Early 1930s.

Fig. 6 shows an early Cornwell 1/2x9/16 flex-box wrench, stamped "Cornwell" and "C" on the shank, with the fractional sizes stamped on the flex sockets.

The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Wrenches

Open-End Wrenches

Cornwell EW12 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrenches

The next figures show two generations of the Cornwell EW12 open-end wrench.

Fig. 7. Cornwell [EW]12 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench, ca. Early 1930s.

Fig. 7 shows a rare early Cornwell 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench, stamped "22 Cornwell" and "12" on the shank. The "12" marking corresponds to the EW12 model, but indicates production before the model number prefixes went into use.

The overall length is 4.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Fig. 8. Cornwell EW12 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 8 shows a later Cornwell EW12 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench, marked "35 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 5.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Cornwell EW22 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 9. Cornwell EW22 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 9 shows a Cornwell EW22 9/16x5/8 open-end wrench, marked "20 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 7.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Cornwell EW28 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 10. Cornwell EW28 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 10 at the left shows a Cornwell EW28 5/8x3/4 open-end wrench, stamped "15 Cornwell" on the shank.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

Cornwell TW54 3/4x13/16 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 11. Cornwell TW54 3/4x13/16 Tappet Wrench.

Fig. 11 shows a Cornwell TW54 3/4x13/16 tappet wrench, marked "17 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Angle-Head Wrenches

Cornwell was one of the first companies to develop open-end obstruction wrenches in a design close to the preferred modern form. Cornwell's design featured two openings of the same size but different offset angles, with one end offset at 15 degrees and the other offset at 60 degrees to the opposite side. Another notable feature of the wrenches was the very narrow shank, an advantage when working in restricted spaces.

These obstruction wrenches were listed in catalog No. 16 (about 1934) as "brake wrenches", but of course they served for many other tasks as well. The design came to be very popular with aircraft mechanics, and later Cornwell catalogs mention these as aircraft wrenches.

Obstruction wrenches of different styles were produced by a number of other companies, and the interested reader may want to review these alternative designs. Examples include the Blackhawk-Armstrong 2029 Wrench, Bonney 2727 Wrench, Herbrand 1827 Wrench, and Williams 2021 Wrench.

Cornwell AW4 7/16x7/16 Angle-Head Wrenches

The next two figures show examples of the model AW4 wrench.

Fig. 12. Cornwell Early [AW]4 7/16x7/16 Angle-Head Wrench, ca. Early 1930s.

Fig. 12 at the left shows an early example of the AW4 7/16x7/16 angle-head wrench, stamped "14 Cornwell" and "4" on the shank. The model number is stamped as just "4" instead of "AW4", suggesting that this may have been produced before the model number prefixes were standardized.

The overall length is 4.6 inches, and the finish is polished steel.

Fig. 13. Cornwell AW4 7/16x7/16 Angle-Head Wrench.

Fig. 13 at the left shows a later Cornwell AW4 wrench, marked "11 Cornwell" and "USA" on the reverse of the shank.

The overall length is 4.9 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

Cornwell AW6 1/2x1/2 Angle-Head Wrench

Fig. 14. Cornwell AW6 1/2x1/2 Angle-Head Wrench.

Fig. 14 shows a Cornwell AW6 1/2x1/2 angle-head wrench, marked "25 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 5.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Cornwell AW10 5/8x5/8 Angle-Head Wrench

Fig. 15. Cornwell AW10 5/8x5/8 Angle-Head Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 15 shows a Cornwell AW10 5/8x5/8 angle-head wrench, marked "18 Cornwell" and "USA" on the reverse. (The inset has been rotated for readability.)

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Cornwell AW12 11/16x11/16 Angle-Head Wrench

Fig. 16. Cornwell Early [AW]12 11/16x11/16 Angle-Head Wrench, ca. Early 1930s.

Fig. 16 shows an early Cornwell AW12 11/16x11/16 angle-head wrench, stamped "19 Cornwell" and "12" on the shank. The model number is stamped as just "12" instead of "AW12", suggesting that this wrench was produced before the model number prefixes were standardized.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Cornwell AW18 7/8x7/8 Angle-Head Wrench

Fig. 17. Cornwell AW18 7/8x7/8 Angle-Head Wrench.

Fig. 17 shows a Cornwell AW18 7/8x7/8 angle-head wrench, marked "16 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel with polished faces.

Cornwell AW20 15/16x15/16 Angle-Head Wrench

Fig. 18. Cornwell AW20 15/16x15/16 Angle-Head Wrench.

Fig. 18 shows a Cornwell AW20 15/16x15/16 angle-head wrench, marked "17 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 9.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Cornwell AW22 1x1 Angle-Head Wrench

Fig. 19. Cornwell AW22 1x1 Angle-Head Wrench.

Fig. 19 shows a Cornwell AW22 1x1 angle-head wrench, marked "18 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 9.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Cornwell AW24 1-1/16x1-1/16 Angle-Head Wrench

Fig. 20. Cornwell AW24 1-1/16x1-1/16 Angle-Head Wrench.

Fig. 20 shows a Cornwell AW24 1-1/16x1-1/16 angle-head wrench, marked "16 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 10.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Box-End Wrenches

Cornwell BW22 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 21. Cornwell BW22 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 21 shows a Cornwell BW22 1/2x9/16 offset box wrench, marked "23 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 7.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Cornwell BW67 5/8x3/4 Halfmoon Box Wrench

Fig. 22. Cornwell BW67 5/8x3/4 Halfmoon Box Wrench.

Fig. 22 shows a Cornwell BW67 5/8x3/4 asymmetrical halfmoon box wrench, stamped "18 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 7.7 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

The BW67 wrench was first offered in Cornwell catalog No. 20 of 1938. The catalog description recommends it for Chrysler starter motor service, and for Chevrolet starters and front motor support bolts.

Cornwell also offered halfmoon wrenches in a symmetrical design, with models BW64 through BW66 available as early as 1935.

Combination Wrenches

The combination wrench style is a popular design with open and box ends of equal size. Credit for the original design is usually given to Plomb Tool with their April 1933 newsletter announcement, although Bonney had also introduced wrenches of the same design by May of 1933. The combination wrench quickly gained acceptance, and most of the major tool makers were offering this style within a few years.

Cornwell began producing combination wrenches in 1934 or 1935, and the first published listing is in catalog No. 17 of 1935. At that time four models were available in sizes from 7/16 (model CW4) to 5/8 (model CW10).

Cornwell CW3 3/8 Combination Wrench

Fig. 23. Cornwell CW3 3/8 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 23 at the left shows a Cornwell CW3 3/8 combination wrench, marked "27 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 5.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Cornwell CW5 7/16 Combination Wrench

Fig. 24. Cornwell CW5 7/16 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 24 at the left shows a Cornwell CW5 7/16 combination wrench, marked "27 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 5.7 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Cornwell CW7 1/2 Combination Wrench

Fig. 25. Cornwell CW7 1/2 Combination Wrench.

Fig. 25 shows a Cornwell CW7 1/2 combination wrench, marked "18 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Cornwell CW9 9/16 Combination Wrench

Fig. 26. Cornwell CW9 9/16 Combination Wrench.

Fig. 26 shows a Cornwell CW9 9/16 combination wrench, marked "35 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 7.7 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

Cornwell CW12 11/16 Combination Wrenches

The next two figures show similar examples of CW12 11/16 combination wrenches, with minor differences in marking and dimensions.

Fig. 27. Cornwell [CW]12 11/16 Combination Wrench, ca. 1935.

Fig. 27 at the left shows an early Cornwell 11/16 combination wrench, stamped "10 Cornwell" and "12" on the shank, with the "12" indicating the later model number CW12.

The overall length is 9.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Fig. 28. Cornwell CW12 11/16 Combination Wrench.

Fig. 28 at the left shows a Cornwell CW12 11/16 combination wrench, marked "10 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 9.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Cornwell CW14 3/4 Combination Wrenches

The next two figures show examples of CW14 3/4 combination wrenches, but with minor differences in marking and dimensions.

Fig. 29. Cornwell [CW]14 3/4 Combination Wrench, ca. 1935.

Fig. 29 at the left shows an early Cornwell 3/4 combination wrench, stamped "10 Cornwell" and "14" on the shank, with the "14" indicating the later CW14 model number.

The overall length is 10.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Fig. 30. Cornwell CW14 3/4 Combination Wrench.

Fig. 30 at the left shows our second example, a Cornwell CW14 3/4 combination wrench marked "10 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Cornwell CW16 13/16 Combination Wrench

Fig. 31. Cornwell CW16 13/16 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 31 shows a Cornwell CW16 13/16 combination wrench, marked "10 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 11.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Cornwell CW1616 1/2 Combination Wrench

In the mid 1950s Cornwell switched to a new model numbering system, with the opening sizes for wrenches encoded in 32nds.

Fig. 32. Cornwell CW1616 1/2 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1955+.

Fig. 32 shows an example of the later model number for a Cornwell CW1616 1/2 combination wrench, stamped "2 Cornwell 0" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 6.7 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Specialty Wrenches

Cornwell AW34 5/16x3/8 Brake Eccentric Wrench

Fig. 33. Cornwell AW34 5/16x3/8 Brake Eccentric Wrench, ca. 1934-1935.

Fig. 33 shows a Cornwell AW34 5/16x3/8 brake wrench, marked "19 Cornwell 34" on the shank, with the "34" indicating an early version of the model AW34 wrench.

The overall length is 8.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This wrench model is listed as a "Brake Eccentric Wrench" in the 1934 catalog No. 16, with the order number shown as 1290. In the following year, catalog No. 17 assigned model number AW34 to this wrench, of which only the numeric part is marked on this example.

Cornwell CWF14 3/4 Combination Flare-Nut Wrench

Fig. 34. Cornwell CWF14 3/4 Combination Flare-Nut Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 34 shows a Cornwell CWF14 3/4 combination flare-nut wrench, marked "12 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 7.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

A review of the Cornwell catalogs indicates that the combination flare CWF- series was introduced sometime after 1948, as these models are not listed in the 1948 catalog.

Sockets and Drive Tools

Cornwell was offering sockets and drive tools by the mid 1920s or earlier, and was one of the earliest tool makers to use alloy steel for sockets. Even more notable, Cornwell was the first company known to use hot-forged production for modern female-drive sockets. A Cornwell catalog from around 1926 offers hot-forged sockets made of chrome molybdenum steel, a combination that gave them a significant lead over the rest of the tool industry.

Cornwell "B" Early 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 35. Cornwell "B" Early 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. 1930.

Fig. 35 shows a rare early 1/2-drive Cornwell flex-head handle, stamped "Cornwell - B" on the shank.

The overall length is 13.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This flex-head breaker bar has some unusual construction features, such as the handle shaped as a 15/16 hex. The hexagonal handle is equipped with both a cross-bar hole and a 1/2-drive end broaching, allowing use as a Tee-handle or an extension (see right inset).

Cornwell "B" 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension

Fig. 36. Cornwell "B" 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 36 shows an early 1/2-drive Cornwell "B" 10 inch extension, stamped "Cornwell - B" on the shank.

The overall length is 10.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Cornwell No. 55 1/2-Drive Gearless Ratchet

Fig. 37. Cornwell No. 55 1/2-Drive Gearless Ratchet, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1926-1934.

Fig. 37 shows an early 1/2-drive Cornwell No. 55 gearless ratchet, with markings "Cornwell" and "Pat. Applied For" forged into the handle.

The overall length is 9.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The patent for this ratchet, if issued, has not yet been found.

The No. 55 ratchet was offered as early as the mid-1920s and remained in production until about 1934. After 1934 the No. 55 model was superseded by the SR2 ratchet with apparently identical specifications.

Cornwell SR4 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 38. Cornwell SR4 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1935+.

Fig. 38 shows a 1/2-drive Cornwell SR4 reversible ratchet, with markings "Cornwell" and "Pat. Applied For" forged into the handle.

The overall length is 9.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The lower inset shows a closeup of the small Ford script marking, located below and to the right of the shift lever. (The mark is obscured by the shift lever in the main photograph.) This mark indicates that the ratchet was probably manufactured for Ford.

The patent for this ratchet has not yet been found.

Cornwell SR-5 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 39. Cornwell SR-5 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Reverse and Side View, ca. 1949-1954.

Fig. 39 shows a 1/2-drive Cornwell SR-5 reversible ratchet, stamped with the company name and model on the head, and with "USA" and "109" on the handle.

The overall length is 9.6 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

The ratchet mechanism uses a 30-tooth drive gear with a pivoting pawl, and the shift lever is loosely coupled to the pawl so that the shifter can remain stationary while the pawl oscillates. This design very similar to the J.H. Williams patent #1,957,462.

Another similarity to the Williams design is the use of a threaded cover plate, as can be seen in the middle inset.

This model was listed in the Cornwell catalog No. 28 of 1952, but a review of the 1948 catalog shows that it was not yet available at that time. By 1955 the catalogs show this ratchet as model number SR-50, apparently the successor number after Cornwell revised their model number system. Based on the catalog information, this particular ratchet was likely made in 1949-1954.

Cornwell SH17 1/2-Drive Speeder

Fig. 40. Cornwell SH17 1/2-Drive Speeder, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 40 shows a 1/2-drive Cornwell SH17 speeder, with markings "29 Cornwell" and "USA" stamped on the shank.

The overall length is 18.7 inches.

Cornwell JR2 3/8-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 41. Cornwell JR2 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1935+.

Fig. 41 shows a 3/8-drive Cornwell JR2 reversible ratchet, marked with just the company name and model number.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Cornwell EP-2-6 3/8-Drive Impact Extension

Fig. 42. Cornwell EP-2-6 3/8-Drive Impact Extension.

Fig. 41 shows a 3/8-drive Cornwell EP-2-6 impact extension, stamped "14 Cornwell" and "USA" on the head.

The overall length is 5.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The drive stud is fitted with a locking pin rather than a detent ball, a feature commonly used for impact tools.

Specialty Tools

Cornwell "Skidmore" 1-1/16 Open-End Preset Torque Wrench

Fig. 43. Cornwell Skidmore 1-1/16 Open-End Preset Torque Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1959-1960.

Fig. 43 shows an unusual Cornwell "Skidmore" preset torque wrench with a 1-1/16 open end, stamped with "Cornwell-Skidmore" and "Pat. Appl. U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 15.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The patent application status refers to patent #2,959,078, filed by R.H Skidmore in 1959 and issued in 1960.

Other Tools

Cornwell AJ-10B 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 44. Cornwell AJ-10B 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 44 shows a Cornwell AJ-10B 10 inch adjustable wrench, stamped with the company name and model number on one side, with "Cornwell - U.S.A." on the reverse. The shank is also marked with a forged-in code "L", seen at the right side of the lower inset.

The overall length is 10.2 inches and the maximum jaw opening is 1.1 inches. The head thickness was measured at 0.58 inches.

The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The top inset shows a side view of the wrench, and a close look shows the square shoulder of the sliding jaw and keyway. The square shoulder indicates that this example was produced for Cornwell by J.H. Williams, and the identification is confirmed by the forged-in "L" code noted above. A similar example can be seen as the Williams AP-8 Adjustable Wrench.

References and Resources

Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in my personal collection.

Catalog Coverage

Product information was obtained from a number of Cornwell catalogs, as summarized in the table below.

Patents and Trademarks

Patent information was obtained from the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO) web site at uspto.gov. Patent documents were obtained from sites offering free downloads, notably freepatentsonline.com.

Feedback

If any readers have additional information about Cornwell, please let us know via the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any page. Your comments and suggestions are welcome as well.