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Herbrand, The Vanguard of Van-Chrome

[Logo from an Early Herbrand Wrench]
Logo from an Early Herbrand Wrench.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Company History

Herbrand was founded in Fremont, Ohio in 1881, but currently not much information is available regarding the company's early operations. A review of patent records suggests that the company was a maker of vehicle springs and suspension systems, as a number of such patents were assigned to the company between 1881 and 1900. One such patent was issued to a Jacob Herbrand of Fremont, Ohio, suggesting that he may have been one of the company's founders.

Ken Cope's book AWM2e reports Herbrand as a maker of shaving razors, but the patent records do not show anything in this area until around 1905. By 1900 Herbrand was making bicycle wrenches and other tools, and the company also produced custom drop-forgings.

As the automobile gained popularity in the early 20th century, Herbrand expanded production of drop-forged tools for automobile tool kits. Tools produced at this time would likely have been marked with the Herbrand H-Diamond logo.

In 1919 Herbrand began using "Van-Chrome" as a trademark for their alloy steel tools. The value of alloy steels for toolmaking was just being recognized at the time, and Herbrand's trademark is the earliest known brand referring to a steel alloy. (Many others would come in later decades.) The earliest Herbrand alloy steel tools were likely its H-1 to H-4 tappet wrench series.

During the 1920s and early 1930s Herbrand developed their line of tools and was a supplier to high-volume retailers such as Western Auto Supply and Montgomery Ward. Western Auto catalogs from the early 1930s list Herbrand tools and mention their brand names "Van-Chrome" and "Multihex".

By the mid 1930s Herbrand had broadened their tool line to include a full range of automotive service tools, including sockets and drive tools, a wide variety of wrenches, pliers, gear pullers, and a large number of specialty tools. This period seems to mark a turn away from the high-volume contract manufacturing of its earlier history, and a focus on the higher end professional market.

Herbrand continued as a full-service independent tool company through the 1940s and 1950s. In the mid to late 1950s Herbrand established a economy line of tools called "Vi-Chrome".

By the 1960s the increasing competition in the tool industry had made it difficult to remain independent, and in 1961 Herbrand was acquired by the Kelsey-Hayes Corporation, an industrial manufacturer. Kelsey-Hayes had previously acquired Utica Tools in 1956, and Herbrand became part of their Utica Tools Division. The parent company built a huge new factory in Spartenburg, South Carolina for the combined Utica-Herbrand manufacturing operations, and a further acquisition in 1964 added Bonney Forge and Tool to the Utica Tools Division.

In 1967 the Utica Tools Division was acquired from Kelsey-Hayes by the Triangle Corporation. Initially all three tool brands remained in production under Triangle, and tools made during this era were marked with a small triangle symbol. Triangle was eventually acquired by Cooper Industries, and at some point the Herbrand line was discontinued.


Patents

Table 1. Herbrand Issued and Licensed Patents
Patent No.InventorFiledIssuedDescriptionExampleNotes
244,599 J. Herbrand01/21/188107/19/1881Running Gear for Vehicles    
356,309 J.J. Fetzer11/03/188601/18/1887Running Gear for Vehicles    
376,795 S. Burdsall et al01/31/188701/24/1888Running Gear for Vehicles    
459,360 J.J. Fetzer01/26/189109/08/1891Fifth Wheel    
492,719 J.J. Fetzer09/08/189202/28/1893Fifth Wheel Coupling for Vehicles    
649,291 J.J. Fetzer07/20/189905/08/1900Body Hanger for Vehicles    
808,603 J.J. Fetzer05/10/190512/26/1905Adjustable Wrench    
819,640 J.J. Fetzer08/12/190505/01/1906Safety Razor    
840,449 J.J. Fetzer07/22/190501/01/1907Safety Razor    
1,709,913 R.A. Kaplan07/15/192704/23/1929Gear Puller Herbrand 832 Gear Puller Licensed Patent
2,182,922 E.A. Heschel03/21/193812/12/1939Method of Forging Sockets    
D158,073 E.A. Heschel01/25/194904/11/1950Ratcheting T-Handle Wrench Herbrand J-9 T-Handle Ratchet  
D163,282 E.A. Heschel01/09/195005/15/1951Motor Stethoscope ["Multiscope"]    

Trademarks

Herbrand filed an application for the "Van-Chrome" trademark in 1929, with the first use date listed as 1919. The registration was issued in 1930.


Tool Identification

Herbrand tools are generally easy to identify, except possibly for some tools made as a contract manufacturer. Most Herbrand tools will be marked with the company name, either in block letters or in script form as a logo, in the latter case with "Fremont, O U.SA." underneath. Tools made for the later Vi-Chrome economy line will be marked "Vi-Chrome USA".

Earlier Herbrand tools were frequently marked with the H-Diamond logo, and the company name may or may not have been marked as well.

Tools made with alloy steels were commonly marked with the well-known "Van-Chrome" trademark, although a substantial number of presumably alloy tools can be found without the trademark. For a while this omission seemed a puzzling anomaly, since most tool companies are very consistent in the use of their trademarks. Recently though, a likely explanation has been found by examination of certain other markings on their tools.

Herbrand tools will occasionally be found with a four-digit number forged into the shank, with "8742" appearing to be the most common combination, but other numbers such as "8640" or "8740" also noted. A search of various sources found that these numbers appear in tables of AISI (or SAE) steel types, and a check of the specific properties of e.g.AISI 8742 steel showed it to be suitable for hand tools. Thus these forged-in numbers are almost certainly an indication of the specific steel used to make the tools. And at least on the examples found so far, the forged-in numbers appear on tools without a Van-Chrome marking.

So how does this relate to the missing Van-Chrome mark? A check of Machinery's Handbook for the composition of AISI 8742 steel showed a medium-carbon triple alloy steel with nickel, chromium, and molybdenum, but no vanadium. (The 8640 and 8740 steels are very similar.) Thus when Herbrand substituted nickel-chrome-moly steel for their standard chrome-vanadium alloy, they apparently felt obliged to omit the trademark that promised vanadium. (One can appreciate the value of trademarks such as Armstrong's Armaloy or Barcalo's Barcaloy that suggest alloyed goodness without a specific composition.)


Manufacturing Dates

Herbrand tools were generally not marked with any type of date code, so the estimation of manufacturing dates must be based on other factors. In this section we'll try to develop guidelines for estimating the manufacturing dates.

The following list of observations may be helpful in determining the manufacturing date for some tools.

  • H-Diamond Logo. This logo was frequently marked on older tools, with likely production in the 1920s or earlier.
  • Van-Chrome Trademark. The Van-Chrome trademark was first used in 1919.
  • Fremont Marking. Herbrand was founded in Fremont, Ohio in 1881 and remained there until 1962.
  • Herbrand Script Logo with "Since 1881". Herbrand tools were frequently marked with a fancy logo showing the Herbrand name in script, with "Fremont, O." and "U.S.A." below. A small number of tools have been found with the "U.S.A." marking replaced by "Since 1881", and the style of these tools places them in the early 1930s. We now believe that the change in markings may have been done just in 1931, in order to mark the 50th anniversary of the company's founding.
  • End Broaching for S-15 Breaker Bars. The handle of the S-15 breaker bar was broached for 1/2-drive from the 1930s to mid 1940s, but the broaching had been discontinued by 1948.
  • Cadmium Plating. Nickel or chrome plating was standard for most Herbrand tools from the mid 1930s onward, but cadmium finishes were substituted during the wartime years 1942-1945.
  • Triangle Marking. Late production under Triangle Tool management (1967 and later) was sometimes marked with a small triangle symbol.

Socket Design

Herbrand produced sockets in three different design styles, and the production dates for these can be estimated based on catalog illustrations. The earliest style is identified by a band of parallel knurled lines around the center and was in production from the early 1930s until around 1943.

The second style used a cross-hatched knurled band instead of the simple parallel knurling of the previous style. This style was produced from about 1944 until sometime in the early to mid 1950s.

The third style dropped the knurled band in favor of a simple polished finish, and this remained in production from the mid 1950s onward.

For all three of the design styles, the socket format and construction remained similar. Herbrand preferred sockets with turned-down bases for the larger sizes and a reduced upper diameter for the smaller sizes.


Early Tools

Open-End Wrenches


23 13/32x1/2 Open-End Wrench

[Herbrand 23 13/32x1/2 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 1A. Herbrand 23 13/32x1/2 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 1A shows a Herbrand 23 13/32x1/2 open-end wrench, stamped with the Herbrand logo on the face, with the industry-standard model number "23" forged into the shank on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The reverse faces are stamped "3/16 U.S.S." and "1/4 U.S.S.", references to the older size convention.


25 1/2x19/32 Open-End Wrench

[Herbrand 25 1/2x19/32 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 1B. Herbrand 25 1/2x19/32 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

733 7/8x1 Open-End Wrench

[Herbrand 25 1/2x19/32 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 2. Herbrand 733 7/8x1 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 2 shows a Herbrand 733 7/8x1 open-end wrench, stamped "Fremont, O. U.S.A." with the Herbrand script logo on the face, and with the the H-Diamond logo forged into the shank.

The overall length is 8.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.


30 11/16x7/8 Open-End Wrenches

[Herbrand 30 11/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 3. Herbrand 30 11/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Insets for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 3 shows an earlier Herbrand model 30 11/16x7/8 open-end wrench, stamped "Fremont, O. U.S.A." with the Herbrand script logo on the face, and with the H-Diamond logo forged into the shank.

The overall length is 7.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The insets show the reverse face markings "3/8 U.S.S." and "1/2 U.S.S.", references to the older U.S.S. size convention.

[Herbrand 30 11/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 4. Herbrand 30 11/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 4 shows a later Herbrand model 30 11/16x7/8 open-end wrench, stamped "Fremont, O. U.S.A." with the Herbrand script logo on the face.


37 1-1/4x1-7/16 Open-End Wrench

[Herbrand 37 1-1/4x1-7/16 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 5. Herbrand 37 1-1/4x1-7/16 Open-End Wrench.

DDL124 1-1/4 Check-Nut Wrench

[Herbrand DDL124 1-1/4 Check-Nut Wrench]
Fig. 6. Herbrand DDL124 1-1/4 Check-Nut Wrench.

Fig. 6 at the left shows a Herbrand DDL124 1-1/4 check-nut single-open wrench, marked with the Herbrand script logo on the face, and with the H-Diamond logo on the shank.

The overall length is 10.0 inches.


949 1-1/4 Check-Nut Wrench

[Herbrand 949 1-1/4 Check-Nut Wrench]
Fig. 7. Herbrand 949 1-1/4 Check-Nut Wrench.

Fig. 7 shows a very similar wrench, a Herbrand 949 1-1/4 check-nut single open wrench with the H-Diamond logo on the shank.

The overall length is 10.1 inches.


13/16x7/8 S-Shaped Wrench

[Herbrand Early 13/16x7/8 S-Shaped Wrench]
Fig. 8. Herbrand Early 13/16x7/8 S-Shaped Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 8 at the left shows an early Herbrand 13/16x7/8 S-shaped open-end wrench, marked with the H-Diamond logo forged into the shank. The reverse has a number forged into the shank, possibly "834" but difficult to read.

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


Spark-Plug Wrenches


8323 Early 1 Inch Offset Open-End Wrench

[Herbrand 8323 Early 1 Inch Spark Plug Wrench]
Fig. 9A. Herbrand 8323 Early 1 Inch Spark Plug Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 9A shows a very rare early Herbrand 8323 1 inch offset open-end wrench, marked with the model number and the H-Diamond logo forged into the shank.

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

Currently we don't have a catalog reference for this model, but it is believed to have been a spark plug wrench.


Early 9/16x15/16 Open-Box Spark Plug Wrench

[Herbrand 9/16x15/16 Open-Box Spark Plug Wrench]
Fig. 9B. Herbrand 9/16x15/16 Open-Box Spark Plug Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1920.

Fig. 9B shows a very rare early Herbrand 9/16x15/16 open-box wrench, marked with a previously unknown form of the Herbrand Fremont logo. The markings are forged into the shank and include the text "Herbrand Co." and "Fremont, O." arranged in an oval around the H-Diamond logo.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Although this wrench is not marked with a model number, an early Herbrand catalog page shows a very similar tool as a No. 993A spark plug wrench. The No. 993A wrench has the same distinctive forged shape and length, but with the open end sized at 11/16 instead of 9/16.

The catalog notes that the wrench was "... designed for convenient service about automobiles, motor boats, gas engines and [...] for flush or depressed plugs."


2334 Spark Plug Wrench

[Herbrand 2334 Wrench]
Fig. 10. Herbrand 2334 Wrench, with Insets for Reverse Detail.
[Label from Box of Herbrand 2334 Wrenches]
Fig. 11. Label for Herbrand 2334 Wrenches, ca. 1925.

2336 Spark Plug Wrench

[Herbrand 2336 Spark Plug Wrench]
Fig. 12. Herbrand 2336 Spark Plug Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Detail.

Fig. 12 shows a Herbrand 2336 15/16 open-end and 5/8 socket wrench, designed for Ford model T spark plug and engine service. The wrench is marked "Fremont, O. U.S.A." with the Herbrand script logo, and a somewhat muddled H-Diamond logo appears at the left of the forged-in model number.

The overall length is 12.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This wrench is listed in an early Herbrand catalog as a "Ford No. 4 Connecting Rod, Cylinder Head and Spark Plug Wrench", and the description goes on to itemize some of the additional applications for this tool. The distinctive bend in the shank was designed for clearance when servicing the notorious fourth connecting rod.


19/32 Square Main Bearing Socket Wrench

[Herbrand 19/32 Square Main Bearing Socket Wrench]
Fig. 13. Herbrand 19/32 Square Main Bearing Socket Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1916-1920.

Fig. 13 shows a rare early Herbrand 19/32 square socket wrench, believed to be intended for Model T main bearing service. The wrench is stamped "Fremont, O. U.S.A." with the Herbrand script logo, as shown in the lower right inset.

The overall length is 13.5 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.


905-A 13/16 Single-Open Spud Wrench

[Herbrand 13/16 Single-Open Spud Wrench]
Fig. 14. Herbrand 13/16 Single-Open Spud Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 14 shows a Herbrand 905-A 13/16 single-open wrench with a spud handle, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the handle.

The overall length is 13.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of black paint.

A faint forged-in number "1038" (inverted in the photograph) can be seen on the handle just before the offset. This is a reference to AISI 1038 steel, a medium-carbon steel with some manganese content.

This type of "spud handle" wrench is frequently used for construction jobs such as steel erection, when the pointed handle is useful for lining up holes.


Pliers and Adjustable Wrenches

Slip-Joint Pliers

[Herbrand Slip-Joint Pliers]
Fig. 15. Herbrand Slip-Joint Pliers, with Insets for Handle Pattern and Logo.

The overall length is 6.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The lower inset shows the only marking on the tool, the H-Diamond logo on the underside of the handles.


7 Inch Auto Wrenches

The next two figures show examples of Herbrand adjustable auto wrenches.

[Herbrand 7 Inch Auto Wrench]
Fig. 16. Herbrand 7 Inch Auto Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 16 shows an earlier Herbrand 7 inch auto wrench, stamped with the Herbrand script logo and "Fremont, O. U.S.A." on the shank, with the H-Diamond logo forged into the reverse.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.8 inches. The original finish was nickel plating, but much has been lost due to rust.

The inset shows a closeup of the H-Diamond logo on the reverse shank, although pitted from the extensive rust. (The wrench was electrolytically de-rusted for display.)

[Herbrand 7 Inch Auto Wrench]
Fig. 17. Herbrand 7 Inch Auto Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 17 shows a Herbrand 7 inch auto wrench, marked with the Herbrand script logo and "Fremont, O. U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.8 inches. The finish is plain steel.


Van-Chrome and the Rise of Alloy Steels

In 1929 Herbrand filed a registration for their "Van-Chrome" trademark, with the first use date listed as 1919. Although we don't have any catalogs or advertisements to show their earliest tools, the 1919 date would make it the earliest known trademark denoting alloy steel in hand tools.

Herbrand's first alloy-steel tools were probably tappet wrenches, as these tools exposed the inadequacy of carbon-steel for this application.


Tappet Wrenches

Tappet wrenches were one of the earliest tools to employ alloy steels, as the thin profile of the wrench demanded the strongest possible steel.


H-1 Tappet Wrench

[Herbrand H-1 7/16x17/32 Vanadium Tappet Wrench]
Fig. 18. Herbrand H-1 7/16x17/32 Vanadium Tappet Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 18 shows a Herbrand H-1 7/16x17/32 tappet wrench, marked "Vanadium Tappet" with "Fremont, O. U.S.A." in the Herbrand script logo.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.


H-2 Tappet Wrench

[Herbrand H-2 1/2x9/16 Vanadium Tappet Wrench]
Fig. 19. Herbrand H-2 1/2x9/16 Vanadium Tappet Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 19 shows a Herbrand H-2 1/2x9/16 tappet wrench, marked "Vanadium Tappet" with "Fremont, O. U.S.A." in the Herbrand script logo. The overall length is 7.9 inches.

The finish of this wrench is plain steel.


H-4 Tappet Wrenches

[Herbrand H-4 3/4x7/8 Tappet Wrenches]
Fig. 20. Herbrand H-4 3/4x7/8 Tappet Wrenches.

Fig. 20 presents two generations of the Herbrand H-4 3/4x7/8 tappet wrench. The bottom wrench is the older model, marked "Vanadium Tappet" with the Herbrand script logo and "Fremont, O. U.S.A." below. The finish of this wrench is plain steel.

The top wrench is marked "Herbrand Tappet" with "Made in U.S.A", and is finished in nickel plate. Both wrenches have an overall length of 9.0 inches.

You may have noticed that the top wrench isn't marked "Vanadium" or "Van-Chrome", and possibly wondered about the omission. The explanation appears on the reverse (although in coded form), where the number "8640" is forged in raised letters.

The "8640" mark indicates that the wrench was forged from AISI 8640 steel, a medium-hardening alloy with nickel, chromium, and molybdenum, but no vanadium. This was an equivalent or superior steel for the application, but without the vanadium content, Herbrand felt obliged to change their marking.


H-5 Tappet Wrench

The Herbrand H-1 through H-4 tappet wrench models are well-known and fairly common, but the company also produced a model H-5 5/8x7/8 tappet wrench that is only rarely seen.

[Herbrand H-5 5/8x7/8 Tappet Wrench]
Fig. 21. Herbrand H-5 5/8x7/8 Tappet Wrench.

Fig. 21 shows an example of the rare Herbrand H-5 tappet wrench, marked "Vanadium Tappet" with "Fremont, O. U.S.A." and the Herbrand script logo. The wrench sizes are marked as 5/8 and 7/8 on the reverse, though unfortunately a previous owner has widened the 7/8 opening for some other purpose.

The overall length is 9.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.


T-21 Tappet Wrench

Herbrand later developed a new style of tappet wrench featuring a raised rib running the length of the handle.

[Herbrand T-21 7/16x1/2 Tappet Wrench]
Fig. 22. Herbrand T-21 7/16x1/2 Tappet Wrench.

Fig. 22 shows an example (the smallest) of this series, a Herbrand T-21 7/16x1/2 tappet wrench marked "Van Chrome" and "Made in U.S.A." on the raised rib. The overall length is 9.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and ribs.


T-22 Tappet Wrench

[Herbrand T-22 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench]
Fig. 23. Herbrand T-22 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench.

Fig. 23 shows a Herbrand T-22 1/2x9/16 tappet wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." on the raised rib. The overall length is 9.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and ribs.


T-23 Tappet Wrench

[Herbrand T-23 5/8x11/16 Tappet Wrench]
Fig. 24. Herbrand T-23 5/8x11/16 Tappet Wrench.

Fig. 24 shows a Herbrand T-23 5/8x11/16 tappet wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." on the raised rib.

The overall length is 9.4 inches, and the finish is nickel plate with polished faces and ribs.


T-24 Tappet Wrench

[Herbrand T-24 3/4x7/8 Tappet Wrench]
Fig. 25. Herbrand T-24 3/4x7/8 Tappet Wrench.

Fig. 25 shows a Herbrand T-24 3/4x7/8 tappet wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." on the raised rib.

The overall length is 9.4 inches, and the finish is nickel plate with polished faces and ribs.


Open-End Wrenches


1723 Open-End Wrench

[Herbrand 1723 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 26. Herbrand 1723 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 26 shows a Herbrand 1723 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench, with the Herbrand script logo on one face and "Van Chrome" in raised letters on the handle.

The overall length is 5.0 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.


1727 Open-End Wrench

[Herbrand 1727 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 28A. Herbrand 1727 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 28A shows a Herbrand 1727 9/16x5/8 open-end wrench, with the Herbrand script logo on one face and "Van-Chrome" in raised letters on the handle.

The overall length is 7.1 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.


1731-A Open-End Wrench

[Herbrand 1731-A 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 28B. Herbrand 1731-A 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 28B shows a Herbrand 1731-A 3/4x7/8 open-end wrench, stamped "Fremont, O. U.S.A." with the Herbrand script logo on the face, with "Van Chrome" forged into the shank.

The overall length is 9.3 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished faces.


1025 Open-End Wrench

[Herbrand 1025 1/2x19/32 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 29. Herbrand 1025 1/2x19/32 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 29 shows a Herbrand 1025 1/2x19/32 open-end wrench, with "Made in U.S.A." and the "Van-Chrome" trademark stamped on the shank.

The overall length is 6.3 inches.


1725 Open-End Wrench with 8742 Steel

Our next figure shows an example of a forged-in marking indicating the particular triple-alloy steel used for the tool.

[Herbrand 1725 7/16x1/2 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 31. Herbrand 1725 7/16x1/2 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 31 shows a Herbrand 1725 7/16x1/2 open-end wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A.", but without a Van-Chrome trademark.

The overall length is 6.3 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished faces.

The inset shows the forged-in "8742" indicating the use of AISI 8742 steel, a nickel-chrome-molybdenum alloy.


1731B Open-End Wrench with 8742 Steel

[Herbrand 1731B 13/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 31B. Herbrand 1731B 13/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 31B shows a Herbrand 1731 13/16x7/8 open-end wrench, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 9.3 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished faces.

The inset shows the forged-in "8742" code on the reverse, though it's very faint and difficult to read. This code indicates the use of AISI 8742 steel, a nickel-chrome-molybdenum alloy.


1723 Open-End Wrench with AISI 1340 Steel

During the wartime years of 1942-1945, material shortages sometimes forced changes in the finish or composition of tools. Changes to the finish usually meant substitution of cadmium for the standard nickel or chrome plating, and so were obvious on inspection. But when the tool steel itself had to be changed, Herbrand was unusually forthright by noting the specific alloy used.

[Herbrand 1723 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 32A. Herbrand 1723 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench with AISI 1340 Steel, ca. 1942-1945.

An example of such a change is shown in Fig. 32A, a Herbrand 1723 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench marked "Made in U.S.A." with a forged-in number 1340, indicating the use of AISI 1340 steel.

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

AISI 1340 steel is a carbon-manganese alloy with good hardening properties, and is a standard substitute for chrome alloys if the latter are unavailable or too expensive.


1731-B Open-End Wrench with 1340 Steel

[Herbrand 1731-B 13/16x7/18 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 32B. Herbrand 1731-B 13/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1942-1945.

In Fig. 32B we see a Herbrand 1731-B 7/16x1/2 open-end wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." with a forged-in "1340" on the reverse, and without a Van-Chrome trademark. The overall length is 9.4 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating over a rough forged surface.

The inset shows the forged-in number "1340", indicating the use of AISI 1340 steel, a carbon-manganese steel with good hardening properties.

As we saw previously in a Herbrand 1723 Wrench, AISI 1340 steel was sometimes used as a substitute for chrome alloy steel. The cadmium finish and substitute steel indicate a likely manufacturing date from 1942-1945.


1423 Open-End Wrench with Panelled Shank

[Herbrand 1423 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench]
Fig. 33B. Herbrand 1423 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 33B shows a Herbrand 1423 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench, marked "Van-Chrome" with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plate.


Obstruction Wrenches

Obstruction wrenches are a specialized form of open-end wrench designed for improved access to restricted spaces. Typically the wrench openings are offset at large angles from the shank axis, but the particular design varied from company to company. Herbrand's design used two openings of the same size, with one opening at a 90-degree offset and the other at 45 degrees. (Some examples of alternate obstruction wrench styles can be seen in the Bonney 2031 Obstruction Wrench or Williams 2028S Obstruction Wrench.)

Herbrand produced these wrenches in an 18xx model number series, with six sizes ranging from the model 1821 (3/8) up to 1831 (3/4). Our earliest catalog reference for the wrenches is the 1932 Western Auto catalog, which lists all six of the obstruction wrenches, as well as other Herbrand wrenches. The catalog text doesn't mention Herbrand by name, but the illustration clearly shows the Herbrand script logo. It's likely that the obstruction wrenches were available by the late 1920s, although currently we have no Herbrand catalog coverage for that time.


1827 Obstruction Wrenches

[Herbrand Van-Chrome 1827 9/16x9/16 Obstruction Wrench]
Fig. 34. Herbrand Van-Chrome 1827 9/16x9/16 Obstruction Wrench.

Our first example of the obstruction series is shown in Fig. 34, a Herbrand 1827 9/16x9/16 obstruction wrench with "Van-Chrome" forged into the shank, and with the Herbrand script logo on the face. The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished faces.

The forged "Van-Chrome" mark indicates that this is likely an early example of this model, possibly dating to the late 1920s.

[Herbrand 1827 9/16x9/16 Obstruction Wrench]
Fig. 34B. Herbrand 1827 9/16x9/16 Obstruction Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 34B shows another Herbrand 1827 obstruction wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." but without the Van-Chrome trademark.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished faces.

The inset shows the forged number "8742" appearing on the reverse, indicating the use of AISI 8742 steel, an alloy with nickel, chromium, and molybdenum.


Ignition Wrenches


No. 85 Ignition Wrench

[Herbrand Van-Chrome No. 85 9/32x1/4 Ignition Wrench]
Fig. 35. Herbrand Van-Chrome No. 85 9/32x1/4 Obstruction Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 35 shows a Herbrand No. 85 9/32x1/4 ignition wrench with a panelled shank, stamped with the Herbrand name and model on one side, with "Van-Chrome" and the fractional sizes on the reverse.

The overall length is 3.5 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished faces.


Box-End Wrenches

Herbrand probably began producing double-hex (12-point) box-end wrenches in the late 1920s, but currently we don't have catalog resources to document this period. Our earliest catalog reference for these tools is a 1932 Western Auto Supply catalog, which offered Herbrand "Multihex" box wrenches in angled and offset styles. The "Multihex" mark was intended to signify the double-hex broached openings, which allowed better access in tight places.

We'll begin this section with some early examples of "Multihex" offset box wrenches.


3723 "Van-Chrome Multihex" Offset Box Wrench

[Herbrand 3723 3/8x7/16 Multihex Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 36. Herbrand 3723 3/8x7/16 Multihex Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Detail, ca. early 1930s.

Fig. 36 shows an early Herbrand 3723 3/8x7/16 offset box-end wrench, marked "Van-Chrome" and "Multihex" with the Herbrand script logo, and with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 8.5 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.

The top inset shows a side view of the wrench, illustrating the deep offset of this design.

The middle inset shows a close-up of the Herbrand script logo, and the text "Fremont, O" and "Since 1881" can be seen if the photograph is enlarged. This is a variant of the usual "Fremont, O. U.S.A." marking, and is believed to be an early form.


3729A "Van-Chrome Multihex" Offset Box Wrench

[Herbrand 3729A 3/4x25/32 Multihex Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 37. Herbrand 3729A 3/4x25/32 Multihex Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Detail, ca. early 1930s.

Fig. 37 shows an early Herbrand 3729A 3/4x25/32 offset box-end wrench, stamped "Van-Chrome" and "Multihex" with the Herbrand script logo, and with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 11.2 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.

The top inset shows a side view of the wrench, illustrating the deep offset of this design.

As with the previous example, the Herbrand script logo includes the text "Fremont, O" and "Since 1881", an early form of the logo.


3731B "Van-Chrome Multihex" Offset Box Wrench

[Herbrand 3731B 13/16x7/8 Multihex Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 38. Herbrand 3731B 13/16x7/8 Multihex Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Detail, ca. early 1930s.

Fig. 38 shows an early Herbrand 3731B 13/16x7/8 offset box-end wrench, stamped "Van-Chrome" and "Multihex" with the Herbrand script logo, and with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 12.7 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.

The top inset shows a side view of the wrench, illustrating the deep offset of this design.

As with the previous examples, the Herbrand script logo includes the text "Fremont, O" and "Since 1881", an early form of the logo.


3725B Offset Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 3725B 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 39. Herbrand 3725B 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 39 shows a somewhat later Herbrand 3725B 1/2x9/16 offset box-end wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." on the oval-shaped shank. (Note that the "Van-Chrome" and "Multihex" brands are not marked on this tool.)

The overall length is 9.2 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The inset shows a profile view of the wrench with its deep offset design.


3733C Offset Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 3733C 15/16x1 Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 40. Herbrand 3733C 15/16x1 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 40 shows a Herbrand 3733C 15/16x1 offset box-end wrench, marked "Made in USA" on the oval-shaped shank.

The overall length is 14.8 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.


4723 "Van-Chrome Multihex" Short Offset Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 4723 3/8x7/16 Multihex Short Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 41. Herbrand 4723 3/8x7/16 Multihex Short Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 41 shows a Herbrand 4723 3/8x7/16 offset box-end wrench, marked "Van-Chrome Multihex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.8 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.

The top inset shows a profile view of the wrench, to illustrate the deep offset design and the details of the forging.


4725B "Van-Chrome Multihex" Short Offset Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 4725B 1/2x9/16 Multihex Short Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 42. Herbrand 4725B 1/2x9/16 Multihex Short Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 42 shows a similar Herbrand 4725B 1/2x9/16 offset box-end wrench, marked "Van-Chrome Multihex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 5.6 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.

The top inset shows a profile view of the wrench, to illustrate the deep offset design and the details of the forging.


6723 "Van-Chrome Multihex" Short Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 6723 3/8x7/16 Short Multihex Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 43. Herbrand 6723 3/8x7/16 Short Multihex Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 43 shows a Herbrand 6723 3/8x7/16 box-end wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." with "Van-Chrome Multihex" on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.0 inches.


6725B "Van-Chrome Multihex" Short Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 6725B 1/2x9/16 Short Multihex Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 44. Herbrand 6725B 1/2x9/16 Short Multihex Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 44 shows a Herbrand 6725B 1/2x9/16 box-end wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." with "Van-Chrome Multihex" on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.6 inches.


6727A "Van-Chrome Multihex" Short Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 6727A 5/8x11/16 Multihex Short Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 45. Herbrand 6727A 5/8x11/16 Multihex Short Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 45 shows a Herbrand 6727A 5/8x11/16 box-end wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." with "Van-Chrome Multihex" on the reverse.

The overall length is 5.1 inches.


5727 "Angular Multihex" Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 5727 9/16x5/8 Angular Multihex Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 46. Herbrand 5727 9/16x5/8 Angular Multihex Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 46 shows a Herbrand 5727 9/16x5/8 "Angular Multihex" box-end wrench, marked "Van-Chrome" and "Made in U.S.A.", with "Angular Multihex" on the reverse.

The overall length is 9.1 inches.


5729 "Angular Multihex" Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 5729 11/16x25/32 Angular Multihex Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 47. Herbrand 5729 11/16x25/32 Angular Multihex Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 47 shows a Herbrand 5729 11/16x25/32 "Angular Multihex" box-end wrench, marked "Van-Chrome and "Made in U.S.A.", with "Angular Multihex" on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel with no trace of plating.


5731-A "Angular Multihex" Box-End Wrenches

The next figures show two generations of the Herbrand 5731-A Multihex wrench.

[Herbrand 5731-A 3/4x7/8 Angular Multihex Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 48. Herbrand 5731-A 3/4x7/8 Angular Multihex Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 48 at the left shows a Herbrand 5731-A 3/4x7/8 "Angular Multihex" box-end wrench, marked "Van-Chrome and "Made in U.S.A.", with "Angular Multihex" on the reverse.

The overall length is 11.3 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

[Herbrand 5731-A 3/4x7/8 Box-End Wrench with 8742 Steel]
Fig. 49. Herbrand 5731-A 3/4x7/8 Box-End Wrench with 8742 Steel, ca. 1942-1943.

Fig. 49 at the left shows a later Herbrand 5731-A 3/4x7/8 box-end wrench, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the shank. A forged-in number "8742" can be seen near the righthand box end.

The overall length is 11.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel with a rough-forged surface.

The "8742" code forged into the shank indicates the use of AISI 8742 steel, a nickel, chromium, and molybdenum alloy frequently used by Herbrand. (In fact, the 1941 Herbrand catalog listing for this model notes the use of chrome-molybdenum steel.)

Although this wrench is not marked "Angular Multihex", the design and construction are the same as the previous example, and the 1941 catalog still refers to these as Multihex box wrenches. The rough, unplated finish of this example, together with marking differences and use of the 8742 alloy, suggest a manufacturing date in 1942 or 1943.


3929 "Ultra-Box" Offset Box-End Wrench

The next several figures show examples of the Herbrand 39xx series of offset box wrenches, a distinctive panelled design called "Ultra-Box" wrenches in the catalogs. A catalog search found these models listed in the 1935 Herbrand catalog, but not yet offered among the Herbrand tools in the 1935-36 Thorsen catalog, so the Ultra-Box wrenches were likely introduced in 1935. (Third-party catalogs may be updated more slowly than the manufacturer's own publications.) The standard finish was nickel plating at that time, but by 1941 the finish was chrome plating over nickel.

The raised panel design used on these wrenches (and other models) was apparently patented by Herbrand, based on the claims in their catalogs, but the (design) patent hasn't been located yet.

[Herbrand 3929 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 50. Herbrand 3929 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1935-1940.

Our first example is shown in Fig. 50, a Herbrand 3929 5/8x11/16 offset box-end wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." on the raised panel. (The markings are only partially struck due to a ground-down edge on the panel, but it appears to have happened at the factory, as the plated finish is intact.)

The overall length is 9.7 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished faces and ends.

The inset shows the small "8742" number forged into the reverse side, which indicates the use of AISI 8742 steel. This alloy steel contains nickel, chromium, and molybdenum, but no vanadium, and Herbrand has accordingly omitted the Van-Chrome trademark.

The nickel finish indicates an earlier production date.


3931 Offset Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 3931 3/4x13/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 51. Herbrand 3931 3/4x13/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 51 shows a Herbrand 3931 3/4x13/16 offset box-end wrench, marked "Van-Chrome" on a raised panel with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.9 inches.

The finish is chrome plating, now worn through in many areas to reveal the copper underplating.


3933 Offset Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 3933 7/8x15/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 52. Herbrand 3933 7/8x15/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1935-1940.

Fig. 52 shows a Herbrand 3933 7/8x15/16 offset box-end wrench with raised panels, marked "Van-Chrome" and "Made in U.S.A." with the Herbrand name in script. (There are no markings on the reverse.) The overall length is 13.4 inches.

The finish is nickel plating, with some finish loss due to rust.

A small forged-in number "17" appears near the left box end, though it's difficult to see in the photograph. This number has been noted on other Herbrand tools as well, and may be another specification for the steel type; however, the interpretation is unknown at this time.


3935 Offset Box-End Wrench

Our next figure shows another example of the 393x series, similar to the previous figures but without the raised panels on the shank. (According to the catalogs, the larger models in the 39xx series were not offered in the panelled design.)

[Herbrand 3935 1x1-1/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 53. Herbrand 3935 1x1-1/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 53 shows a Herbrand 3935 1x1-1/16 offset box-end wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." with "Van-Chrome" on the reverse. The overall length is 15.8 inches.

The finish is chrome plating with polished ends.


4625 Offset Box-End Hex Wrench

[Herbrand 4625 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Hex Wrench]
Fig. 54. Herbrand 4625 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Hex Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 54 shows a Herbrand 4625 1/2x9/16 offset box-end wrench with hex (6-point) broachings, marked "Van Chrome" with the Herbrand script on the raised panel, with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse panel.

The overall length is 5.6 inches, and the finish is black oxide.


6923 Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 6923 3/8x7/16 Box-End Wrench]
Fig. 55. Herbrand 6923 3/8x7/16 Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 55 shows a Herbrand 6923 3/8x7/16 box-end wrench marked "Made in U.S.A." on the raised panel.

The overall length is 4.4 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished panels and ends.

This wrench is not marked with the "Van-Chrome" trademark, but does show a forged-in number "8642" indicating the use of AISI 8642 steel. The 8642 steel is an alloy of nickel, chromium, and molybdenum with a slightly higher carbon content than the 8640 steel noted on other tools.


"Obstructo" S-Shaped Box-End Wrenches

[Herbrand S-Shaped Obstructo Box-End Wrenches]
Fig. 56. Herbrand 77xx "Obstructo" S-Shaped Box-End Wrenches.

7725-B "Obstructo" S-Shaped Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 7275-B 1/2x9/16 S-Shaped Box Wrench]
Fig. 57. Herbrand 7725-B 1/2x9/16 S-Shaped Box Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 57 shows a Herbrand 7725-B 1/2x9/16 "Obstructo" S-shaped box wrench, marked "Van-Chrome" and "Made in U.S.A." on the front, with "Obstructo Box Wrench" on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.1 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.


7727 "Obstructo" S-Shaped Box-End Wrench

[Herbrand 7727 9/16x5/8 S-Shaped Box Wrench]
Fig. 58. Herbrand 7727 9/16x5/8 S-Shaped Box Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 58 shows a Herbrand 7727 9/16x5/8 "Obstructo" S-shaped box wrench, marked "Van-Chrome" and "Made in U.S.A." on the front, with "Obstructo Box Wrench" on the reverse.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.


7729 "Obstructo" S-Shaped Box-End Wrench

Fig. 59 shows a Herbrand 7729 11/16x25/32 "Obstructo" S-shaped box wrench, marked "Van-Chrome" and "Made in U.S.A." on the front, with "Obstructo Box Wrench" on the reverse.

[Herbrand 7729 11/16x25/32 S-Shaped Box Wrench]
Fig. 59. Herbrand 7729 11/16x25/32 S-Shaped Box Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

The overall length is 9.1 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with polished ends.


Flex-Box Wrenches


6825 Flex-Box Socket Wrench

[Herbrand 6825 1/2x9/16 Flex-Box Wrench]
Fig. 60. Herbrand 6825 1/2x9/16 Flex-Box Socket Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 60 shows a Herbrand 6825 "Flex-Box" 1/2x9/16 double-flex socket wrench, marked "Van-Chrome" and "Made in U.S.A.", with "Flex-Box" on the reverse. The overall length (extended) is 8.8 inches.

The finish is polished nickel.


6827 Flex-Box Socket Wrench

[Herbrand 6827 5/8x3/4 Flex-Box Wrench]
Fig. 61. Herbrand 6827 5/8x3/4 Flex-Box Socket Wrench, with Inset for Reverse, ca. 1930-1934.

Fig. 61 below shows an early example of the Herbrand "Flex-Box" double-flex socket wrench, the model 6827 with size 5/8x3/4. The wrench is marked "Made in U.S.A." with "Flex-Box" on the reverse, and the overall length is 9.2 inches.

This wrench is a former Tool of the Week, and more information is available in that article.


Combination Wrenches

The modern combination wrench with open and box ends was first developed in the 1930s, and quickly became one of the most popular wrench styles. Although most manufacturers agreed on a 15-degree offset angle for both ends, Herbrand used a slightly different design, keeping the 15-degree offset for the box end but using a 22.5 degree offset for the open end. This larger offset angle, together with the relatively short length and panelled handles, gave their combination wrenches a distinctive appearance.

In keeping with the different design, Herbrand also gave their wrenches a different name, calling them "Multitype" instead of "Combination". The wrenches proved to be popular and remained in production from the early 1930s until at least the mid 1950s. Later versions of the wrenches were given sharply defined depressed panels instead of the smooth depression of the early models.

Eventually this design was phased out in favor of a more conventional series of combination wrenches, which received the same model numbers but with an appended "N" code. (For "normal" perhaps?)


Van-Chrome 1220 "Multitype" Combination Wrench

[Herbrand Van-Chrome 1220 5/8 Combination Wrench]
Fig. 62. Herbrand Van-Chrome 1220 5/8 "Multitype" Combination Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 62 shows a Herbrand 1220 5/8 combination wrench of the "Multitype" style, stamped "Van-Chrome" on the panelled shank, with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 6.5 inches. The original finish was nickel plating, but much has been lost due to wear and rust.


Van-Chrome 1228 "Multitype" Combination Wrench

[Herbrand 1228 7/8 Combination Wrench]
Fig. 63. Herbrand 1228 7/8 "Multitype" Combination Wrench, with Inset for Reverse, ca. 1942-1945.

Fig. 63 shows a Herbrand 1228 7/8 "Multitype" combination wrench, stamped "Van-Chrome" with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.4 inches. The finish of this wrench is cadmium plating, which likely indicates production during the 1942-1945 period.


1218 "Multitype" Combination Wrench With 8742 Steel

[Herbrand 1218 9/16 Combination Wrench]
Fig. 64. Herbrand 1218 9/16 "Multitype" Combination Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 64 shows a Herbrand 1218 9/16 combination wrench of the "Multitype" style, marked "Made in U.S.A." on the panelled handle.

The overall length is 6.0 inches.

Although this particular wrench is not marked with their "Van-Chrome" trademark, all of the Herbrand Multitype wrenches are believed to have been made from alloy steel. Some examples are in fact marked Van-Chrome, and an explanation for the marking differences has been found recently.

The reverse of this wrench (not shown) has a small forged-in marking "8742", which has been identified as referring to AISI 8742 steel, a nickel-chrome-moly triple alloy. Such a steel would have been an equivalent or superior substitute for the typical chrome-vanadium alloy, but with no vanadium in use, Herbrand omitted the Van-Chrome marking.


1222 "Multitype" Combination Wrench With 8742 Steel

[Herbrand 1222 11/16 Combination Wrench]
Fig. 65. Herbrand 1222 11/16 "Multitype" Combination Wrench.

Fig. 65 shows another example of a "Multitype" combination wrench with 8742 steel, a Herbrand 1222 11/16 combination wrench marked "Made in U.S.A." on the panelled handle.

The overall length is 7.0 inches. The finish is now plain steel with polished faces, but the wrench may have had a plated finish originally.

As with the previous example, the wrench is not marked with the Herbrand "Van-Chrome" trademark, but in this case the forged-in "8742" code appears next to the box end. With the use of AISI 8742 nickel chrome molybdenum steel, Herbrand has omitted the "Van-Chrome" marking.


1220 "Multitype" Combination Wrench, Later Version

Later versions of the multitype wrenches were made with sharply-defined depressed panels, rather than the shallow depressions of the early models. The later wrenches also had a plated chrome finish instead of the earlier satin nickel, but it's not known whether these changes were made at the same time.

[Herbrand 1220 5/8 Multitype Combination Wrench]
Fig. 66. Herbrand 1220 5/8 "Multitype" Combination Wrench.

Fig. 66 at the left shows a Herbrand 1220 5/8 "Multitype" combination wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." on the panelled handle in the later style.

The overall length is 6.5 inches. The wrench is finished in chrome plating with polished ends.

Note that the depressed panel in the handle has a well-defined outline with steep walls; compare this with the shallow depression shown in the previous figures.


1232 "Multitype" Combination Wrench, Later Version

[Herbrand 1232 1 Inch Multitype Combination Wrench]
Fig. 67. Herbrand 1232 1 Inch "Multitype" Combination Wrench.

Fig. 67 at the left shows another example of a later model multitype wrench, a Herbrand 1232 1 inch wrench with "Made in U.S.A." on the panelled handle.

The overall length is 14.5 inches. The wrench is finished in chrome plating with polished ends.


1209-M Metric Combination Wrench

Herbrand also produced metric sized wrenches using the Multitype design.

[Herbrand 1209-M 9mm Multitype Combination Wrench]
Fig. 68. Herbrand 1209-M 9mm "Multitype" Combination Wrench.

Fig. 68 shows a Herbrand 1209-M 9mm combination wrench, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the panelled handle.

The overall length is 4.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.


1224SH Combination Wrench

Herbrand redesigned its combination wrenches in the 1950s and adopted the familiar standard 15 degree angles for both ends. The new design also featured a V-shaped gullet for the open end, and the wrenches were given a full-polish finish. The model numbers remained in the 12xx series, but with an appended code to indicate the new style: N for standard, L for long, S for short, and H for a 6-point (hex) broaching.

[Herbrand 1224SH 3/4 Short Combination Wrench]
Fig. 69. Herbrand 1224SH 3/4 Short Combination Wrench.

Fig. 69 at the left shows an example of the new style, a Herbrand 1224SH 3/4 short combination wrench with a 6-point broaching. The wrench is marked "Van Chrome" with the Herbrand script logo, with "Made in U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.


1218LH Combination Wrench

[Herbrand 1218LH 9/16 Long Combination Wrench]
Fig. 70. Herbrand 1218LH 9/16 Long Combination Wrench.

Another example of the later style is shown in Fig. 70, a Herbrand 1218LH 9/16 long-format combination wrench with a 6-point broaching. The wrench is marked "Van Chrome" with the Herbrand script logo, with "Made in U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 8.3 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.


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