Braunsdorf-Mueller Corporation

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Selected Tools
• References and Resources
• What's New (Last Updated Nov. 26, 2011)
  Recent changes to this page:

  • 11/26/2011: Moved to separate page.
  • 04/10/2011: Added a Braunsdorf Mueller 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 03/17/2011: Added a BMCo 3/8 Bearing Scraper.
  • 11/06/2010: Added a BMCo 3/4 Arch Hole Punch.
  • 07/30/2010: Added a BMCo 19/32 Bit Brace Socket.
  • 09/10/2009: Added a BMCo No. 7 1/2 Bent Socket Wrench
  • 07/23/2009: Added a BMCo No. 9 5/8 Bent Socket Wrench

Introduction

Company History

The Braunsdorf-Mueller Corporation (BMCo) was established in 1901 as a maker of tools and hardware items, including wrenches, punches, chisels, and vises. The company was founded by Henry R. Braunsdorf and Charles F. Mueller and operated in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Items made by Braunsdorf-Mueller were frequently marked with the company's "BMCo" logo, consisting of the letters "BMCo" enclosed in an oval.

Selected Tools

BMCo No. 7 1/2 Bent Tubular Socket Wrench

Fig. 1. BMCo No. 7 1/2 Bent Tubular Socket Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1910-1920.

Fig. 1 shows a BMCo No. 7 1/2 bent tubular socket wrench, stamped with the BMCo logo and model number.

The overall length is 6.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The actual measured size of this wrench was about 1/32 over the nominal 1/2 inch, probably an allowance for the manufacturing tolerance. The wrench is constructed of seamless steel tubing and the manufacturing process was probably similar to that used for pressed-steel sockets, which also used a 1/32 oversize allowance.

Socket wrenches in this bent tubular style were popular tools for servicing early automobiles. Other makers included Vlchek Tool, and an example can be seen as the Vlchek No. 51 Bent Socket Wrench.

BMCo No. 9 5/8 Bent Tubular Socket Wrench

Fig. 2. BMCo No. 9 5/8 Bent Tubular Socket Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1910-1920.

Fig. 2 shows a BMCo No. 9 5/8 bent tubular socket wrench, stamped with the BMCo logo and "USA" on the body.

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

Socket wrenches in this bent tubular style were popular tools for servicing early automobiles. Other makers included Vlchek Tool, and an example can be seen as the Vlchek No. 51 Bent Socket Wrench.

BMCo 19/32 Bit Brace Socket

Fig. 3. BMCo 19/32 Bit Brace Socket, with Insets for End View and Marking Detail, ca. Early 1900s.

Fig. 3 shows a BMCo 19/32 hex socket for use in a bit brace, stamped with "5/16" on the drive tang, with the BMCo logo on the reverse (see right inset).

The overall length is 3.6 inches, and the finish is black paint.

The "5/16" marking is a reference to the older U.S.S. Size Convention corresponding to the 19/32 measured opening.

BMCo 3/8 Bearing Scraper

Fig. 4. BMCo 3/8 Bearing Scraper, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. Early 1900s.

Fig. 4 shows a BMCo 3/8 bearing scraper, stamped with the "BM Co" logo and "Eliz. N.J." on the shank.

The overall length is 12.1 inches, and the width of the blade is 3/8. The finish is plain steel.

BMCo 3/4 Arch Hole Punch

Fig. 5. BMCo 3/4 Arch Hole Punch, with Inset for Side View, ca. Early 1900s.

Fig. 5 shows a BMCo 3/4 arch hole punch, stamped with "B-M. Co." and "Eliz. N.J." on the shank.

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

This style of arch-shaped hole punch was widely used for punching holes in leather, paper, or other soft materials.

Braunsdorf Mueller 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 6. Braunsdorf Mueller 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. Early 1900s.

Fig. 6 shows a Braunsdorf Mueller 8 inch adjustable wrench, marked with "Braunsdorf Mueller Co." forged into the shank, with "Elizabeth, N.J." forged into the reverse.

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The head thickness was measured at 0.55 inches.

The finish is plain steel.

References and Resources

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

Catalog Resources

Currently we don't have any catalogs for Braunsdorf-Mueller. The company's products were widely available from industrial distributors, and we will add selected references as time permits.

Patents and Trademarks

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

Feedback

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