Cornwell Quality Tools Company [Page 2]

Sockets and Drive Tools

Cornwell was offering sockets and drive tools by around 1926 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.

Examples of Cornwell's earliest socket tools can be found in the section on Early Socket and Drive Tools. In this section we'll look at examples produced from about 1935 onward.

Cornwell SR-2 1/2-Drive Gearless Ratchet

Fig. 79. Cornwell SR2 1/2-Drive Gearless Ratchet, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1935+.

Fig. 79 shows a 1/2-drive Cornwell SR-2 gearless ratchet and drive plug, marked with "SR-2 Cornwell" and "Pat. Applied For" forged into the shank.

The overall length is 9.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The model SR-2 ratchet was the successor to the Cornwell No. 55 Ratchet shown in an earlier section. The patent for this ratchet (if issued) has not yet been found.

Cornwell SR4 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 80. Cornwell SR4 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1935+.

Fig. 80 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.)

The Ford script 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. 81. Cornwell SR-5 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, ca. 1949-1954.

Fig. 81 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 is 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. 82. Cornwell SH17 1/2-Drive Speeder, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 82 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 DL2 1/2-Drive Drag Link Driver

Fig. 83. Cornwell DL2 1/2-Drive Drag Link Driver, with Inset for Top View.

Fig. 83 shows a 1/2-drive Cornwell DL2 drag link driver, stamped "17 Cornwell" and "USA" on the base.

The overall length is 1.6 inches, and the finish is plan steel.

Cornwell HF315 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 84. Cornwell HF315 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 84 shows a 1/2-drive Cornwell HF315 flex-head handle, stamped "Cornwell 4" and "USA" on the handle.

The overall length is 16.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Cornwell JR2 3/8-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 85. Cornwell JR2 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1935+.

Fig. 85 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. 86. Cornwell EP-2-6 3/8-Drive Impact Extension.

Fig. 86 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.

3/4-Drive Sockets and Tools

Cornwell Early Gearless 3/4-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 87. Cornwell Early 3/4-Drive Gearless Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 87 shows an early 3/4-drive Cornwell gearless ratchet with a push-through drive plug, marked with "Cornwell" and "Pat Applied For" forged into the handle. The shank also has a stamped code "66" (or possibly "99"), as shown in the middle inset.

The overall length is 20.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Cornwell HS54 3/4-Drive Hex Socket

[Cornwell HS54 3/4-Drive 1-1/4 Socket Hex Socket]

Fig. 88. Cornwell HS54 3/4-Drive 1-1/4 Hex Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. 1935-1954.

Fig. 88 shows a 3/4-drive Cornwell HS54 1-1/4 hex socket, stamped "15 Cornwell" and "USA" on the side.

The finish is cadmium plating.

7/8-Drive and 1 Inch Drive Tools

Cornwell Early Gearless 7/8-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 89. Cornwell Early 7/8-Drive Gearless Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 89 shows an early 7/8-drive Cornwell gearless ratchet, marked with "Cornwell" and "Pat Applied For" forged into the handle, and with a stamped code "10" at the right.

The overall length is 20.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The patent corresponding to the pending status is not yet known.

[AW]34 5/16x3/8 Brake Eccentric Wrench

Fig. 90. Cornwell [AW]34 5/16x3/8 Brake Eccentric Wrench, ca. 1934-1935.

Fig. 90 shows a Cornwell [AW]34 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.

EW51 5/8x11/16 Open-End Brake Wrench

[Cornwell EW51 5/86x11/16 Open-End Brake Wrench]

Fig. 91. Cornwell EW51 5/8x11/16 Open-End Brake Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1938+.

Fig. 91 shows an Cornwell EW51 5/8x11/16 long open-end wrench, stamped "11 Cornwell" and "USA" followed by the model number.

The overall length is 15.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Our first catalog reference for this model is in catalog No. 20 of 1938, which refers to it somewhat mysteriously as a "Scientific Brake Wrench".

[EW]52 3/4x3/4 Long Angle-Head Wrench for Hercules Manifold Service

Fig. 92. Cornwell [EW]52 3/4x3/4 Open-End Brake Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1934-1935.

Fig. 92 shows a Cornwell [EW]52 3/4x3/4 long angle-head wrench designed for servicing Hercules manifolds.

The shank is stamped "1 Cornwell 52", with the "52" indicating an early version of the model EW52 wrench.

The overall length is 12.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of cadmium plating.

Our earliest reference for this tool is the 1935 catalog, which lists the EW52 model as an "Angle Wrench for Hercules Motor Manifolds".

[EW]55 15/16x1-1/16 Open-End Brake Wrench

Fig. 93. Cornwell [EW]55 15/16x1-1/16 Open-End Brake Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1934-1935.

Fig. 93 shows a Cornwell [EW]55 15/16x1-1/16 long open-end wrench, intended for Bendix brake service. The shank is stamped "12 Cornwell 55", with the "55" indicating an early version of the model EW55 wrench.

The overall length is 16.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This wrench model was first listed as the EW55 "Bendix Brake Anchor Wrench" in the 1936 catalog No. 18, although the prior year's catalog No. 17 left a gap in the EW number series, suggesting that the EW55 model may have been available earlier as a special order.

CWF14 3/4 Combination Flare-Nut Wrench

Fig. 94. Cornwell CWF14 3/4 Combination Flare-Nut Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1948-1954.

Fig. 94 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.

Cornwell "Steeldraulic" Pliers

Fig. 95. Cornwell Steeldraulic Pliers, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 95 shows a pair of Cornwell "Steeldraulic" pliers, marked with just the Cornwell name.

The overall length is 5.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The inset shows the small boss forged into the back side of one handle.

Steeldraulic pliers were offered by a number of other tool makers, and examples on this site include the Blackhawk 2581 Pliers, Bonney 2581 Pliers, Duro-Chrome 2120 Pliers, Herbrand 272 Pliers, Utica 516 Pliers, and Vacuum Grip No. 14 Pliers.

Cornwell [BW]94 5/8 Specialty Box Wrench

Fig. 96. Cornwell [BW]94 5/8 Specialty Box Wrench, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. Mid 1930s.

Fig. 96 shows a Cornwell [BW]94 5/8 specialty box wrench for starter motor applications, stamped "11 Cornwell" and "94" on the shank.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel, with extensive pitting due to rust.

The Cornwell catalog 21A of 1941 provides our earliest catalog reference for this model, where it is listed as a BW94 starter motor wrench, recommended for Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Chrysler applications. The catalog also notes its use for holding the eccentric bolt on 1939 Chevrolet steering systems.

The markings on this example suggest a mid 1930s origin, in particular the use of the "94" model number without the "BW" prefix, and the lack of a "USA" marking.

Cornwell OW1818 9/16x9/16 Specialty Box Wrench

Fig. 97. Cornwell OW1818 9/16x9/16 Specialty Box Wrench, ca. 1955+.

Fig. 97 shows a Cornwell OW1818 9/16x9/16 offset box wrench, stamped "27 Cornwell" and "USA" on the shank.

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

The 1960 Cornwell catalog lists this tool for servicing Ford manifolds.

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

Fig. 98. Cornwell Skidmore 1-1/16 Open-End Preset Torque Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1959-1960.

Fig. 98 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 with polished faces.

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

Cornwell MC72A Specialty Chisel

Fig. 99A. Cornwell MC72A Specialty Chisel, with Insets for Top View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 99A shows a Cornwell MC72A muffler chisel with an octagonal shank, stamped with "Cornwell" and "Made in U.S.A." on the top bevel, with "Pat. No. 2176626" on a side bevel.

The overall length is 9.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The patent number refers to patent 2,176,626, filed by A.E. Gentry in 1938 and issued in 1939.

The patent describes a tool with a straight shank intended as a bushing remover, with the curved tip serving to cut a slot in soft metal. But the design turned out to be useful for cutting mufflers and tail pipes, which is probably the intent of the present tool. (We haven't found a catalog listing for the Cornwell tool yet.)

Similar tools marked with this patent were offered by a number of other companies.

Cornwell AJ-10B 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 99. Cornwell AJ-10B 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 99 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 back side.

The shank is also marked with a forged-in code "L", seen at the right side of the lower inset.

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.

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.