Armstrong Bros. Tool Company

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Early Tools
• Alloy Steel Tools
• Sockets and Drive Tools
• The Armaloy Era
• Specialty Tools
• References and Resources
• What's New (Last Updated Oct. 28, 2009)
  Recent changes to this page:

  • 10/28/2009: Added an Armstrong 1705 Single-Open Wrench.
  • 08/26/2009: Added an Armstrong 424 Tappet Wrench.
  • 08/01/2009: Added an Armstrong 1734 (TKKX4B) Open-End Wrench.
  • 06/19/2009: Added an Armstrong 661D S-Shaped Wrench.
  • 06/18/2009: Added an Armstrong 1033-C Open-End Wrench.
  • 06/13/2009: Added an Armstrong HD-1240 3/4-Drive Deep Socket.
  • 06/06/2009: Added an Armstrong-Vanadium 8727 Offset Box Wrench.
  • 06/05/2009: Added an Armstrong 1730 (TKKX20) Open-End Wrench.
  • 06/04/2009: Added an Armstrong-Vanadium 422 Tappet Wrench.
  • 06/03/2009: Added an Armstrong (Caterpiller) 5B786 Open-End Wrench.
  • 05/21/2009: Added an Armstrong-Vanadium 1033-C Open-End Wrench.
  • 05/20/2009: Added an Armstrong 607-A Single-Open Check-Nut Wrench.
  • 05/11/2009: Added an Armstrong 9729-A Short Offset Box Wrench.
  • 04/18/2009: Added an Armstrong H-15 Open-End Wrench.
  • 04/13/2009: Added an Armstrong-Vanadium 1028-S Open-End Wrench.
  • 03/29/2009: Added an Armstrong No. 2 Toolpost Wrench.
  • 03/16/2009: Added an Armstrong 1166 Combination Wrench.
  • 02/26/2009: Added an Armstrong X-1258 1 Inch Hex Drive Socket.
  • 01/14/2009: Added an Armstrong H-115P 3/4-Drive Extension.
  • 01/04/2009: Added an Armstrong Early X-1252 1 Inch Hex Drive Socket.
  • 01/03/2009: Added an Armstrong Armaloy 1167 Combination Wrench.
  • 12/27/2008: Added an Armstrong Armaloy 1729 Open-End Wrench.
  • 12/24/2008: Added an Armstrong (Caterpiller) 5B782 Open-End Wrench and an Armstrong Armaloy 1029 Open-End Wrench.
  • 11/30/2008: Added an Armstrong Armaloy 1021-S Open-End Wrench.
  • 09/22/2008: Added an Armstrong Armaloy 9725 Offset Box Wrench.
  • 09/04/2008: Added an Armstrong 8028-A Offset Box Wrench.
  • 08/28/2008: Added an Armstrong 8723 Offset Box Wrench.
  • 08/22/2008: Added an Armstrong H-1254 3/4-Drive Socket.
  • 08/17/2008: Added an Armstrong Armaloy 8025 Offset Box Wrench.
  • 08/12/2008: Added an Armstrong S-51 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 08/09/2008: Added an Armstrong 1160 Combination Wrench.
  • 08/08/2008: Added an Armstrong No. 21 1/2-Drive Socket Set and an Armstrong 1170-L Combination Wrench.
  • 07/31/2008: Added an Armstrong 1623-C Check-Nut Wrench.
  • 07/27/2008: Added an Armstrong 2415 Box Wrench and an Armstrong 9729-A Short Offset Box Wrench.
  • 07/13/2008: Split into four pages, added an Armstrong-Vanadium 1077-B S-Shaped Open-End Wrench.
  • 07/09/2008: Added an Armstrong-Vanadium 1023 Open-End Wrench.
  • 07/05/2008: Added an Armstrong 1039-B Open-End Wrench.
  • 06/30/2008: Added an Armstrong 1172-L Combination Wrench.
  • 06/07/2008: Added an Armstrong 1122 Ignition Wrench.
  • 05/27/2008: Added an Armstrong 1728 Open-End Wrench.
  • 04/06/2008: Added an Armstrong H-140 3/4-Drive Universal.
  • 03/01/2008: Added an Armstrong S-40 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bar.
  • 02/21/2008: Added an Armstrong H-1230 3/4-Drive Socket.
  • 02/01/2008: Added an Armstrong ST-1240 1/2-Drive Socket.
  • 01/24/2008: Added an Armstrong 1168-L Combination Wrench and an Armstrong 25-524 Flex-Socket Combination Wrench.
  • 01/22/2008: Added an Armstrong S-818 1/2-Drive Socket.
  • 01/20/2008: Added an Armstrong 8033 Offset Box Wrench.
  • 01/17/2008: Added an Armstrong 31 Open-End Wrench.
  • 01/15/2008: Added an Armstrong H-1231 3/4-Drive Socket.
  • 01/09/2008: Added an Armstrong 903 Open-End Spud Wrench.
  • 01/05/2008: Added an Armstrong S-91 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 12/21/2007: Added an Armstrong Armaloy ST-1222 1/2-Drive Socket.
  • 12/20/2007: Added an Armstrong S-1224 1/2-Drive Socket and an Armstrong ST-1224 1/2-Drive Socket.
  • 12/19/2007: Added an Armstrong XX-110 1 Inch Drive Extension.
  • 12/15/2007: Added an Armstrong Armaloy H-110 3/4-Drive Extension.
  • 12/13/2007: Added an Armstrong Early 807 Single-Box Wrench.
  • 12/12/2007: Added an Armstrong H-20A 3/4-Drive Breaker Bar, an Armstrong XX-50 1 Inch Drive Ratchet, and an Armstrong XX-1284 1 Inch Drive Socket.
  • 12/11/2007: Added an Armstrong Armaloy ST-1234 1/2-Drive Socket.
  • 12/06/2007: Added Armstrong Armaloy H-12xx 3/4-Drive Sockets.
  • 12/05/2007: Added an Armstrong Armaloy H-15 3/4-Drive Socket Set.
  • 11/17/2007: Added an Armstrong S-110P 1/2-Drive Extension.
  • 11/15/2007: Added an Armstrong S-20A 1/2-Drive Breaker Bar.
  • 11/09/2007: Added an Armstrong 661G S-Shaped Wrench.
  • 10/14/2007: Added an Armstrong T-4 Specialty Wrench.
  • 10/09/2007: Added an Armstrong 1159-A Combination Wrench.
  • 09/28/2007: Updated catalog info.
  • 09/05/2007: Added patent dates from catalog.
  • 07/07/2007: Added an Armstrong XX-1264 1 Inch Drive Socket.
  • 07/06/2007: Added an Armstrong XX-1258 1 Inch Drive Socket.
  • 06/16/2007: Added an Armstrong S-15 1/2-Drive Speeder.
  • 06/05/2007: Added an Armstrong HA-51 3/4-Drive Ratchet and an Armstrong H-115 3/4-Drive Extension.
  • 06/04/2007: Added an Armstrong 1731-A Open-End Wrench, an Armstrong H-140 3/4-Drive Universal, and an Armstrong H-1258 3/4-Drive Socket.
  • 06/03/2007: Added patents.
  • 05/28/2007: Added an Armstrong Armaloy 4122 Flare-Nut Wrench.
  • 05/25/2007: Added an Armstrong S-41 1/2-Drive Breaker Bar.
  • 04/27/2007: Added patent table.
  • 04/21/2007: Added an Armstrong-Vanadium 1033-A Open-End Wrench.
  • 04/09/2007: Added an Armstrong X-1268 1 Inch Drive Socket.
  • 02/14/2007: Added an Armstrong 637 Check-Nut Wrench.
  • 01/05/2007: Added an Armstrong 7725 Box-End Wrench.
  • 01/02/2007: Added an Armstrong 1727 Open-End Wrench.
  • 12/20/2006: Added an Armstrong 1163 Combination Wrench and an Armstrong 1166 Combination Wrench.
  • 12/16/2006: Added an Armstrong 6725 Box-End Wrench.
  • 12/08/2006: Added a rare 2028 Obstruction Wrench.
  • 11/01/2006: Renumbered figures.
  • 10/25/2006: Added a S-50 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 10/13/2006: Added a 7729-A Hi-Tensile Box-End Wrench.
  • 10/10/2006: Added a 1731 Alloy Open-End Wrench.
  • 10/07/2006: Added a 5037 Heavy-Duty Offset Box-End Wrench.
  • 10/02/2006: Added a 7731-A Box-End Wrench.
  • 09/29/2006: Added a M-51 9/32-Drive Ratchet.
  • 09/28/2006: Split into two pages, added a 2426 Special Box-End Wrench and a 8727 Offset Box-End Wrench.
  • 09/25/2006: Added a 1029 Open-End Wrench.
  • 09/23/2006: Added a F-51 3/8-Drive Ratchet.
  • 09/19/2006: Added a S-91 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 09/16/2006: Added a NMA-51 1/4-Drive Ratchet.
  • 09/13/2006: Added a F-91 3/8-Drive Ratchet.
  • 09/12/2006: Added a S-115 1/2-Drive Rotating-Grip Extension.
  • 09/11/2006: Added a S-140 1/2-Drive Universal.
  • 09/10/2006: Added a FA-50 3/8-Drive Ratchet.
  • 09/09/2006: Added a SA-51 1/2-Drive Ratchet and a FA-51 3/8-Drive Ratchet.
  • 09/08/2006: Added a S-50 1/2-Drive Ratchet and a S-110 1/2-Drive Rotating-Grip Extension.
  • 08/20/2006: Added a S-51 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 08/12/2006: Added a 624-A Check-Nut Wrench.
  • 08/05/2006: Added page, no content yet.

Introduction

Company History

The Armstrong Bros. Tool Company began in 1890 as a maker of bicycle parts and service tools, founded in Chicago by four brothers. Their first manufacturing operations were conducted literally from a backyard wooden shed, and the brothers also operated a retail store for their bicycle parts.

In 1895 Armstrong introduced what would become their first major product, a tool holder for lathe cutting bits. Developed from their own manufacturing operations, the Armstrong tool holder was a forged handle that accepted small interchangeable cutting bits, thereby replacing the individually forged cutting tools previously required. This dramatically reduced the time and expense involved in making lathe cutting tools, and it's fair to say that these tool holders revolutionized the industry.

With the success of the tool holder, in 1900 Armstrong built their first real factory at 617 Austin Avenue in Chicago. This was replaced a few years later in 1905 by a 100,000 square foot brick factory at 317 N. Francisco Avenue, a site they would occupy for many years.

Up until 1909 Armstrong concentrated primarily on tool holders and related products, but in 1909 they started producing a line of drop-forged wrenches. This line of tools continued to expand over the years.

In 1948 the company moved from the Francisco Avenue site to 5200 W. Armstrong Avenue, where they remain today. A second manufacturing facility was added in 1974, located in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

In 1994 Armstrong was acquired by the Danaher Group, a conglomerate with other tool company holdings including Allen, K-D, Matco, and Moore Drop Forging. Armstrong operates now as the Industrial Hand Tools division of Danaher.

More information on the history and development of Armstrong is available from the company's www.armstrongtools.com web site.

Patents

Armstrong was a highly innovative organization from its beginning, and received (or licensed) many patents over the years. Their early catalogs even include a list of patent dates in the front, a thoughtful addition that would have been more useful if the patent numbers had been included as well.

Trademarks

Armstrong registered a number of trademarks, including the well-known Strong-Arm logo, the Armstrong name, and "Armaloy", their trademark for alloy-steel tools.

Tool Identification

Armstrong tools are generally clearly marked with the Armstrong name or trademarked logo, and so are easy to identify. Early tools may be marked with symbol consisting of an "A" within a triangle, referred to here as the A-Triangle logo.

Manufacturing Dates

Armstrong is not known to have used any kind of a date code marking for its tools. Without such markings, any estimation of manufacturing dates will have to be based on other information, such as the design or style, patents, trademarks, finish, and so on.

Probably the most important date marker for Armstrong tools is the "Armaloy" trademark, registered in 1946 and (presumably) marked on alloy-steel tools shortly after that. In this article we'll assume a manufacturing date of 1947 or later for Armaloy-marked tools.

Another useful indication of the manufacturing date follows from the 1978 introduction of a new product numbering system. The new system assigned a five digit model number to all tools, with part of the number indicating a category for the tool and the final digits typically encoding the size. The new model numbers were first used in Armstrong catalog 880 of 1978, and that catalog includes a cross-reference table of old and new numbers.

The following observations and events may be helpful in estimating the manufacturing date for some tools.

• Chrome-Vanadium Marking. Armstrong alloy steel tools were generally marked "Chrome-Vanadium" (or equivalent) beginning in the mid 1920s. This marking is believed to have remained in use until sometime during WWII, after which it was typically replaced by "Alloy Steel".
• Alloy Steel Marking. In Catalog 39b Armstrong changed the steel specification for sockets and drive tools to "Alloy Steel" from the prior "Chrome Vanadium Steel". This was the second of the interim wartime-era catalogs and was likely published around 1944.
• Hi-Tensile Marking. This marking is believed to have been first used in 1942-1945 to indicate the substitution of high tensile strength steel for the alloy normally used.
• Armaloy Trademark. Marked on alloy steel tools, first used in 1946. In use until 1980s?
• Locking Hole for Sockets. From the early 1930s onward Armstrong provided a single locking hole in the drive end of sockets, instead of recesses in the drive wall. The locking hole remained in production until at least the 1970s, but was eventually replaced by recesses on the drive end walls.
• Wide-Groove Style for Sockets. Sockets were made with a single wide groove at the base beginning in the late 1940s, replacing the earlier knurled band. The wide-groove style remained in use until approximately 1970.
• Narrow-Groove Style for Sockets. Sockets were made with a single narrow groove at the base beginning around 1970.
• Drive-End Recesses for Sockets. Armstrong began using recesses on the drive end of sockets sometime in the 1970s or later, replacing the locking holes used up to that time. Examples are known of narrow-groove style sockets with drive-end recesses.
• Five-Digit Model Number System. In 1978 Armstrong switched to a five-digit model numbering system, first published in catalog 880.
• Double-Groove Style for Sockets. Sockets were made with a two narrow grooves at the base beginning sometime after 1978.

Early Tools

Carbon steel was the dominant material for toolmaking until around the mid 1920s, when various alloy steels came into general use.

No. 2 7/16 Toolpost Wrench

Fig. 1. Armstrong No. 2 7/16 Toolpost Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1900-1920.

Fig. 1 shows an early Armstrong No. 2 7/16 toolpost wrench, marked with "Armstrong" forged into the shank, with "No. 2" forged into the reverse.

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

1623-C 7/16x9/16 Check-Nut Wrench

Fig. 2. Armstrong 1623-C 7/16x1/2 Check-Nut Wrench, with Inset for Reverse, ca. Early 1920s.

Fig. 2 shows a rare early Armstrong 1623-C 7/16x1/2 check-nut wrench, stamped "Armstrong Bros. Tool Co." and "Chicago, U.S.A." on the face, with the A-Triangle logo forged into the shank. The reverse faces are stamped with the opening sizes as "5/16 S.A.E." and "1/4 S.A.E.", references to the older S.A.E. size convention.

The overall length is 4.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The wrench is listed in the automotive section of the 1921 Armstrong catalog.

629C 3/4x7/8 Check-Nut Wrench

Fig. 3. Armstrong 629C 3/4x7/8 Check-Nut Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 3 shows an Armstrong 629C 3/4x7/8 open-end check-nut (thin) wrench, marked "Armstrong Chicago U.S.A." on the face, with a forged-in A-Triangle logo on the shank. The overall length is 6.5 inches.

The inset shows the reverse side markings, with the model number "629" in raised letters and "C" stamped into the shank. The mix of forged-in and stamped markings probably indicates that one forged blank could be used to make several wrench models.

661D 5/16x3/8 S-Shaped Wrench

Fig. 4. Armstrong 661D 5/16x3/8 S-Shaped Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. Late 1920s.

Fig. 4 shows an Armstrong 661D 5/16x3/8 S-shaped open-end wrench, marked with the A-Triangle logo forged into the shank, with the model number forged into the reverse.

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

The Armstrong catalog lists this model for use with hex capscrew sizes 1/8 and 3/16, corresponding to the fractional opening sizes 5/16 and 3/8, as stamped on the wrench faces. The use of A-Triangle logo with fractional size markings suggests production in the late 1920s.

807 1-1/16 Single-Box Wrench

Fig. 5. Armstrong 807 1-1/16 Single-Box Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 5 shows an early Armstrong 807 1-1/16 hex single-box wrench, marked with the model number forged into the shank, and with the A-Triangle logo forged into the reverse.

The overall length is 9.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

903 11/16 Single-Open Spud Wrench

Fig. 6. Armstrong 903 11/16 Single-Open Spud Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 6 shows an early Armstrong 903 11/16 open-end spud wrench, marked with the model number and A-Triangle logo forged into the shank, and stamped "Hardened" on top.

The overall length is 8.9 inches, although part of the pointed handle appears to have been broken off. The finish is plain steel.

The opening is stamped "3/8 NUT", a reference to the U.S.S. Size Convention used on older wrenches.

Later Carbon-Steel Tools

Armstrong continued to produce certain tools in carbon steel models even after the widespread adoption of alloy steels, for applications where the greater strength (but higher cost) of alloy steel was not needed.

31 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 7. Armstrong 31 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 7 shows an Armstrong 31 25/32x7/8 open-end wrench, stamped on the face with "Armstrong" and "Made in U.S.A." with the Strong-Arm logo.

The overall length is 9.4 inches, and the finish is gray paint with polished faces.

5B782 (Caterpillar) 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 8. Armstrong 5B782 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 8 shows an Armstrong 5B782 9/16x5/8 open-end wrench, stamped "Made in U.S.A." with the Strong-Arm logo on the face.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of black paint,

Several sources have suggested that open-end wrenches in the 5B78x model series were made for Caterpillar, so this wrench has been provisionally identified as production for Caterpillar.

Similar wrenches were also produced by Billings and can be seen as the Billings 5B784 Wrench and Billings 5B785 Wrench.

5B786 (Caterpillar) 1-1/16x1-1/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 9. Armstrong 5B786 1-1/16x1-1/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 9 shows an Armstrong 5B786 1-1/16x1-1/8 open-end wrench, stamped "Made in U.S.A." with the Strong-Arm logo on the face.

The overall length is 11.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of black paint,

Several sources have suggested that open-end wrenches in the 5B78x model series were made for Caterpillar, so this wrench has been provisionally identified as production for Caterpillar.

624-A 7/16x9/16 Check-Nut Wrench

Fig. 10. Armstrong 624-A 7/16x9/16 Check-Nut Wrench.

637 1-1/16x1-1/4 Check-Nut Wrench

Fig. 11. Armstrong 637 1-1/16x1-1/4 Check-Nut Wrench.

Fig. 11 shows a later checknut wrench, an Armstrong 637 1-1/16 by 1-1/4 thin open-end wrench, stamped on the face with "Armstrong" and "Made in U.S.A." with the Strong-Arm logo.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the finish is gray paint with polished faces.

607-A 1-1/8 Single-Open Check-Nut Wrench

Fig. 12. Armstrong 607-A 1-1/8 Single-Open Check-Nut Wrench.

Fig. 12 shows an Armstrong 607-A 1-1/8 single-open check-nut wrench, stamped "Armstrong" and "Made in U.S.A." with the Strong-Arm logo on the face. The shank is stamped with the model number and also has a forged-in Strong-Arm logo, visible at the left.

The overall length is 8.5 inches, and the finish is gray paint with polished faces.

661G 3/8x1/2 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench

Fig. 13. Armstrong 661G 3/8x1/2 S-Shaped Open-End Wrench.

Fig. 13 shows an Armstrong 661G 3/8x1/2 S-shaped open-end wrench, stamped on the face with "Armstrong" and "Made in U.S.A." with the Strong-Arm logo.

The overall length is 4.0 inches. The original finish was black paint, but most of the paint has been worn off.

This wrench is listed in the catalogs as a heavy-duty model for hex-head cap screws.