Walden-Worcester

Table of Contents

Introduction

Although almost forgotten today, Walden-Worcester was probably the most important early manufacturer of automotive specialty tools. In the years before 1920, Walden fixed socket wrenches were the standard tools for automotive repair, and nearly every garage and automobile dealership used these tools in their daily work. Walden was also a prime mover in the development of interchangeable sockets and drive tools.

This article will explore the history and development of this interesting and surprising company, and will show many examples of their tools.

Company History

Walden was founded in 1906 as the Walden Manufacturing Company and took its name from two of the founders, Charles M. and Frederick E. Walden. Frederick Walden was a notable inventor, and the company's first products were wrenches built around a distinctive wire-handle ratchet mechanism, invented and patented (#928,719) by Walden.

Fig. 1. 1907 Notice of Incorporation. [External Link]

Fig. 1 shows a notice of the company's incorporation, published on page 213 of the January 17, 1907 issue of The Iron Age.

The text notes that the company would be making ratchet wrenches at 65 Beason Street in Worcester, Massachusetts. The capital stock was listed as $20,000.

Fig. 2. 1907 Advertisement for Walden Wrench. [External Link]

The previous issue of the same publication (January 10, 1907) had included a notice that the Walden ratchet wrench products were being offered by Patterson, Gottfried & Hunter, a hardware and tool distributor in New York, NY.

Fig. 2 shows an advertisement illustrating one of the Walden ratchet wrenches, as published on page 586 of the March, 1907 issue of Hardware Dealers' Magazine. These early tools were intended as tire bolt wrenches and came in a range of hex and square opening sizes.

Patterson, Gottfried & Hunter were Walden's manufacturer's agents and were actually offering the Walden ratchets as early as December 20, 1906, before the company had been formally incorporated.

An extensive search for advertisements by Walden has thus far found only variations of the wire-handled ratchet through 1909, so it appears that ratchet wrenches were the company's primary (or sole) product for the first several years. For reference, the company's total production in 1906 was given as 5,000 wrenches by a later article cited in our References section.

Purchase by Warren S. Bellows

In 1907, shortly after its founding, Walden was purchased by Warren S. Bellows. Bellows proved to be a prolific inventor as well, and the company's research and development activities resulted in a regular stream of new products, many of them covered by patents issued to Bellows or others.

One of his early inventions was a method for constructing wrenches using laminated sheet metal, for which he received patent #920,717 in 1909. Walden sold wrenches based on this patent, probably beginning in 1909, although we haven't found an advertisement or catalog listing to establish the early sales date.

Pressed-Steel Socket Sets

By 1911 (or earlier) Walden was offering pressed-steel socket sets, using its wire-handled ratchet as the drive tool.

Fig. 3. July 1912 Advertisement for Walden Socket Set. [External Link]

Fig. 3 shows an advertisement illustrating a Walden socket set, published on page 521 of the July, 1912 edition of the Automobile Trade Directory. (A similar ad was published on page 583 of the October, 1911 edition of the same publication.)

The text notes that the set includes a ratchet, extension, universal, and fifteen sockets, all enclosed in a leather case, and with a $6.00 price.

Based on the description, the set in this ad was the Walden No. 6 Socket Set, an example of which is shown in a later figure.

By the time Walden began offering socket sets, there were several other companies offering similar tools, including Mossberg with several models, the Baystate Autokit, Syracuse Wrench (using malleable iron sockets), C.M.B. Wrench (using cast brass sockets), and possibly others. Even with the competition, Walden's sets sold reasonably well, and within a few years Walden was probably the second-biggest seller of pressed-steel sets, behind the market-leading Mossberg.

Fixed-Socket Wrenches

By 1915 Walden had started producing fixed socket wrenches consisting of a heavy-duty machined socket attached to a steel rod handle. A key patent filed in 1916 (#1,282,028) provided an inexpensive way to attach a socket to a wrench handle, and this allowed Walden to efficiently produce large numbers of fixed socket wrenches.

Fig. 4. 1915 Advertisement for Walden Products. [External Link]

Fig. 4 shows an ad illustrating some of Walden's products at that time, as published on page 139 of the March, 1915 issue of Automobile Dealer and Repairer. Included in the illustration are several of the company's fixed socket wrench tools, as well as one of their pressed-steel socket sets.

In 1916 Walden Manufacturing changed its name to Walden-Worcester, Inc. The company had been using a stylized logo with the text "Walden Worcester Wrenches" for some time, and the new name reflected this logo. This logo was later registered as trademark #121,982.

Fixed-socket wrenches proved to be Walden's best-selling products, and within a few years their sales had increased dramatically. Walden had undertaken to analyze the tool needs for the common service operations on the popular cars of that time, allowing them to design a custom wrench model for each service job. Walden's catalogs and advertising materials then listed the required tools under each of the popular automobile models.

An interesting article tracing the development of Walden's fixed socket wrenches can be found on page 756 of the March 17, 1921 issue of Iron Trade Review, entitled Making 300,000 Wrenches Monthly. The article has a number of photographs of Walden's facilities and shows bins of wrenches in various stage of production.

According to this article, in 1920 Walden's wrench production hit the 4,500,000 mark, an astonishingly high figure for that time. (Production volumes for tool companies are notoriously difficult to estimate, so published production figures of this sort are extremely useful for later historians.)

The rapid growth of their wrench sales actually caused some problems for Walden. According to the history article cited in our References section, by 1919 Walden's production was scattered among 15 buildings in Worcester. The company decided it needed to build a new production facility, and in September of 1919 broke ground for a massive mill building.

Construction was delayed past the original schedule though, and Walden was not able to start using the new facility until late in 1920. This delay was likely a factor in forcing the company into receivership, as discussed below.

"TeeFlex" Universal Socket Wrenches

In 1919 Walden introduced a fixed socket wrench with a universal joint incorporated into the socket, for which the company registered the "TeeFlex" trademark in 1920. This appears to have been the first use of what are now called universal sockets.

Heavy-Duty Interchangeable Sockets

Walden had been a pioneer in the market for inexpensive pressed-steel socket sets, and well before 1920 had started developing heavy-duty interchangeable sockets and tools. Walden was already making heavy-wall machined sockets for its fixed socket wrenches, so it was only a small step to pair these sockets with interchangeable drive tools. These early socket tools were built around a 1/2-square drive stud with friction balls, a configuration already in use by Mossberg that quickly became the standard.

Walden's development of interchangeable socket tools can be traced by its filing of ratchet patents #1,281,484 in 1917 and #1,420,467 in 1919. These patents describe the construction of high-strength but inexpensive ratchet handles, and the latter patent was used for the 516 (see the 516 Ratchet) and 716 ratchet models. The patent filings suggest that by 1917 Walden was already preparing to offer 1/2-drive interchangeable sockets; however, for reasons that are not entirely clear, the heavy-duty socket sets didn't hit the market until 1920.

This delay in introducing its heavy-duty socket sets was probably very costly for Walden. In mid 1919 a new competitor in the form of Blackhawk Manufacturing introduced the industry's first full line of heavy-duty interchangeable socket sets, functionally equivalent to what Walden would offer the following year. In addition, Blackhawk produced copies of all of Walden's fixed socket wrench models, even to the point of listing the service tools needed for the popular car models! It must have been a huge shock for Walden's management to wake up one morning and find all of their company's products being offered by a competitor. (See our article on Blackhawk Manufacturing for more information.)

In 1920 Walden did finally release their heavy-duty socket tools, and the tools sold reasonably well, though the market now had to be shared with Blackhawk and a new start-up called the Snap-On Wrench Company. In the early 1920s Walden was one of a select few companies offering complete sets of 1/2-drive heavy-duty sockets and drive tools, with the others including Blackhawk, Snap-On, and later Mossberg. Walden's socket business developed rapidly, perhaps because it was already a high-volume manufacturer. More information on Walden's heavy-duty sockets can be found in the section on Interchangeable Socket Tools.

Receivership and an Ill-fated Lawsuit

In late 1920 Walden suffered a liquidity crisis and was forced into receivership by some its trade creditors. There are a number of possible causes for the crisis, such as the delay in moving into its huge new facility, the sudden increase in competition from Blackhawk, the expenses associated with preparing a lawsuit against Blackhawk, or simply Walden's inability to manage its explosive growth.

Fig. 5. 1922 Notice of Reorganization. [External Link]

By early 1922 the company had been reorganized.

Fig. 5 shows a notice describing the reorganization, as published on page 131 of the February, 1922 issue of Steel Processing and Conversion.

As a result of the receivership, the Bellows family appears to have lost their controlling stake in the company, although Warren Bellows remained as a vice-president and general manager.

In 1920 or 1921 Walden filed a lawsuit against American Grinder Manufacturing and its Blackhawk subsidiary, claiming unfair competition, trademark infringement, and later patent infringement as well. More information on this development can be found in our article on Blackhawk regarding the Walden Lawsuit.

Walden initially claimed a partial victory when the court ordered the "Blackhawk" trademark to be cancelled, but the unfair competition and patent complaints were denied, and the trademark infringement decision was later overturned.

Continued Innovation

After emerging from its reorganization Walden remained an innovative company, and a number of patents were received during the 1920s.

Fig. 6. 1924 Ad for Walden Tee-Flex Wrench.

Fig. 6 shows a 1924 ad for the Walden Tee-Flex wrench, as published on page 69 [External Link] of the September 10, 1924 issue of Motor Transport.

Tee-Flex was Walden's registered trademark #130,244 for a Tee-handle wrench with a universal socket, which allowed it to work at an angle.

An example of the model shown in the illustration can be seen as the Walden 1028 Tee-Flex Universal Socket Wrench.

Based on the listings in the 1925 Dunham Catalog, Walden was offering sockets made of chrome-nickel steel in 1925, making Walden one of the first manufacturers to use alloy steel for standard 1/2-drive sockets.

(Abegg & Reinhold offered "Varco" sockets made of nickel alloy steel in 1920, and Mossberg began using a chrome-manganese alloy for some of its sockets around 1922, although in a non-standard male drive design.)

1 Inch Hex Drive Sockets

Also listed in the 1925 Dunham catalog was a line of 1 inch hex drive sockets and tools, the largest drive size (to our knowledge) offered by any manufacturer of that time.

Fig. 7. 1925 Ad for Walden "Swivel Action" Wrench.

Another example of Walden's innovations was a distinctive "swivel action" socket wrench, a rotating socket fixed to an offset handle.

Fig. 7 shows a full-page ad for the Walden "swivel action" wrench, as published on page 90 of the June 4, 1925 issue of Motor Age.

The socket wrench in the ad is described by patent #1,613,976, filed by W.S. Bellows in 1922 but not issued until 1927.

An example of the wrench can be seen as the 774 "Swivel Action" Socket Wrench.

Merger with Stevens & Company

In 1926 Walden-Worcester merged with Stevens & Company to form Stevens Walden-Worcester, Inc., and the combined company offered an extensive line of automotive service machinery and tools. Stevens had previously offered a line of valve-grinding machinery, pullers, specialty tools, and toolboxes, using the logo "Stevens Speed-Up Tools".

By 1928 the combined Stevens-Walden catalog (No. 263) was offering a wide variety of socket tools, wrenches, and automotive specialty tools. The Walden section listed chrome-nickel sockets in square, hex, and double-hex broachings, and even claimed "DoubleHex" as a trademark.

By 1932 Walden had added forged open-end and box-end wrenches to their product line, including tappet wrenches, obstruction wrenches, and single-offset box wrenches. (See the section on Walden Wrenches for more information.)

In its earlier history Walden had offered very few drop-forged products and is not believed to have had any significant in-house drop-forging capability. The new forged wrenches thus were probably contract production, and it would be helpful if Walden's production partners could be identified. (The Moore Drop Forging Company is known to have supplied the forged body for an OR916 Ratchet from around 1930.)

Not much is known at this time concerning Walden's development from the mid 1930s through the late 1940s, as we don't have catalogs or other information available for that period. It's probably safe to assume that Walden was forced to change significantly as the demand for fixed socket wrenches dropped after the 1920s, although the company continued to offer some of these products even into the late 1950s.

In later years Walden shortened its name to simply Stevens Walden Inc. and sold products marked with "SW" in a particular SW-Oval logo.

New Management

In 1940 Stevens-Walden shareholders elected Joseph J. Deliso and his brother John Deliso as president and treasurer, respectively. Joseph J. Deliso was an engineer who in 1940 began seeking a "run-down factory" available for purchase. After learning of Stevens-Walden, the Deliso family was able to acquire somewhat more than 25 percent of the outstanding stock of the company, after which the remaining shareholders welcomed them as the new management.

John Deliso also served as general manager for the company.

Our information on the change of management comes from reviewing the court case M. PAUL DECOTEAU vs. JOSEPH J. DELISO [External Link], which provides a summary of the events leading up to the election of the Deliso brothers as the new managers.

Cold-Formed Sockets

In the late 1940s Walden developed a process for producing sockets by cold-forming, by which metal is forced into a die under great pressure to create a socket. Walden referred to the process as "Force Forming", and by 1947 a number of announcements about the process can be found in the trade press. For example, a notice on page 22 of Volume 87 of Motor announced that Stevens-Walden was producing sockets "using a force forming method." Further information can be found in a later section on Walden Force-Formed Sockets.

The use of cold-forming for socket production was first developed in the early 1920s by Allen Manufacturing, which briefly marketed socket sets under the "Bay State" brand. Allen's patented process was first used in 1910 to make socket-head set screws, and then later extended to the production of interchangeable sockets.

Allen's process still required some machining operations on the socket blank, but Walden's "Force Forming" is believed to have started with just a billet of metal. Cold-forming is now the dominant method used for socket production, and Walden's process was an important step towards modern production.

In the 1950s Walden continued to tout its force-forming method in advertisements. For example, an ad on page 271 of the March, 1955 issue of Popular Mechanics mentions "Force-Formed Sockets" as one of the company's products. Further information on this important technology can be found in the site index under the entry "Cold-Formed Sockets".

Later Operations

In later years Walden continued to sell socket sets and tools, and the company is believed to have been a contract manufacturer of sockets. Walden remained in business until some time in the 1990s.

Patents

Walden devoted significant efforts to research and development of new tools, and their impressive portfolio of patents offers evidence of the results.

Trademarks

The known trademarks registered by Walden are summarized in the table below.

Tool Identification

Walden tools are generally easy to identify, although some exceptions may exist. The earliest (pressed-steel) sockets were marked with the WMCo-Circle logo, a combination of the initials in the "Walden Mfg. Co." name. Early tools (after 1916) were usually marked "Walden-Worcester", but later just "Walden" or "Stevens-Walden" may be found.

Later sockets were generally marked using either the WW-Oval logo or SW-Oval logo, but in some cases the sockets were unmarked except for the size.

WMCo-Circle Logo

Fig. 8. WMCo-Circle Logo.

Fig. 8 shows the WMCo-Circle logo as observed on a tool.

The letters stand for "Walden Manufacturing Company", the company's early name. Note that in this design the arc of the letter "C" forms the (almost) enclosing outline.

WW-Oval

Fig. 9. WW-Oval Logo.

The scan in Fig. 9 shows the Walden WW-Oval logo, as published on the illustrations of sockets in the Stevens-Walden catalog No. 142.

SW-Oval

Fig. 10. SW-Oval Logo.

Fig. 10 shows the Walden SW-Oval logo stamped on a socket.

Manufacturing Dates

Walden tools were manufactured over a long time period — from before 1910 until after 1990 — and estimating the manufacturing date for a tool may therefore be difficult.

In some cases patent markings (especially "Patent Pending" or equivalent) may provide helpful clues.

For at least a limited period of time, Walden appeared to be marking specific date codes on tools, as there are various letter or number codes found on certain tools. The particular codes observed here resemble letters or numbers, sometimes in a reversed form, such as Reversed-7, Reversed-F, Reversed-Z, I, V, and W.

The markings appear to have started around 1930, as no code markings have been observed on any "Chrome Nickel" sockets. Although these may represent date codes, currently we haven't observed enough codes on tools that can be reliably dated by other means to be able to interpret them.

One interesting hint is that after examining a number of sockets with dual knurled bands and wartime finishes, only the codes I, V, and W were observed. In addition, a small number of 18xx sockets with dual knurled bands and chrome finishes were examined, and none of these had code markings, suggesting that the coding system had been discontinued after 1945.

In the absence of any other specific guidance, manufacturing dates can only be roughly estimated from factors such as catalog illustrations, model numbers, marking conventions, construction details, and so on. The following list provides some guidelines that may be useful in estimating the manufacturing dates for some tools.

• Pressed-Steel Sockets. Walden made pressed-steel sockets from about 1911 until the early 1920s.

• 1xx and 2xx Sockets. Walden began producing the 1xx and 2xx socket series in 1919 or 1920, and production continued until about 1930.

• Chrome Nickel Marking. Walden began using chrome nickel steel for sockets in 1925, and sockets from this era will have "Chrome Nickel" in an outline box. This marking was replaced by a more generic "Chrome Alloy" around 1930.

• 8xx Double-Hex Sockets. Walden began offering the 8xx series of 1/2-drive double-hex sockets around 1928, and these remained in production until around the mid 1930s.

• Chrome Alloy Marking. By 1930 the Sligo catalog was listing Walden sockets as made of chrome alloy. Walden used a "Chrome Alloy" marking in an outline box for sockets until probably around 1940.

• 2xx/8xx Dual Marking. Some 8xx series sockets have been observed with dual markings for the older 2xx series size. This is believed to indicate production in a transitional period around 1930, as Walden prepared to discontinue the 2xx series sockets. The dual markings would have allowed a customer order for 2xx sockets to be filled with a functional equivalent.

• 18xx Thin-Wall Sockets. Walden began offering the 18xx series of 1/2-drive thin-wall double-hex sockets around 1932, and these remained in production until the mid to late 1940s. Initially the sockets had a single knurled band around the base.

• Dual Knurled Bands. Later production of the 18xx series sockets were decorated with two narrow knurled bands around the base. Many of the examples noted have plain or cadmium finishes associated with wartime production, suggesting that the dual band marking probably started around 1940 or 1941. In addition, sockets with dual knurled bands generally were not marked for alloy steel -- only one exception has been found. The dual knurled band marking has also been observed on other tools such as extensions.

• "WW" in a Circle Marking. Stevens-Walden catalog No. 142 uses a "WW" in a Circle marking for all illustrations of "Force Formed" sockets, but other sockets are shown with older markings. The price list confirms that "WW" denotes "Force Formed" sockets. This marking can thus be used to indicate production in 1947 or later.

References and Resources

Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts collection.

An article on on Walden-Worcester on page 27 [External Link] of the February, 1921 issue of the Accessory and Garage Journal provides valuable historical information for the company.

The Walden Manufacturing Company and Walden-Worcester are mentioned briefly in American Wrench Makers 1830-1930, 2nd Edition by Kenneth Cope (Astragal Press, 2002). The text includes a helpful list of patent dates used for various Walden tools.

Catalog Coverage

Product information for Walden tools was obtained from a number of the company's own catalogs, supplemented by listings in various industrial and automotive supplier catalogs.

Industrial Distributors

Walden tools were available from a number of automotive and industrial supply catalogs, and we've listed some examples of these publications below.

From 1915 through 1930 Walden was very well represented in distributor catalogs, with some distributors carrying a nearly complete line of the company's products. But after 1930, distributor coverage dropped precipitously, with only two known catalogs and listings limited to the minor "Spintite" line.

• Monnier Auto Supply 1909. The 1909 catalog from the Monnier Auto Supply Company of Detroit lists sets of Walden wire-handled ratchets on page 66, although without identifying the maker.

• E.J. Willis Company "A" 1912. The 1912 catalog "A" from the E.J. Willis Company, a dealer of automobile supplies in New York City, lists a Walden No. 6 socket set on page 9.

• Cray Brothers 1915. A 1915 catalog from Cray Brothers, a dealer of carriage and auto supplies in Cleveland, lists Walden tools on page 474, including fixed socket wrenches and a canvas-roll version of the No. 4 pressed-steel socket set.

• Central Automobile Supply 1916. The 1916 catalog from Central Automobile Supply of Des Moines, Iowa lists Walden fixed socket wrenches on pages 196 and 197. Interestingly, the socket wrenches didn't have model numbers at this point, but instead had codes such as "OFF" for offset (see the Walden 2524), "SST" for a short Tee (see the Walden 2620), "LST" for a long Tee (see the Walden 2718), and so on.

• Cray Brothers 1916. The 1916 catalog from Cray Brothers of Cleveland lists Walden tools on pages 452-454, including fixed socket wrenches, pressed-steel socket sets, and valve grinding tools. The socket sets listed are No. 4, No. 6, and No. 11, the latter of which was Walden's largest set at the time, with 27 hexagonal and 11 square sockets. The fixed socket wrenches included the 1620, 3240, 3648, and 5810, and the valve grinding tools listed were the VG2 brace and VG3 hand tool.

• Ducommun "E" 1918. The 1918 catalog "E" from the Ducommun Hardware Company of Los Angeles lists five pages of Walden tools beginning on page 243. The listings include socket sets and accessories, with illustrations for sets Nos. 4, 6, and 11. Also listed are Walden's ratchets in three sizes, the No. 111 at 5 inches, No. 511 at 9 inches, and No. 711 at 12 inches. Fixed-socket wrenches are also offered, mostly for Ford service.

• General Sales 1918. The 1918 catalog No. 18 from the General Sales Company of Detroit lists the Walden Nos. 4, 6, and 12 "Combination Socket Wrench Sets" on page 184, fixed socket wrenches in offset, Tee, and speeder styles on pages 185-186, and Ford-specific fixed socket wrenches on page 233.

• Harron, Rickard & McCone 1918. The 1918 catalog No. 2 from Harron, Rickard & McCone, an industrial distributor, lists the Walden No. 6 pressed-steel socket set on page 120. Also listed are Walden fixed-socket wrenches on pages 122-123.

• Lathan Auto Supply 1918. The 1918 catalog No. 4 from Lathan Auto Supply of San Francisco lists Walden tools on pages 178 to 181, including socket sets and fixed socket wrenches. The socket sets illustrated are the No. 6, No. 11, and No. 12 "Combination Socket Wrench Sets".

• Chandler & Farquhar 1919. The 1919 catalog "A" from Chandler & Farquhar, an industrial distributor in Boston, lists Walden fixed socket wrenches on page 199. The tools include the 25xx offset wrenches, 26xx short Tee-handle wrenches, 27xx long Tee-handle wrenches, 60xx speed wrenches, and a DGB series of brace socket wrenches.

• Pittsburgh Auto Equipment 1920. The 1920 catalog No. 7 from the Pittsburgh Auto Equipment Company, a wholesale distributor, has extensive listings for Walden scattered from page 225 through page 240. The Walden No. 16 and No. 27 combination socket wrench sets are listed on page 225, and a No. 8 combination set is listed on page 240. Along with the Weaver-Ebling catalog, these are our earliest catalog listings for Walden's interchangeable socket sets.

  Other listings include brace socket wrenches on page 229, fixed socket wrenches on pages 232-233, interchangeable sockets and drive tools on pages 235-236, and fixed socket wrenches for specific autos on pages 237-239.

• Tool Specialty Company 1920. The 1920 catalog No. 4 from the Tool Specialty Company of Kansas City, Missouri lists Walden fixed-socket wrenches on page 53 in the short Tee 26xx series, long Tee 27xx series, and speeder 60xx series. Other listings offer specialty fixed-socket wrenches on page 53 and Ford socket wrenches on page 182.

• Weaver-Ebling Automobile Company 1920. The 1920 catalog from the Weaver-Ebling Automobile Company of New York City lists the Walden No. 8, No. 16 and No. 27 combination socket wrench sets on page 129. Along with the Pittsburgh Auto Equipment catalog, these are our earliest catalog listings for Walden's interchangeable socket sets.

  Other listings show Walden fixed socket wrenches.

• C.W. Marwedel 1922. The 1922 catalog No. 11 from the C.W. Marwedel Company, an industrial supplier, includes five pages of Walden tools on pages 298-300 and 304-305. Of particular interest are the listings for the early 1/2-drive interchangeable socket sets Nos. 8, 9, 16, 26, and 27, which specify the contents of the sets. Also listed are the individual items in the 1xx and 2xx socket series and the 11xx drive tools. Pages 304-305 shows the Walden line of fixed socket wrenches and speeders, including the No. 64xx Nut and Bolt Holding attachments.

• Ducommun "F" 1924. The 1924 catalog "F" from the Ducommun Corporation, a west-coast industrial supplier, lists a variety of Walden tools on pages 263 through 276. The listings include interchangeable sockets and drive tools and a fairly complete selection of fixed socket wrenches. Especially notable is the inclusion of the 1500 series of brace socket wrenches, one of only two known catalog references for this interesting tool.

• Stowe Supply 1924. The 1924 catalog No. 30 from the Stowe Supply Company of Kansas City lists an extensive selection of Walden tools on pages 275-286, including a full line of fixed socket wrenches and interchangeable sets Nos. 8, 16, 26, and 27.

• Waterhouse & Lester 1924. The 1924 catalog No. 20 from Waterhouse & Lester (with Supplement A for 1925) includes extensive listings of Walden tools on pages 363 through 376. The listings include socket sets, sockets and drive tools, socket wrench and speeder wrench tools, and tables showing the tools needed to service various makes of automobiles. Also included are listings for the interesting 1500 series brace wrenches and 7000 series "Double-Power Speed Wrenches".

  Supplement A lists Walden tools on pages 53 through 67, and includes listings for the No. 21 drain plug set and the No. 25 socket set, the latter in a wooden box.

• Dunham, Carrigan Catalog 1925. The 1925 catalog No. 73 from the Dunham, Carrigan & Hayden Company includes extensive listings of Walden tools on pages 1474 through 1494. Most notable was an illustration of the No. 1100 merchandising cabinet, offering "Chrome Nickel Interchangeable Sockets Handle Parts", one of the earliest references to alloy steel sockets. The catalog listings include socket sets, sockets and drive tools, and what must be a nearly complete listing of Walden's socket wrench and speeder wrench tools. Also listed are Walden's line of 1 inch hex drive sockets and drive tools, the earliest known offering of 1 inch drive tools from any maker.

• Williams Hardware 1925-1926. The Williams Hardware Company (not to be confused with J.H. Williams & Co.) catalog for 1925-1926 includes six pages of Walden tools, including fixed socket wrenches, rim wrenches, and interchangeable socket sets. In addition, it shows a huge cross-reference table giving the recommended Walden tool for each of various service jobs (rows) on 47 brands of automobiles (columns)!

• Ducommun "G" 1926. The 1926 catalog "G" from the Ducommun Corporation, a west-coast industrial supplier, listed one page of Walden "Spintite" socket drivers on page 230.

• C.W. Marwedel 1929. The C.W. Marwedel catalog No. 12 of 1929 lists seven pages of Walden and Stevens tools, including socket sets, Spintite wrenches, and fixed socket tools. The socket sets include Nos. 16-R, 21, 25-R, 26-R, 27-R, and 28-R in 1/2-drive, and Nos. 500 and 510 in 1 inch hex drive. Also shown are 1/2-drive sockets in the 1xx 4-point, 2xx 6-point, and 8xx 12-point series, and the OR916 ratchet. Other tools include the No. 1453 4-socket rim wrench, the L3 cylinder head lifter, and the No. 1113 clutch-type ratchet adapter.

• Sligo Iron Store 1930. The 1930 catalog No. 70 from the Sligo Iron Store Company lists four pages of Walden tools beginning on page 121. The listings include socket sets in 1/2-drive, 5/8-drive, and 1-inch hex drive, and sets Nos. 26 and 28 could be ordered with either hex ("R" suffix) or double-hex ("D" suffix) sockets. Sockets were specified as chrome alloy steel. Walden "Boxtite" single-offset box wrenches were also available.

• Mossman-Yarnelle 1931. The 1931 catalog No. 31-T from the Mossman-Yarnelle Company of Fort Wayne (Indiana), an industrial distributor, lists Walden socket sets on pages 461-463. The sets include Nos. 16-R, 25-R, 26-R/D, 27-R, and 28-R/D, as well as the No. 21 drain plug set. (The sockets are specified as "Chrome Nickel", indicating that the listings were based on older specs.)

  Also listed are the No. 2100 "Boxtite" ("Chrome Alloy") box-end wrench set on page 163, and the No. 5104 universal rim wrench on page 163.

• Ducommun "H" 1933. The 1933 catalog "H" from the Ducommun Corporation lists a small selection of Walden tools on pages 144 and 144A, including Spintite nut drivers and the No. 68 Spintite socket set.

• H. Channon 1936. The 1936 catalog No. 102 from the H. Channon Company, a major industrial distributor, lists Walden Spintite nut drivers on page 205.

Early Tools

One of Walden's first products was a wire-handled ratchet of a uniquely simple design, in which the bent wire handle serves as the holder of the drive gear, the pawl spring, and the pawl itself! This ratchet was first used as a ratcheting box wrench for wheel rim nuts or other applications on early automobiles.

Fig. 11. 1906 Notice for Walden Wire-Handled Ratchet. [External Link]

Fig. 11 shows a notice for the Walden ratchet, as published on page 905 of the December 20, 1906 issue of The Automobile. The illustration shows the Walden ratchet as it was first offered, with a broaching to fit hex nuts.

The Walden ratchet later formed the basis of automobile tool kits with pressed-steel sockets, using a drive gear with an 11/16 square broaching to fit the outer shank of the sockets.

Fig. 12. 1909 Catalog Listing for [Walden] Wire-Handled Ratchets.

Fig. 12 shows a catalog listing for set of Walden wire-handled ratchets, as published on page 66 of the 1909 catalog from Monnier Auto Supply of New York City.

Note that Walden is not identified as the maker, but the tools are easily recognized.

Early 3/4 Ratcheting Box Wrench for B.F. Goodrich

This next figure shows an example of the first application for Walden's wire-handled ratchet patent, a ratcheting box wrench.

Fig. 13. Walden 3/4 Ratcheting Box Wrench, with Insets for Marking Detail, ca. 1909-1912.

Fig. 13 shows an early Walden 3/4 ratcheting box wrench using the wire ratchet patent, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Pat. June 20, 1909" on the drive gear (see upper inset). The back side is stamped "B.F. Goodrich Co.", the customer for this contract production.

The overall length is 4.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of nickel plating.

The patent date refers to patent #928,719, filed by F.E. Walden in 1906.

Although this example was produced sometime after 1909, Walden ratchet wrenches of this style were in production by 1905 or 1906.

4564 11/16 Box Wrench with Laminated Construction

Fig. 14. Walden 4564 11/16 Box Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1909-1912.

Fig. 14 shows an early Walden 4564 11/16 box wrench with laminated steel construction, stamped "Walden-Worcester" with a "Pat. May 4, 1909" patent date.

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

The patent date refers to patent #920,717, filed by W.S. Bellows in 1908 and issued the following year.

Pressed-Steel Socket Sets

Pressed-steel socket sets were among of Walden's earlier products, with production beginning by 1911 or possibly earlier. These early sets included a distinctive wire-handled ratchet designed by Frederick Walden, a uniquely simple design with the wire handle wrapped around the drive gear. Walden filed a patent application for the ratchet in 1906, and the patent was issued on July 20 of 1909, a date that can be found on many of the ratchet examples.

A 1911 production date would make Walden one of the earlier producers of automotive socket sets, although the Auto-Clé set had been on the market since 1905, Miller Combination Tool had offered socket sets in 1906, and Syracuse Wrench began producing socket sets in 1907. The Frank Mossberg Company acquired patents for the Auto-Clé ratchet and socket design in 1908 and began offering pressed-steel socket sets, and in the following years numerous other companies offered similar sockets sets.

The pressed-steel sockets themselves were made of sheet metal forced into dies to form the service opening and drive end. Currently we're unsure of the origins of this construction technique, but it appears to have been easily adopted and was widely used in the tool industry. Closely related products include tubular wrenches such as the Vlchek No. 51 Tubular Socket Wrench.

Although these early pressed-steel socket sets were suitable only for light-duty work, they became very popular as automobile repair kits. It's important to note that these socket sets fully established the utility of interchangeable sockets as an important service tool.

Walden's pressed-steel sets remained available from some distributors until the early 1920s. For example, the 1922 Bostwick-Braun distributor catalog listed Walden's older No. 4 pressed-steel set along with their new Nos. 8, 16, and 26 sets of 1/2-drive machined and broached sockets.

However, Walden's own 1922 catalog "B" did not list pressed-steel sets, and we suspect that production of pressed-steel sets ceased soon after 1920 as the company ramped up production of the superior line of machined and broached sockets. We'll examine the later developments in a section on Walden Interchangeable Socket Tools.

Examples of Early Socket Tools

In the figures below we'll look at some examples of the early Walden socket tools. The Walden pressed-steel sockets and tools are now rather rare, but we've been able to acquire several socket sets for display. The sets include two early examples with wire-handled ratchets, plus a later large set a wooden box.

It's worth noting that the Walden pressed-steel socket sets were generally similar to the Mossberg sets of the same style, and the latter sets are much easier to find. (Mossberg became the market leader for these products.) An example of the Mossberg production can be seen in the Mossberg No. 10 Socket Wrench Set.

Sizing for Pressed-Steel Sockets

Before presenting the tools, we first need to mention an issue that's otherwise guaranteed to confuse modern readers. (That's all of you out there.) Pressed-steel sockets were commonly specified as 1/32 oversize, a peculiar sizing convention that was apparently due to the wide manufacturing tolerances for the sockets. For example, a 17/32 socket would be specified for use with a 1/2 inch nut. (And of course that 1/2 nut might be on a 1/4 U.S.S. bolt or a 5/16 S.A.E. screw.)

Interested readers can refer to a more detailed discussion of Pressed-Steel Socket Sizes in our article on Mossberg.

Walden [No. 511] Wire-Handled Ratchet

This next figure shows an example of the Walden ratchet from a pressed-steel socket set.

Fig. 15. Walden No. 511 Wire-Handled Ratchet, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1909 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 15 shows an example of the Walden [No. 511] wire-handled ratchet, marked "Walden-Worcester" and "Pat. July 20, 1909" on the handle.

Although not marked with a model number, an early Walden brochure refers to this as a No. 511 ratchet.

The overall length is 9.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The patent date refers to patent #928,719, filed by F.E. Walden in 1906 and issued in 1909.

Although this example is marked "Walden-Worcester", it's unclear whether this refers to the later company name or simply to the Worcester (Massachusetts) location for Walden Manufacturing. (Walden Manufacturing became Walden-Worcester, Inc. in 1916.)

Ratchets of this type were made starting in about 1906 and were still listed by some distributors into the early 1920s, despite the availability of the more advanced No. 522 Ratchet from 1918 onward.

At some point Walden offered this style of ratchet in two additional sizes, the No. 111 at 5 inches and the No. 711 at 12 inches. Currently our only reference for these other sizes is the 1918 Ducommun catalog "E".

Walden Manufacturing Pressed-Steel Sockets

Fig. 16. Walden Manufacturing Pressed-Steel Sockets, with Inset for Opening, ca. 1911 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 16 shows two examples of the Walden pressed-steel sockets, each marked with the WMCo-Circle logo near the base of the drive end. The logo resembles a circle with "W" and "M" stamped on the circumference, with "Co." in the center, representing the Walden Manufacturing Company name.

The socket sizes are 13/32 square on the left and 21/32 hex on the right, and the openings (not broached!) can be seen in the upper inset. The finish is plain steel.

Walden No. 4 Combination Wrench Set

This next figure shows the Walden No. 4 socket set, a compact collection intended primarily as the in-car emergency set for Ford Model T owners. Early No. 4 sets were supplied in a canvas roll-up carrier, but later sets (including our example) came in a pressed-paper box with a wooden insert.

Fig. 17. 1915 Advertisement for Walden No. 4 Combination Wrench Set. [External Link]

Fig. 17 shows an ad for the Walden No. 4 set, as published on page 11 of the February, 1915 issue of Automobile Dealer and Repairer.

Fig. 18. Walden No. 4 Combination Wrench Set, ca. 1915 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 18 shows a Walden No. 4 socket set in a pressed-paper case, consisting of a wire-handle ratchet, an extension, a universal joint, and eight pressed-steel sockets. The set as acquired was missing the original extension, so we have substituted the extension from the similar No. 6 socket set for the photograph.

The paper label on the inside of the cover is marked "Walden-Worcester" and "No. 4 Combination Wrench Set", with "Special Ford Car" and the $4.00 price on the line below. There is no separate marking for the company's location, so it's unclear whether "Walden-Worcester" refers to the later company name or their Worcester (Massachusetts) location.

The set as shown has eight hex sockets with sizes 17/32, 19/32, 21/32, 23/32, 25/32, 7/8, 29/32, and 1-5/32. All of the sockets were marked with the fractional size, but in two different styles, with five of the sockets marked on the drive end and three sockets (21/32, 25/32, and 7/8) marked on the upper walls. These same three sockets were also marked with the Walden WMCo-Circle logo.

Our earliest commercial reference for this set is the 1915 Cray Brothers catalog, a Cleveland company selling supplies for the carriage trade. The description lists the contents as a No. 511 ratchet, an extension, a universal joint, and eight sockets with sizes 17/32, 19/32, 21/32, 23/32, 25/32, 29/32, 31/32, and 1-3/32. The illustration shows the set in its canvas-roll version, but the illustration from the 1916 Cray Brothers catalog shows the box version. Interestingly, the catalog illustration shows the same printed sticker and $4.00 price as the example here, but the set was offered at a $2.67 price.

Based on the catalog description, our example set has had two of the original sockets replaced by other sizes, with the 31/32 size replaced by 7/8 and the 1-3/32 size replaced by 1-5/32.

Walden [No. 511] 11/16-Drive Wire-Handled Ratchet

Fig. 19. Walden No. 511 11/16-Drive Wire-Handled Ratchet, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1915 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 19 shows the 11/16-drive Walden wire-handled ratchet from the No. 4 set, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Pat. July 20, 1909" on the handle. No model number was marked, but a Walden brochure lists this as a No. 511 ratchet.

The overall length is 9.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel with nickel plating on the drive gear.

This ratchet is basically identical to the No. 511 Ratchet shown previously.

Walden 11/16-Drive Universal Adapter

Fig. 20. Walden 11/16-Drive Universal Adapter, ca. 1915 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 20 shows the unusual 11/16-drive to 1/2-drive double-male universal adapter from the Walden No. 4 set, unmarked except for the CAT-Circle logo forged into the 11/16 drive end.

The overall length is 4.3 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The asymmetrical drive sizes of the universal allow it to be driven by the ratchet on the 11/16-drive end while driving a socket from the inside using the 1/2-drive end.

The CAT-Circle logo indicates production by the Cape Ann Tool Company, a blacksmith and drop-forge operator originally supplying tools for the granite quarries in Rockport, Massachusetts, but later a supplier of forgings for the automobile and aircraft industries.

Walden No. 6 Combination Wrench Sets

The Walden No. 6 socket set was an intermediate set with enough sockets to do most service jobs, yet still small enough to be easily stowed in a car. This set consisted of a wire-handle ratchet, an extension, a universal joint, and fifteen pressed-steel sockets.

Fig. 21. 1914 Notice for Walden No. 6 Set. [External Link]

The notice in Fig. 21 was published on page 429 of the January, 1914 issue of Machinery and illustrates the Walden No. 6 "Combination Socket Wrench" set with its drive tools displayed in front. Although not visible in the illustration, the text of the notice mentions a spark plug socket, which may have been a new addition to the set in 1914. (Other descriptions of this set mention only the 15 standard hex sockets.)

For this set we have an early Walden brochure that lists the socket sizes, but interestingly the sizes are specified as the nuts the sockets will fit, rather than the fractional sizes of the sockets themselves. The apparent reason for this is that pressed-steel sockets were commonly specified as 1/32 oversized, e.g. a 17/32 socket to fit a 1/2 nut.

This over-sizing adds another layer of confusion to the multiple size standards (U.S.S., S.A.E., and Hex Cap), and Walden thought it better to just report the nut sizes that would fit. More information on the confusing size conventions for these early sockets can be found at Pressed-Steel Socket Sizes.

Based on the list of nut sizes in the Walden brochure, the socket sizes for the set were 17/32, 19/32, 5/8, 21/32, 23/32, 25/32, 13/16, 27/32, 29/32, 31/32, 1 Inch, 1-1/32, 1-3/32, 1-5/32, and 1-9/32.

We have been fortunate to acquire two examples of the No. 6 socket set, and the sets show minor differences in markings and construction that help to illustrate the ongoing development. The earlier of the No. 6 sets was supplied in a leather box with wooden ends, but on this set the leather top has been been lost. (On the leather boxes, the top and front flap was formed as a continuation of the back, and flexing from opening and closing the set often caused the leather hinge to fail.) In this earlier set none of the sockets were marked, not even with the size, and the tools were not marked with model numbers.

The later No. 6 set came in a box resembling leather, but actually constructed of a stiff pressed-paper product held together with rivets, and with the top mounted on hinges. The sockets in this set were all marked with the WMCo-Circle logo and fractional size, and the ratchet and extension were marked with model numbers.

Fig. 22. Walden Early No. 6 Combination Wrench Set, ca. 1911-1915.

Fig. 22 shows an early Walden No. 6 socket set in a leather case, consisting of a wire-handled ratchet, extension, universal joint, and 15 hex sockets.

The socket sizes are, beginning in the bottom row at the left, 17/32, 19/32, 5/8, 21/32, 23/32, 25/32, 13/16, and 27/32. Continuing in the top row from the right, the sizes are 29/32, 31/32, 1 Inch, 1-1/32, 1-3/32, 1-5/32, and 1-9/32.

The sockets acquired with this set had no markings at all, not even for the size, and were finished with nickel plating. Several sockets were missing and have been replaced with Walden (or unmarked) sockets of the correct size.

The unmarked sockets and leather case suggest an early production date for this set.

Walden 11/16-Drive 9 Inch Extension

Fig. 23. Walden 11/16-Drive 9 Inch Extension, ca. 1911-1915.

Fig. 23 shows the unmarked 11/16-drive 9 inch extension from the early No. 6 socket set.

The overall length is 9.0 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The extension has an unusual 11/16-drive male-to-female design that drives the sockets from the outside, with the shaft of the extension designed to slide freely in the ratchet, effectively giving it a variable length.

Walden 11/16-Drive Universal

Fig. 24. Walden 11/16-Drive Universal, ca. 1911-1915.

Fig. 24 shows the 11/16-drive universal from the early Walden No. 6 socket set, marked with an CAT-Circle logo forged into one end.

The overall length is 4.2 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The asymmetrical drive sizes of the universal allow it to be driven by the ratchet on the 11/16-drive end while driving a socket from the inside using the 1/2-drive end.

The CAT-Circle logo indicates production by the Cape Ann Tool Company, a blacksmith and drop-forge operator originally supplying tools for the granite quarries in Rockport, Massachusetts, but later a supplier of forgings for the automobile and aircraft industries.

Walden Later No. 6 Combination Wrench Set

Fig. 25. Walden Later No. 6 Combination Wrench Set, ca. 1915 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 25 shows the later Walden No. 6 socket set in its paper-board box, consisting of a No. 511 ratchet, X3 extension, universal joint, and 15 sockets.

This set likely included a spark plug socket originally, but it was missing when we acquired the set.

The sockets sizes in the top row from the left are 17/32, 19/32, 5/8, 21/32, 23/32, 25/32, 13/16, and 27/32. The sizes in the bottom row from the right are 29/32, 31/32, 1 Inch, 1-1/32, 1-3/32, 1-5/32, and 1-9/32. All of the sockets are stamped with the WMCo-Circle logo and fractional size.

The inside top cover of this set originally would have had a paper sticker describing the set, similar to the one for the Walden No. 4 Socket Set shown previously. These stickers tended to be fragile and were easily lost, but a similar set No. 6 set acquired later retained a partial sticker specifying 16 sockets, confirming the presence of a spark plug socket.

Walden X3 11/16-Drive 9 Inch Extension

Fig. 26. Walden X3 11/16-Drive 9 Inch Extension, ca. 1915 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 26 shows the Walden X3 11/16-drive 9 inch extension from the later No. 6 set, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 8.9 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The extension has an unusual 11/16-drive male-to-female design that drives the sockets from the outside. The shaft of the extension is designed to slide freely in the ratchet, effectively giving it a variable length.

Walden No. 10 Combination Wrench Set

The Walden No. 10 socket set was a somewhat unusual collection featuring three wire-handle ratchets of different sizes, plus an extension, a universal, and a total of 31 sockets.

Fig. 27. Walden No. 10 Combination Wrench Set, ca. 1916 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 27 shows a rare Walden No. 10 pressed-steel socket set in good condition, except for a few missing pieces. The original contents are illustrated on the sticker inside the cover and consisted of three ratchets, an extension, a universal, 25 hex sockets, 5 square sockets, and a spark-plug socket.

Our set arrived missing the ratchets and one hex socket, and we were able to replace one ratchet from inventory.

The original three ratchet models were the No. 111 at 5 inches, the No. 511 (the standard model) at 9 inches, and the No. 711 at 12 inches. In the photograph only the 9 inch ratchet is shown.

The 25 hex sockets in the set include all of the sizes from 5/16 to 1-1/32 by 32nds except for 3/8 and 3/4, plus three larger sizes 1-3/32, 1-5/32, and 1-9/32. (The empty peg is for the missing 11/32 socket.) The spark-plug socket is 29/32 to fit 7/8 spark plugs.

The five square sockets have sizes 13/32, 15/32, 17/32, 19/32, and 21/32. All of the sockets are stamped with the WMCo-Circle logo and fractional size.

Fig. 28. Top Cover of Walden No. 10 Combination Wrench Set, ca. 1916 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 28 shows the top cover of the Walden No. 10 socket set in its pressed paper box. The cover is marked with "Walden-Worcester" and "No. 10 Combination Wrench Set" pressed into the paper.

The dimensions of the box are 13.3 inches long by 5.6 inches deep by 3.0 inches high.

Currently we don't have a catalog reference for the No. 10 set. We're a bit dubious that having extra ratchets would add much value to a tool set of this sort, which may account for the scarcity of this set — this is the only example we've ever seen.

Walden No. 11 Combination Wrench Set

The Walden No. 11 socket set was one of the company's larger collection of sockets and drive tools. With 27 hexagonal and 11 square sockets plus open-end wrenches, this set was designed to compete with the Mossberg No. 14 Set. The No. 11 set was available by 1916, based on a listing in the 1916 Cray Brother catalog.

Fig. 29. 1918 Catalog Listing for Walden No. 11 Combination Wrench Set.

The scan in Fig. 29 was taken from page 244 of the 1918 Ducommun catalog "E" and shows the layout of the set, which consisted of a ratchet, an extension, a universal, a sliding Tee handle (called a "combination offset and tee handle"), 27 hex sockets from 5/16 to 1-9/32, a 7/8 spark-plug socket, and 11 square sockets from 13/32 to 1-9/32. In addition, the set included five open-end wrenches and a cotter-pin puller.

This set is quite similar to the slightly larger Walden No. 12 Set, but is missing the brace and extra extensions, and retains a wire-handle ratchet instead of the later-generation ratchet.

The illustration shows the Walden sliding Tee handle with a thumbscrew to lock the sliding head in place. The same catalog page listed this as a No. X5 7.5 inch handle for $0.40, and it was intended to be used with No. X6 extension shanks, available in lengths of 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 inches. This is our first reference for this tool, which must have been fairly new at the time.

Currently we don't have a No. 11 set (and have actually never seen one), but we wanted to add this catalog reference as a placeholder.

Walden No. 12 Combination Wrench Set

Fig. 30. 1918 Catalog Listing for Walden No. 12 Socket Set.

The No. 12 "Combination Wrench Set" was Walden's largest collection of sockets and drive tools in the pressed-steel era.

The scan in Fig. 30 shows an illustration of the No. 12 set, as found on page 178 of the 1918 catalog No. 4 from Lathan Auto Supply. The catalog lists the contents as a ratchet, a brace driver, a sliding Tee handle (called a "Tee and offset wrench"), a universal, three extensions, 27 hex sockets, 11 square sockets, a spark plug socket, and five open-end wrenches.

The chart on the inside of the cover shows some of the possible combinations of the tools in the set.

Our set as acquired was missing the brace, a couple of sockets, and two of the open-end wrenches, but fortunately we were able to fill in the missing pieces. The tools in the photograph have been arranged to approximate the catalog illustration of the set.

Fig. 31. Walden No. 12 Combination Wrench Set, ca. 1918 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 31 shows a Walden No. 12 pressed-steel socket set in the lower half of its wooden case, identified by means of an early catalog illustration. The set consists of a No. 522 ratchet, a brace driver, a sliding Tee handle, a universal, three extensions, 27 hex sockets, 11 square sockets, a spark-plug socket, and five open-end wrenches.

The 27 hex sockets in the set range in size from 5/16 up to 1-9/32, with all sizes from 5/16 up to 1-1/32 by 32nds, plus 1-3/32, 1-5/32, and 1-9/32.

The sockets are arranged on individual wooden pegs in a folded-up line, beginning on the right side of the center bay. Most of the sockets are marked with the WMCo-Circle logo, either on the base or on the upper walls.

The set also includes 11 square sockets, seen in the cluster near the center, with sizes 13/32, 15/32, 17/32, 19/32, 21/32, 23/32, 25/32, 29/32, 1-1/32, 1-5/32, and 1-9/32. The deep socket at the upper left is a 29/32 hex size, probably intended for spark-plug service.

The wooden box originally had a lid or cover, but unfortunately the cover had been lost by the time we acquired the set. The cover was secured to the lower half with two hooks on the sides. The dimensions of the box are 17.7 inches long by 10.7 inches wide.

The No. 12 set was offered as early as 1917, but this particular example dates to 1918 or a little later, based on the patent notice on the ratchet. The next several figures will shows some of the drive tools included in the set. The open-end wrenches can be seen beginning with the Walden Early Open-End Wrench in another section.

Walden No. 522 11/16-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 32. Walden No. 522 11/16-Drive Ratchet, ca. 1918 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 32 shows the Walden No. 522 11/16-drive ratchet from the No. 12 socket set. The handle is stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Oct. 15, 1918" patent notice.

The overall length is 9.0 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The drive gear of the ratchet has an 11/16 square female opening, the standard size for driving pressed-steel sockets on the outer walls.

The patent notice refers to patent #1,281,484, which was filed in 1917 by W.S. Bellows and issued on the stated date. The patent describes a method of making a strong but low-cost ratchet constructed of stamped steel, and the illustration shows a reinforcing insert for the handle.

Walden 1244 11/16-Drive Brace

Fig. 33. Walden 1244 11/16-Drive Brace, with Insets for Broaching and Marking Detail, ca. 1918 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 33 shows the 11/16-drive Walden model 1244 brace from the No. 12 socket set, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" patent notice.

The brace has a throw of 5.0 inches with an overall length of 11.5 inches. The finish is nickel plating, with some loss due to rust.

The upper inset shows the drive socket of the brace, an 11/16 square broached opening with a tapped hole for a thumbscrew (now missing).

(As a side note, the hole is tapped for a 1/4-24 screw, now a non-standard size but sometimes found on older tools.)

The brace was designed to drive the sockets (or extensions) in the set using the outer walls, an arrangement that provides greater strength than would be obtained using a 1/2 square male drive.

Walden Early [No. X5] 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle

Fig. 34. Walden Early [No. X5] 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1918 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 34 shows an early 1/2-drive Walden [No. X5] sliding Tee handle with a thumbscrew lock, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Pdg." notice.

The overall length is 7.4 inches. The finish is plain steel, with some traces of nickel plating on the sliding head.

This tool was not marked with a model number, but the 1918 Ducommun catalog "E" listed it as a No. X5 7.5 inch handle. The thumbscrew lock is an unusual feature, and might be the subject of a patent claim. The patent corresponding to the pending status (if issued) has not yet been found.

This sliding Tee handle was acquired as part of the Walden No. 12 Socket Set shown above.

Walden 11/16-Drive Universal Adapter

Fig. 35. Walden Early 11/16-Drive Universal, ca. 1918 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 35 shows an unusual 11/16-drive to 1/2-drive double-male universal adapter, acquired as part of the Walden-Worcester No. 12 socket set shown above.

The overall length is 4.1 inches, and the finish appears to be nickel plating.

In operation, the 11/16 end of the universal would be driven by either the ratchet or brace, and the 1/2-drive end could then drive a socket from the inside.

This universal is basically identical to the 11/16-Drive Universal Adapter shown previously with the No. 4 socket set.

Walden Early 11/16-Drive 9 Inch Extension

This next figure shows an unusual 11/16-drive male-to-female extension from the Walden-Worcester No. 12 socket set.

Fig. 36. Walden Early 11/16-Drive 9 Inch Extension, ca. 1918 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 36 shows a Walden 11/16-drive male-to-female extension, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." on the tubular shank.

The overall length is 8.7 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

In operation, the extension would be driven by the Model 522 ratchet on the male end, with the female end holding the socket on the outside of the drive end, or possibly the universal or another extension.

Walden Early 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension

Fig. 37. Walden Early 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension, ca. 1918 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 37 shows a 1/2-drive Walden 6 inch extension, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." on the solid shank.

The overall length is 5.7 inches.

The drive stud of the extension is fitted with a detent ball and uses an inserted pin as a stop. The extension could be driven by the Model 522 ratchet directly using the outer walls, or by another 1/2-square stud using the inner walls.

This extension was acquired as part of the Walden No. 12 Socket Set shown above.

Walden Early 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension

Fig. 38. Walden Early 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension, ca. 1918 to Early 1920s.

Fig. 38 shows a 1/2-drive Walden 10 inch extension similar to the previous figure, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." on the solid shank.

The overall length is 9.6 inches.

This extension was acquired as part of the Walden No. 12 Socket Set shown above.

Walden Dual Spark-Plug Socket

Fig. 39. Walden Early 29/32x1-1/32 Dual Spark-Plug Socket.

Fig. 39 shows a Walden 29/32x1-1/32 dual spark-plug socket, stamped "Walden-Worcester" with the fractional sizes.

Fixed Socket Wrenches

In the years before 1920, fixed socket wrenches were the standard tools for automotive service, and Walden-Worcester offered the most extensive selection of these tools. Fixed socket wrenches were available in a number of different configurations, including Ell-handle, Tee-handle, speeders, double-socket, triple-socket, and others.

2620 5/8 Short Tee-Handle Socket Wrench

Fig. 40. Walden 2620 5/8 Short Tee-Handle Socket Wrench, with Inset for Detail, ca. 1916-1918.

Fig. 40 shows a Walden 2620 5/8 short Tee-handle socket wrench, marked "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Pdg." notice.

The overall length is 7.4 inches.

The patent pending status refers to patent #1,282,028, issued to W.S. Bellows on Oct. 22, 1918. The patent describes a method of crimping a socket onto a rod-shaped handle, and the patent date is very frequently cited on early Walden tools.

2718 9/16 Long Tee-Handle Socket Wrench

The Tee-handle socket wrenches were also available in a long version, as the next figure illustrates.

Fig. 41. Walden 2718 9/16 Long Tee-Handle Socket Wrench, with Inset for Detail, ca. 1916-1918.

Fig. 41 shows a Walden 2718 long Tee-handle socket wrench, marked "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Pdg." notice.

The overall length is 12.3 inches.

As with the previous figure, the patent pending notice refers to patent #1,282,028.

2720 5/8 Long Tee-Handle Socket Wrench

Fig. 42. Walden 2720 5/8 Long Tee-Handle Socket Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1918+.

Fig. 42 shows a later example, a Walden 2720 5/8 long Tee-handle socket wrench. The handle is stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" patent date, as shown in the inset.

The overall length is 12.3 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The patent date refers to patent #1,282,028. filed by W.S. Bellows in 1916 and issued in 1918.

"TeeFlex" Tee-Handle Universal Socket Wrenches

A popular variation on the Tee-handle socket wrench was the addition of a universal joint, to allow access in places where a straight wrench wouldn't fit. Walden offered a number of universal socket wrench models and coined the term "TeeFlex" for the product line, which was registered as trademark #130,244 in 1920.

1016 "TeeFlex" 1/2 Universal Socket Wrench

Fig. 43. Walden 1016 "TeeFlex" 1/2 Universal Socket Wrench, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. 1920+.

Fig. 43 shows a Walden 1016 "TeeFlex" 1/2 universal socket wrench, stamped "TeeFlex" and "Trademark Reg. U.S. Pat. Off." on the shank, along with "Walden Worcester", "Made in U.S.A.", and a "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" patent notice.

The overall length is 12.8 inches, and the finish is nickel plating, with some losses due to wear and rust.

The "TeeFlex" trademark was first used in 1919.

The patent date refers to the Bellows 1918 patent #1,282,028 frequently noted on early Walden tools. The patent describes a method of crimping a socket onto a rod-shaped handle.

1024 "TeeFlex" 3/4 Universal Socket Wrench

Fig. 44. Walden 1024 "TeeFlex" 3/4 Universal Socket Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1920+.

Fig. 44 shows a Walden 1024 "TeeFlex" 3/4 universal socket wrench, stamped "TeeFlex" and "Trademark Reg. U.S. Pat. Off." on the shank, along with "Walden Worcester", "Made in U.S.A.", and a "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" patent notice.

The overall length is 13.4 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The patent date refers to the Bellows 1918 patent #1,282,028 frequently noted on early Walden tools. The patent describes a method of crimping a socket onto a rod-shaped handle.

1028 "TeeFlex" 7/8 Universal Socket Wrench

Fig. 45. Walden 1028 "TeeFlex" 7/8 Universal Socket Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1920+.

Fig. 45 shows another example of the TeeFlex wrenches, a Walden 1028 7/8 universal socket wrench, stamped "TeeFlex Trademark Reg U.S. Pat Off" and "Walden-Worcester U.S.A.", plus a somewhat mangled patent date "Oct 22 22-18" that was meant as "Oct 22 1918".

The overall length is 14.0 inches.

The patent date refers to the Bellows 1918 patent #1,282,028 frequently noted on early Walden tools. The patent describes a method of crimping a socket onto a rod-shaped handle.

2522 11/16 Offset Socket Wrench

Fig. 46. Walden 2522 11/16 Offset Socket Wrench, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. 1918+.

Fig. 46 shows a Walden 2522 11/16 offset socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with the "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" patent date.

The overall length is 7.8 inches, and the finish is black paint.

The patent date refers to the Bellows 1918 patent #1,282,028 frequently cited on early Walden tools. The patent describes a method of crimping a socket onto a rod-shaped handle.

2524 3/4 Offset Socket Wrench

Fig. 47. Walden 2524 3/4 Offset Socket Wrench, with Inset for Detail, ca. 1918+.

Fig. 47 shows a Walden 2524 3/4 offset socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with the "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" patent date.

The overall length is 7.7 inches.

2526 13/16 Offset Socket Wrenches

The next two figures show examples of the 2526 offset socket wrench.

Fig. 48. Walden 2526 13/16 Offset Socket Wrench, ca. 1916-1918.

Fig. 48 shows an earlier Walden 2526 13/16 offset socket wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Pdg" notation.

The overall length is 7.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The patent pending marking refers to patent #1,282,028, issued to W.S. Bellows on Oct. 22, 1918 and very frequently cited on early Walden tools.

The patent describes a method of crimping a socket onto a rod-shaped handle.

Fig. 49. Walden 2526 13/16 Offset Socket Wrench, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. 1918+.

Fig. 49 shows a somewhat later Walden 2526 offset socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with the "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" patent date.

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

The patent date refers to the Bellows 1918 patent #1,282,028 frequently cited on early Walden tools.

The patent describes a method of crimping a socket onto a rod-shaped handle.

1424 3/4 Rim Brace Wrench

One of the most popular styles of fixed socket tools combined a crank-handle speeder with a permanently attached socket, with the resulting tool commonly called a speed (or brace) wrench. Walden offered this style in various configurations of length and throw, and with a range of socket sizes.

Our first example is a rim brace wrench, a tool designed for removing the nuts on demountable wheel rims.

Fig. 50. Walden 1424 3/4 Rim Brace Socket Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1918+.

Fig. 50 shows a Walden 1424 3/4 rim brace socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank, and with the "Pat. Sept. 2 1913 Oct. 22 1918" patent notices.

The wrench has a throw of 4.8 inches with an overall length of 13.3 inches.

The earlier patent date refers to the rarely cited early patent #1,072,079, issued to W.S. Bellows in 1913 and assigned to Walden Manufacturing.

The patent describes the construction details of a brace wrench similar to the present model, including details of the rotating hand grip and end piece.

The later patent date refers to the familiar Bellows 1918 patent #1,282,028 describing a method for securing the socket to a wrench shank.

The 14xx series of rim wrenches was available in five sizes, ranging from the model 1420 (5/8) up through 1428 (7/8).

1426 13/16 Rim Brace Wrench

Fig. 51. Walden 1426 13/16 Rim Brace Socket Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1913-1918.

Another example of the rim brace wrench is shown in Fig. 51, a Walden 1426 13/16 rim brace socket wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Sept. 2, 1913" notation. (The markings are a bit difficult to read due to rust and wear.)

The wrench has a throw of 5.0 inches with an overall length is 13.5 inches.

As with the previous example, the patent date refers to the rarely cited Bellows 1913 patent #1,072,079.

As the later 1918 patent isn't marked on this tool, this example was probably made between the two patent dates, i.e. 1913-1918.

6018 5/8 Speeder Socket Wrench

Fig. 52. Walden 6018 5/8 Speeder Socket Wrench, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. 1923 to Late 1920s.

Fig. 52 shows a Walden 6018 5/8 speeder socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" patent notice.

The overall length is 19.3 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

Although not marked with a patent notation, the spherical end-piece of this wrench is covered by patent #1,537,529, filed by S.R. Enberg in 1923 and issued in 1925.

6020 5/8 Speeder Socket Wrench

Fig. 53. Walden 6020 5/8 Speeder Socket Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1918-1920.

Fig. 53 shows a Walden 6020 5/8 speeder socket wrench, stamped "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" notation.

The overall length is 19.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The patent date indicates production in 1918 or later, but the end knob is believed to be a fairly early style, possibly with a wooden bearing.

The 60xx series of speed wrenches was available in ten sizes, ranging from the model 6014 (7/16) up through 6028 (7/8). Other similar speed wrenches included the short-shank model 6064 with a 1/2 socket, and the long-shank model 6218 with a 9/16 socket.

6418 9/16 Nut-Holding Socket Wrench Attachment

Fig. 54. Walden 6418 9/16 Nut-Holding Socket Wrench Attachment, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. 1918-1925.

Fig. 54 shows an unusual Walden 6418 9/16 nut-holding attachment, designed to install on a standard speeder wrench to hold a nut while the bolt is turned. The shank is stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A.", along with the "Pat. Pend." and "Dec. 21, 1915" patent notations.

The overall length is 8.8 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The lower left inset shows the 9/16 socket attached to a spring-loaded sliding bar, with the end bent to bring the socket into opposition with an installed socket wrench.

The patent date refers to patent #1,164,815, filed in 1915 by S.A. Hunter and issued later that year. This patent is interesting in that it was originally developed for tightening the teeth of a harrow, an agricultural implement. Apparently someone at Walden realized that it was equally applicable to a common problem in automotive maintenance, in which the head of a bolt may need to be held while the nut is removed. Walden is believed to have acquired the patent, although we haven't found a public record of the assignment.

In operation, the nut-holder was first installed on the shank of a Walden 6018 speeder wrench by removing the threaded end caps, placing the wrench shank in the two slots, and then securing the shank with the end caps. The combined tool now had two opposing 9/16 sockets, with the outer socket held by the spring-loaded sliding bar. The outer socket could now be placed over a nut while the speeder socket engaged the bolt head, and the bolt could be loosened (or tightened) while the nut was held. The attachment could also be used with a Walden 2718 Long Tee Wrench.

This Walden tool is believed to have been the first of its type for automotive work, although similar tools were later offered by other tool companies. Most (if not all) of the competing models were built as modified speeder wrenches with a permanently installed nut-holding extension. An example can be seen as the Blackhawk 6218 Nut-Holding Speeder Wrench.

Walden did not appreciate Blackhawk's infringement of this patent, and in the early 1920s filed a patent infringement claim (in addition to other legal actions) against Blackhawk. The fact that they could file a patent infringement claim implies that Walden owned the patent, rather than having just licensed it, as there is legal precedent that only the owner of a patent can claim infringement.

Walden-Worcester 756 7/16x1/2 Ell-Shaped Double Socket Wrench

Fig. 55. Walden 756 7/16x1/2 Ell-Shaped Double Socket Wrench, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. 1916-1918.

Fig. 55 shows an early Walden 756 7/16x1/2 Ell-shaped double socket wrench, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Pdg." patent notice. (The markings have been partially obscured by rust and pitting, making them difficult to read.)

The overall length is 5.7 inches, and the finish is nickel plating with losses due to rust.

The patent pending marking refers to patent #1,282,028, issued to W.S. Bellows on Oct. 22, 1918 and very frequently cited on early Walden tools. The patent describes a method of crimping a socket onto a rod-shaped handle.

Walden-Worcester 1881 9/16x9/16 Double Socket Wrench

Fig. 56. Walden 1881 9/16x9/16 Double Socket Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 56 shows a Walden 1881 9/16x9/16 double socket wrench with hex and square broachings, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with the fractional sizes, and with a "Pat. Pend." patent notice.

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

Walden-Worcester 2418 9/16x3/4 Double Socket Wrench

Fig. 57. Walden 2418 9/16x3/4 Double Socket Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 57 shows a Walden 2418 9/16x3/4 double socket wrench, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with the fractional sizes.

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

Walden-Worcester 4042 11/16x3/4 Double-Socket Wrench

Fig. 58. Walden 4042 11/16x3/4 Double-Socket Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. Late 1920s.

Fig. 58 shows a Walden 4042 11/16x3/4 double-socket wrench with double-hex broachings, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank, and with a "Pat. Apr. 14, 1925" patent notice.

The overall length is 8.4 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

The patent date refers to patent #1,533,785, filed by W.S. Bellows in 1924 and issued in 1925. The patent describes a method of securing a socket to a shank for construction of tools such as this example.

Walden-Worcester 762 1x1-1/16 Double-Socket Wrench

Fig. 59. Walden 762 1x1-1/16 Socket Wrench, with Inset for Detail.

Fig. 59 shows a Walden 762 1x1-1/16 socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 11.0 inches.

Walden-Worcester 5810 5/8 Socket Wrench for Ford Connecting Rods

Fig. 60. Walden 5810 5/8 Socket Wrench, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail.

Fig. 60 shows a Walden 5810 5/8 offset socket wrench with a curled handle, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A.", and with a "Pat. Pend." notice as well.

The overall length is 11.6 inches. The original finish was nickel plating, but most has been lost due to rust.

This wrench was a popular model intended for servicing the 4th connecting rod of the Model T Ford.

Walden-Worcester 1620 "Tomahawk" (1/2x5/8)x5/8 Triple Socket Wrench

The next figure shows an example of Walden's use of the "Tomahawk" trademark, offering iron-clad proof (iron-stamped at least) of Walden's claim to the mark.

Fig. 61. Walden 1620 (1/2x5/8)x5/8 Triple Socket Wrench, with Inset for Detail, ca. 1918+.

Fig. 61 shows a Walden 1620 (1/2x5/8)x5/8 triple-socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" with "Made in U.S.A." and "Pat. Oct. 22 1918", and with "Tomahawk" plus "Trade Mark Reg. U.S. Pat. Off." noted below.

The overall length is 9.7 inches.

Walden-Worcester 1622 (1/2x5/8)x9/16(SQ) Socket Wrench

Fig. 62. Walden 1622 (1/2x5/8)x9/16SQ Socket Wrench, with Inset for Detail.

Fig. 62 shows a Walden 1622 (1/2x5/8)x9/16SQ triple-socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" with "Made in U.S.A." and "Pat. Pend" on the shank.

The overall length is 9.2 inches.

The 1922 Walden catalog recommends the No. 1622 wrench for several service applications on Maxwell cars, including the rear axle housing, spring clips, and fly-wheel housing.

Walden-Worcester 3620 5/8x15/16 Head Bolt and Spark-Plug Wrench

Fig. 63. Walden 3620 5/8x15/16 Head Bolt and Spark-Plug Wrench, ca. 1916-1918.

Fig. 63 shows a Walden 3620 specialty wrench with a 5/8 socket and a 15/16 box end, intended for servicing the head bolts (5/8) and spark plugs (15/16) on Model T Fords. The wrench is marked "U.S.A." with a "Pat. Pend." notation.

The overall length is 11.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The spark-plug opening has a significant offset, and this wrench provides an example of a very early offset box-end wrench. Blackhawk produced a very similar Blackhawk 4230 Wrench, and Herbrand made an open-end/box-end Herbrand 2334 Wrench for the same Model T application.

Walden-Worcester 3822 11/16 Ford Flywheel Capscrew Socket Wrench

Fig. 64. Walden 3822 11/16 Flywheel Cap Screw Wrench, ca. 1916-1918.

Fig. 64 shows a fine example of the Walden 3822 11/16 specialty socket wrench, designed for servicing flywheel capscrews on the Ford Model T. The shank is stamped "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Pend." notation.

The overall length is 12.0 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

This wrench was designed to service the Ford Model T flywheel capscrews, which due to their awkward location required a special wrench with an offset shank. Several other companies produced similar wrenches, and examples can be seen as the Bog Flywheel Capscrew Socket Wrench or Blackhawk 4122 Socket Wrench. The official Ford service tool for this application specified an offset open-end wrench, such as the Herbrand 5Z-210 Flywheel Capscrew Wrench.

Walden-Worcester 4248 1-1/2 Ell Socket Wrench

Fig. 65. Walden 4248 1-1/2 Ell Socket Wrench, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. Mid to Late 1920s.

Fig. 65 shows a Walden 4248 1-1/2 hex socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Pdg." notation.

The overall length is 18.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The Walden 42xx series wrenches were listed in the 1928 catalog as "Heavy-Duty Offset Wrenches", with sizes ranging from model 4228 (7/8) up to 4264 (2 Inch).

Walden-Worcester 1520 5/8 Brace Socket Wrench

The next two figures show an interesting design from the mid-1920s Walden workshop, a novel improvement on the brace (speeder) socket wrench, and invented by an engineer credited with several other Walden patents as well.

Fig. 66. Walden 1520 5/8 Brace Socket Wrench, with Inset for Detail, ca. 1922-1925.

Fig. 66 shows a rarely-seen Walden 1520 5/8 brace (or speeder) socket wrench, notable for the distinctive extra loop in the handle. The wrench is marked "Walden-Worcester" and "U.S.A.", along with the patent date "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" and a "Pat. Pend." notation.

The maximum throw is 5.8 inches, and the overall length is 15.0 inches.

The original finish was nickel plating, but only a few traces remain in the otherwise uniformly rusty surface. Despite the rust, the wrench is in excellent working condition, with smoothly rotating hand grips and little wear to the socket.

The patent date refers to the Walden's well-known patent #1,282,028, covering the attachment of the socket to the handle. More interesting is the pending notation, which corresponds to patent #1,553,068, issued to A.E. Carlberg in 1925 for the speeder socket wrench design. As the patent was filed in 1922, this wrench was likely made in 1922-1925.

The design for a brace or speeder wrench normally requires a tradeoff, with a larger throw desirable for greater leverage, but a smaller throw preferred for speed. By adding the extra offset loop for greater leverage, but with the rotating grip at a smaller offset, Carlberg's design provides both leverage and speed.

Only two catalog references are available for this model series, the 1924 catalog "F" from Ducommun Corporation, and the 1924 Waterhouse & Lester catalog No. 20. The tools are referred to there as "Brace Socket Wrenches", and were intended primarily as rim wrenches, though the catalogs mention their utility for other purposes as well. Four sizes were available in models 1520 (5/8) through 1528 (7/8), all with the same $1.10 price.

A very similar model series with a longer shank, but without the rotating hand grip, is shown as the 70xx series in the Ducommun, Waterhouse, and 1925 Williams Hardware catalogs. These longer models were given the impressive name "Double Power Speed Wrenches", and were available in ten sizes ranging from model 7014 (7/16) up through 7028 (7/8). The price was listed at $1.00 in the 1924 catalog.

Walden-Worcester 7018 9/16 Long Brace Socket Wrench

Fig. 67. Walden 7018 9/16 Long Brace Socket Wrench, with Inset for Detail, ca. 1922-1925.

An example of the long version of the brace socket wrench is shown in Fig. 67, a Walden 7018 9/16 long brace socket wrench. The wrench is marked "Walden-Worcester" and "U.S.A.", along with the patent date "Pat. Oct. 22, 1918" and a "Pats. Pdg." notation.

The maximum throw is 5.8 inches, and the overall length is 20.0 inches. The finish is nickel plating.

The pending notation refers to the 1925 Carlberg patent #1,553,068, as discussed in the previous figure. As the patent was filed in 1922, this wrench was likely made in 1922-1925.

The Walden 70xx series speeders were listed under the impressive name "Double Power Speed Wrenches" in the 1924 Ducommun, 1924 Waterhouse, and 1925 Williams Hardware catalogs. Ten sizes were available, ranging from the model 7014 (7/16) up through 7028 (7/8), and all models were priced at $1.00 in the Ducommun catalog.

Walden-Worcester 450 Head-Bolt Specialty Wrench

This next figure illustrates a specialty wrench of very interesting design, intended for head bolts and similar applications with obstructed access. The inventor was A.E. Carlberg, the same engineer responsible for our previous figure.

Fig. 68. Walden 450 5/8 Head-Bolt Specialty Wrench, ca. 1922 to Late 1920s.

Fig. 68 shows a Walden 450 5/8 head-bolt wrench, with a swing-arm to provide leverage at various angles.

The finish is plain steel.

This wrench was found to be covered by patent RE16,354, issued to A.E. Carlberg in 1926.

Walden-Worcester 774 5/8 "Swivel Action" Socket Wrench

This next figure illustrates a distinctive type of swiveling socket wrench developed by Walden in the 1920s.

Fig. 69. Walden 774 5/8 "Swivel Action" Socket Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1922-1926.

Fig. 69 shows a Walden 774 5/8 offset "swivel action" socket wrench, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "U.S.A." on the shank with a "Pat. Pdg." patent notice.

The overall length is 14.4 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The model 774 wrench was intended primarily for connecting-rod service. A full-page ad for this wrench can be seen in an earlier figure.

A similar model 775 wrench with a 9/16 square socket was designed primarily for main bearing service.

This type of swiveling socket wrench is covered by patent #1,613,976, filed by W.S. Bellows in 1922 but not issued until 1927.

Walden-Worcester 01824 9/16x3/4 "Swivel Action" Double Socket Wrench

Walden also used its "swivel action" patent for double socket wrenches, as this next figure illustrates.

Fig. 70. Walden 01824 9/16x3/4 Swiveling Double Socket Wrench, with Insets for Side View, Construction, and Marking Detail, ca. 1922-1926.

Fig. 70 shows a Walden 01824 swiveling double socket wrench with sizes 9/16 square and 3/4 double-hex. The shank is stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A.", with a "Pat. Pdg." patent notice.

The overall length is 14.4 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The swiveling socket wrench design is covered by patent #1,613,976, filed by W.S. Bellows in 1922 and issued in 1927.

Walden-Worcester 1452 4-Way Multi-Socket Rim Wrench

Fig. 71. Walden 1452 4-Way Rim Wrench, with Insets for Top View and Marking Detail, ca. 1925-1926.

Fig. 71 shows a Walden 1452 4-way rim wrench with a rotating socket selector, stamped "Walden-Worcester" and "U.S.A." near the handle, along with a "Pat. Pdg." notation.

The rotating socket carrier is also stamped "Pat. Oct. 22, '18" (not shown), a reference to patent #1,282,028 for Walden's method of attaching sockets.

The socket carrier is a forged or cast spider with four arms, each with a socket attached using the patented method.

The socket sizes are not marked, but were listed as 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, and 7/8.

The throw is 4.0 inches and the overall length is 13.0 inches. The finish is nickel plating, with extensive losses due to rust.

This tool was listed on page 1489 of the 1925 Dunham Carrigan catalog, currently our earliest reference to this model.

In addition, the 1928 Stevens Walden catalog listed a very similar No. 1453 4-way rim wrench, with the only apparent difference being a rotating hand grip.

This type of 4-way brace socket wrench was first offered around 1923 with the Blackhawk 5104 4-In-1 Rim Wrench, which uses a different mechanism to carry and select the sockets.

Although we can't be certain, it appears that the pending notation on this tool refers to patent #1,693,976, which describes a pivoting socket wrench, though not specifically a brace wrench. This patent was filed by W.S. Bellows in 1922 and not issued until 1927, so it would have been pending in 1925 when this tool was first offered.

An example of this patent can be seen in the Walden 774 Swiveling Socket Wrench, which has a double socket pivoting on a straight handle. If you imagine the double socket of the model 774 wrench replaced by a cluster of four sockets, and the straight handle bent into a brace handle, the applicability of the patent becomes apparent.

Walden-Worcester X1848 3/4 Brace Socket Wrench

Fig. 72. Walden X1848 Brace Socket Wrench, with Insets for Marking Detail.

Fig. 72 shows a Walden X1848 3/4 brace socket wrench, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "U.S.A." with "Pat. Oct. 22 1918" on the shank. The back side shank is marked with "03522" and "Motor Wheel Corp.", presumably the customer for a contract production order.

The overall length is 17.1 inches and the throw is 4.9 inches. The finish is nickel plating.

The patent date refers to the frequently noted Bellows 1918 patent #1,282,028 for the method of attaching the socket to the handle.

Walden-Worcester X1960 Lug Wrench

Fig. 73. Walden X1960 Lug Wrench, with Insets for Marking Detail.

Fig. 73 shows a Walden X1960 3/4 lug wrench, marked "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with the patent notice "Pat. 1559543".

The overall length is 10.8 inches.

This wrench is covered by patent #1,559,543, issued to F.H. Bellows in 1925.

Other Tools

Stamped Wrenches

Walden-Worcester Early 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 74. Walden Early 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench, ca. 1918-1920.

Fig. 74 shows an early Walden 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench of stamped-steel construction, marked "Walden-Worcester" and "U.S.A." on the flat shank.

The overall length is 5.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This wrench was acquired as part of the Walden No. 12 Combination Wrench Set shown previously.

Walden-Worcester Early 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 75. Walden Early 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench, ca. 1918-1920.

Fig. 75 shows an early Walden 5/8x3/4 open-end wrench of stamped-steel construction, marked "Walden-Worcester" and "U.S.A." on the flat shank.

The overall length is 7.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This wrench was acquired as part of the Walden No. 12 Combination Wrench Set shown previously.

Walden-Worcester Early 7/8x1 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 76. Walden Early 7/8x1 Open-End Wrench, ca. 1918-1920.

Fig. 76 shows an early Walden 7/8x1 open-end wrench of stamped-steel construction, marked "Walden-Worcester" and "U.S.A." on the flat shank.

The overall length is 9.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This wrench was acquired as part of the Walden No. 12 Combination Wrench Set shown previously.

Specialty Tools

Walden-Worcester VG2 Valve Grinding Speeder

Fig. 77. Walden VG2 Valve Grinding Speeder, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 77 shows a Walden VG2 valve grinding speeder, stamped "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank. The circular end piece is also marked "Patents Pending" (not shown).

The overall length is 18.6 inches and the throw is 4.0 inches. The original finish was nickel plating, but only a few traces remain.

Walden-Worcester L3 Cylinder Head Lifter Wrench

Fig. 78. Walden L3 Cylinder Head Lifter, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. 1926-1927.

Fig. 78 shows an unusual Walden L3 Tee-handle cylinder head lifter, marked "Walden Worcester" and "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Pend." patent notice.

The overall length is 7.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel with some of the original nickel plating.

The patent pending status corresponds to the patent #1,635,259, filed by J.V. Critchley in 1926 and issued in 1927.

In operation, the Tee handle is used to screw the stepped plug into a spark-plug hole. After two (or more, as needed) lifters have been installed, the cylinder head can then be lifted by the handles.

This tool was listed on page 19 of the Stevens Walden catalog No. 263 from around 1928. The price was $2 per pair, dealer net.