The Proto Empire

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Proto Tools
• Penens, Fleet, and Challenger
• P & C
• References and Resources
• What's New (Last Updated Sept. 29, 2009)
  Recent changes to this page:

  • 09/29/2009: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 3712 Single-End Flare Nut Wrench.
  • 09/27/2009: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 1220 Combination Wrench.
  • 09/23/2009: Added a Proto 3718 Single-End Flare Nut Wrench.
  • 09/22/2009: Added a Proto 3712 Single-End Flare Nut Wrench.
  • 09/19/2009: Added a Proto 1126 Box-End Wrench.
  • 08/15/2009: Added a P&C 1708 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench.
  • 08/05/2009: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 1216 Combination Wrench.
  • 05/14/2009: Added a Proto 6735 Valve Adjuster.
  • 04/20/2009: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 1212 Combination Wrench.
  • 04/13/2009: Added a Proto 500M 1/4-Drive Ratcheting Crowfoot Driver.
  • 04/12/2009: Added a Proto 500 Ratcheting Flare Socket Set.
  • 04/10/2009: Added a Proto 5449 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
  • 03/18/2009: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 1224 Combination Wrench.
  • 03/17/2009: Added Proto [242] 8 Inch Tongue-and-Groove Pliers.
  • 03/16/2009: Added Proto "Los Angeles" [246] 6 Inch Combination Pliers.
  • 03/09/2009: Added a P&C 1243 Tongue-and-Groove Pliers.
  • 03/07/2009: Added a Proto 243 Tongue-and-Groove Pliers.
  • 03/06/2009: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 708-S Adjustable Wrench.
  • 03/04/2009: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 3348 Obstruction Wrench.
  • 03/03/2009: Added a Proto 3336 Obstruction Wrench, a Proto "Los Angeles" 3364 Obstruction Wrench, and a T.A.C. 9011 3/8-Drive Ratcheting Crowfoot Wrench.
  • 02/17/2009: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 1226 Combination Wrench.
  • 01/31/2009: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 1130-L Box Wrench.
  • 07/04/2008: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 1214 Combination Wrench.
  • 05/19/2008: Updated patent and catalog tables.
  • 04/07/2008: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 3040 Open-End Wrench.
  • 04/06/2008: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 3352 Obstruction Wrench.
  • 04/03/2008: Added a Proto "Los Angeles" 3018 Open-End Wrench.
  • 03/27/2008: Added a Proto 5249 3/8-Drive Ratchet.
  • 03/23/2008: Added Proto 260 Thin-Nose Pliers.
  • 02/24/2008: Added Proto 234 Adjustable Compound-Action Pliers.
  • 02/02/2008: Added a Proto 1224 50th Anniversary Combination Wrench, a Proto 371214 Double-Flare Wrench, and a Proto 8071785 1 Inch Drive Socket.
  • 02/01/2008: Create page, moved Penens to here.
  • 02/18/2007: Added a Penens Chicago 6026 Combination Wrench.
  • 02/17/2007: Added a Penens Chicago Open-End Wrench.
  • 08/23/2006: Added a Penens 1260 3/8-Drive Ratchet.
  • 08/13/2006: Added a Penens Challenger 1/2-Drive Socket.
  • 07/26/2006: Added a Penens Combination Wrench.
  • 07/06/2006: Added Penens 4204 Adjustable Wrench.

Introduction

This page will look at the development of Proto Tools from 1950 onward, together with the affiliated companies and brands that made up the Proto empire.

Company History

The early history of the Plomb Tool Company leading up to the creation of the Proto brand has been covered in our article on Plomb Tools. In this article we'll focus on events from 1950 onward relating to the development of the Proto brand and the affiliated companies.

Trademarks

The Proto trademark was registered by Plomb Tool, with the first use date listed as January 23, 1948.

In 1947 the Penens Corporation filed a trademark application for "Fleet Quality Tools" enclosed by a wing-like design, with the first use date listed as August 29, 1947. The trademark was issued as #519,190 on December 27, 1949. In the filing the company listed its address as 2047 South Santa Fe Avenue in Los Angeles, with Albert R. Said as company president.

Penens later registered "Socketeer" as a trademark.

Pendleton Tool Industries registered the "Clik-Stop" trademark with the first use in 1957, and the "Bet'R-Grip" trademark with first use in 1962. (Note though that "Bet'R-Grip" had been used by J.P. Danielson in the 1930s, and that the later trademark was for a different class of tools.)

Patents

Tool Identification

The tool production for Proto and the affiliated brands is generally easy to identify, as the pieces will be stamped with one of the standard brand names.

Manufacturing Dates

Manufacturing dates are generally difficult to determine for Proto and the related brands, as no general date code system is known. However, production by the J.P. Danielson division, including adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches, pliers, and some economy-grade tools, does appear to have been marked with a forged-in date code. See our article on the J.P. Danielson Company for more information on their date-code system.

The following list of observations may help estimate a manufacturing date for some tools.

• Proto Los Angeles. Early Proto tools (beginning immediately with the post-Plomb era) were marked "Proto Los Angeles", and this provides at least a clue to the production date. A 50th anniversary wrench from 1957 is not marked "Los Angeles", suggesting that this marking was used from 1949 to 1956.
• Plain Hanging Hole for Adjustable Wrenches. In 1948 adjustable wrenches marked with both Proto and Plomb (PRVTV-PLVMB) were made with a plain hanging hole (without a ridge), instead of the broached hole previously supplied. Penens catalogs from 1951 and 1955 illustrate adjustable wrenches with a plain hanging hole.
• Penens Chicago Marking. By 1951 the Penens Corporation had moved from Los Angeles to Schiller Park, Illinois, a city near Chicago. The exact date of the move is not yet known, but a 1951 Challenger catalog shows the Penens Corporation in Schiller Park by that time. The "Penens Chicago" marking found on some wrenches is presumed to indicate production in 1951 or later.
• Registered Trademark Symbol for P&C Tools. The P&C logo trademark was registered in 1953, and sometime after this P&C began marking tools with the R-Circle trademark symbol following the company logo. Based on the example provided by a P&C 1708S Adjustable Wrench, by 1955 the R-Circle symbol was being stamped on P&C tools. A 1961 P&C catalog includes illustrations showing the R-Circle registered trademark symbol on some tools.
• Clik-Stop Patent. In 1959 (or before) Proto began offering lockable adjustable wrenches with the name "Clik-Stop", using a mechanism based on a 1959 patent.
• Ridge Around Hanging Hole for Adjustable Wrenches. A 1961 P&C catalog shows adjustable wrenches with a ridge around the hanging hole.
• Registered Trademark Symbol for Proto Tools. Later Proto tools were marked with the R-Circle registered trademark symbol following the Proto name. Although the beginning date of the marking is not yet known, it appears to have been sometime in the mid 1960s.

Proto Tools

In this section we'll look at some examples of Proto tools. Proto tools were initially identical to the Plomb models except for the markings, with the Plomb name replaced by "Proto Los Angeles". In the following decades the designs and styles of existing models have evolved somewhat, and newer tools have been added to the product line as well.

Since the Plomb tool models have been well documented, we'll concentrate on some of the newer or different Proto tools here.

Proto "Los Angeles" 3018 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 1. Proto 3018 1/4x5/16 Open-End Wrench, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 1 shows a Proto 3018 1/4x5/16 open-end wrench with pebbled size fields, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 4.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Earlier generations of this model marked with the Plomb brand can be seen as the Plomb 3018 Wrenches.

Proto "Los Angeles" 3040 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 2. Proto 3040 13/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 2 shows a Proto 3040 13/16x7/8 open-end wrench with pebbled size fields, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 10.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Proto "Los Angeles" 1212 3/8 Combination Wrench

Fig. 3. Proto 1212 3/8 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 3 shows a Proto 1212 3/8 combination wrench, marked with the sizes forged into pebbled depressions on the shank, and with "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" stamped on the reverse.

The overall length is 4.6 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

The pebbled size field design was used on Plomb-marked tools in the late 1940s, and Proto continued to use this style for a few years.

Proto "Los Angeles" 1214 7/16 Combination Wrench

Fig. 4. Proto 1214 7/16 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 4 shows a Proto 1214 7/16 combination wrench, marked with the sizes forged into pebbled depressions on the shank, and with "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" stamped on the reverse.

The overall length is 5.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The pebbled size field design was used on Plomb-marked tools in the late 1940s, and Proto continued to use this style for a few years.

Proto "Los Angeles" 1216 1/2 Combination Wrench

Fig. 5A. Proto "Los Angeles" 1216 1/2 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 5A shows a Proto 1216 1/2 combination wrench, marked with the sizes forged into pebbled depressions on the shank, and with "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" stamped on the reverse.

The overall length is 6.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Proto "Los Angeles" 1220 5/8 Combination Wrench

Fig. 5B. Proto "Los Angeles" 1220 5/8 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 5B shows a Proto 1220 5/8 combination wrench, marked with the sizes forged into pebbled depressions on the shank, and with "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" stamped on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Proto "Los Angeles" 1224 3/4 Combination Wrench

Fig. 6. Proto "Los Angeles" 1224 3/4 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Decal, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 6 shows a Proto 1224 3/4 combination wrench, marked with the sizes forged into pebbled depressions on the shank, and with "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" stamped on the reverse.

The overall length is 9.3 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

Proto 1224 50th Anniversary 3/4 Combination Wrench

Fig. 7. Proto 1224 3/4 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Decal, 1957.

Fig. 7 shows a later Proto 1224 3/4 combination wrench with a 50th anniversary decal, stamped "MFD. U.S.A." on the shank.

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

The decal is marked "Pendleton Tool Industries Inc." with "50 Years" and "1907-1957" around the oval design. In addition to commemorating the founding of the company (as Plomb Tool) in 1907, the decal provides a rare indication of the manufacturing date for this tool.

Proto "Los Angeles" 1226 13/16 Combination Wrench

Fig. 8. Proto 1226 13/16 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 8 shows a Proto 1226 13/16 combination wrench, marked with the sizes forged into pebbled depressions on the shank, and with "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" stamped on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.3 inches. The finish is cadmium plating, with some loss due to wear and rust.

Proto "Los Angeles" 1126 1/2x9/16 Box-End Wrench

Fig. 9. Proto 1126 1/2x9/16 Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 9 shows a Proto 1126 1/2x9/16 box-end wrench, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" on the shank, and with the fractional sizes forged into pebbled depressions on the shank.

The overall length is 5.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Proto "Los Angeles" 1130-L 9/16x5/8 Long Box-End Wrench

Fig. 10. Proto 1130-L 9/16x5/8 Long Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 10 shows a Proto 1130-L 9/16x5/8 long-format box-end wrench, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" on the shank, and with the fractional sizes forged into pebbled depressions on the shank.

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

Proto 3336 9/16x9/16 Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 11. Proto 3336 9/16x9/16 Obstruction Wrench, ca. 1957+.

Fig. 11 shows a Proto 3336 9/16x9/16 obstruction open-end wrench, stamped "MFD. U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 5.7 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Proto "Los Angeles" 3348 Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 12. Proto 3348 3/4x3/4 Obstruction Wrench, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 12 shows a Proto 3348 3/4x3/4 obstruction open-end wrench, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" on the shank.

The overall length is 7.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Proto "Los Angeles" 3352 Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 13. Proto 3352 13/16x13/16 Obstruction Wrench, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 13 shows a Proto 3352 13/16x13/16 obstruction open-end wrench, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" on the shank.

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

Proto "Los Angeles" 3364 Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 14. Proto 3364 1x1 Inch Obstruction Wrench, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 14 shows a Proto 3364 1x1 inch obstruction open-end wrench, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" on the shank.

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

Proto 3712 3/8 Flare Nut Wrenches

Fig. 15A. Proto "Los Angeles" 3712 3/8 Flare Nut Wrench, with Insets for Reverse and Side View.

Fig. 15A shows an earlier Proto 3712 3/8 flare nut wrench, marked with "Proto" and the fractional size forged into the pebbled handle panel, with "Los Angeles" and "MFD. U.S.A." forged into the reverse.

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Fig. 15B. Proto 3712 3/8 Flare Nut Wrench, with Insets for Reverse and Side View.

Fig. 15B shows a later Proto 3712 3/8 flare nut wrench, marked with "Proto" and the fractional size forged into the pebbled handle panel, with "MFD. U.S.A." forged into the reverse.

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Proto 3718 9/16 Flare Nut Wrench

Fig. 16. Proto 3718 9/16 Flare Nut Wrench, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 16 shows a Proto 3718 9/16 flare nut wrench, marked with "Proto" and the fractional size forged into the pebbled handle panel, with "MFD. U.S.A." forged into the reverse.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Proto 371214 Double-Flare Wrench

Fig. 17. Proto 371214 3/8x7/17 Double-Flare Wrench.

Fig. 17 shows a rare Proto 371214 3/8x7/16 double-flare wrench, stamped "Mfd. U.S.A." on the shank.

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

Proto's 37xx series of single-ended flare-nut wrenches are well known, but this style of double-flare wrench appears to be rather rare. We haven't yet found a catalog reference for this example, suggesting that it might have been a special-order item.

Proto "Los Angeles" 5249 3/8-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 18. Proto 5249 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1949-1956.

Fig. 18 shows a 3/8-drive Proto 5249 ratchet with a knurled handle, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD USA" on the cover plate.

The overall length is 7.1 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

Proto 5449 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 19. Proto 5449 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 19 shows a 1/2-drive Proto 5449 ratchet with a knurled handle, stamped "MFD. U.S.A." with the registered trademark symbol on the cover plate.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

Proto 8071785 1 Inch Drive 1-7/8 Socket

Fig. 20. Proto 8071785 1 Inch Drive 1-7/8 Socket, with Insets for Construction and Broaching.

Fig. 20 shows a 1 inch drive Proto 8071785 1-7/8 socket with a rare double-hex crossbar opening.

The finish is chrome plating.

This socket is most likely a special-order item, but the specific application is not yet known.

Proto "Los Angeles" [246] 6 Inch Slip-Joint Combination Pliers

Fig. 21. Proto [246] 6 Inch Slip-Joint Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, 1952.

Fig. 21 shows a pair of Proto 6 inch combination pliers, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD. U.S.A." near the pivot. Although this example is not marked with a model number, these pliers are listed as model 246 in the Proto catalogs.

The overall length is 6.3 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

The lower inset shows a close-up of the forged-in code "P.4.2" on the lower handle, although the numbers are indistinct and difficult to read. (There's also a larger "P" to the left of the code which is not part of the standard forged-in code.)

The "Los Angeles" marking places the manufacturing date between 1949 and 1956, and the "2" year digit in the Danielson date code then indicates production in 1952.

Proto 234 Adjustable Compound-Action Pliers

Fig. 22. Proto 234 Adjustable Compound-Action Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1957+.

Fig. 22 shows a pair of Proto 234 pliers with an unusual adjustable compound-action mechanism. The handle is stamped "MFD. U.S.A." with "Pat. No. 2600512" below. One of the pieces is also marked with a forged-in code "K.7.4" (not shown).

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

The patent notice refers to patent #2,600,512, filed by H.A. Mead in 1947 and issued in 1952.

Proto 243 10 Inch Tongue-and-Groove Pliers

Fig. 23. Proto 243 10 Inch Tongue-and-Groove Pliers, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1957+.

Fig. 23 shows a pair of Proto 243 10 inch tongue-and-groove pliers, stamped "MFD. U.S.A." and "Proto" with the registered trademark symbol. The handles are also marked with forged-in codes, one handle with "E-10-5" shown in detail in the inset, and the other with a less distinct "B-11-5" (not shown).

The overall length is 9.9 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

The tongue-and-groove plier design was invented in the early 1930s and sold under the well-known "Channellock" brand by the Champion DeArment Company. Based on a catalog review, Proto was offering tongue-and-groove pliers by 1953 (or earlier), and by 1961 these models were referred to as "Power Track" pliers in the catalogs.

Proto [242] 8 Inch Tongue-and-Groove Pliers

Fig. 24. Proto [242] 8 Inch Tongue-and-Groove Pliers, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1957+.

Fig. 24 shows a pair of Proto 8 inch tongue-and-groove pliers, stamped "MFD. U.S.A." with "U.S." to the right. The handle are also marked with a forged-in code "S108", shown as a close-up in the inset.

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

Although not marked with a model number, these pliers are listed as model 242 in the Proto catalogs. The "U.S." marking and plain finish suggest that this example was probably supplied for a government contract.

Proto "Los Angeles" 260 Thin-Nose Pliers

Fig. 25. Proto 260 Thin-Nose Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 25 shows a pair of Proto 260 thin-nose pliers, stamped "Los Angeles" and "MFD. U.S.A." near the pivot.

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

Proto "Los Angeles" 708-S 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 26. Proto 708-S 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Inset for Side View, 1953.

Fig. 26 shows a Proto 708-S 8 inch adjustable wrench, stamped "Los Angeles" on the shank, and with "Forged Alloy Steel" forged into the shank. The shank also has a forged-in code "X-10-3" visible near the hanging hole.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the finish is black oxide.

To estimate the manufacturing date of this wrench, the plain hanging hole would place the production in the range 1948-1960, and the "Proto Los Angeles" marking would narrow this slightly to 1948-1956. Within this date range, the year digit "3" in the (still tentative) Danielson date code indicates 1953 as the likely production year.

Proto "Los Angeles" 6735 Long-Shaft Valve Adjuster

Fig. 27. Proto 6735 Long-Shaft Valve Adjuster, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 27 shows a Proto 6735 long-shaft valve adjuster, marked with "Los Angeles" and "MFD. U.S.A." forged into the underside of the handle, and with a "Pat. No. 2,007,432" patent notice.

The overall length is 6.9 inches, and the finish is plain aluminum.

The patent notice refers to patent #2,007,432, issued to E. Mancuso in 1935.

This tool is very similar to the well-known Proto 6734 valve adjuster, first produced beginning in the 1930s as the Plomb 2034 and later as the Plomb 6734 and Proto 6734. This model is fitted with a much longer screwdriver shaft, apparently required for accessing a recessed tappet adjusting screw.

Tubing Appliance Corporation (T.A.C.)

In the mid 1950s Plomb Tool acquired the Tubing Applicance Corporation (T.A.C.), a maker of specialty tools for refrigeration and hydraulic line service.

T.A.C. 9011 3/8-Drive Ratcheting Crowfoot Wrench

Fig. 28. T.A.C. 9011 3/8-Drive 11/16 Ratcheting Crowfoot Wrench, ca. 1952-1954.

Fig. 28 shows a 3/8-drive T.A.C. 9011 11/16 ratcheting crowfoot wrench, stamped "Tubing Appliance Co." and "L.A. Cal." with a "Pat. Pend." patent notice.

The overall length is 2.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The pending status refers to patent #2,691,315, filed by A.J. Brame in 1952 and issued in 1954.

Proto (T.A.C.) 500 1/4-Drive Ratcheting Flare Socket Set

The next figure shows a clever and unusual application for a ratcheting crowfoot, a specialty socket set with split sockets for use on brake lines or refrigeration fittings.

Fig. 29. Proto (T.A.C.) 500 1/4-Drive Ratcheting Flare Socket Set, ca. 1955-1960s.

Fig. 29 shows a Proto (T.A.C.) 500 1/4-drive ratcheting flare socket set in a custom metal box. The set consists of a 500M ratcheting crowfoot driver, a 4766 flex-head handle, five special split sockets for flare nuts, and one closed socket.

The sockets are marked "Proto-T.A.C." with "MFD. USA" and "Patented", and the model number is marked as "500" on all of the sockets. The socket sizes are 3/8, 7/16, and 9/16" in the back row, with 5/9, 11/16, and 9/16 (closed) in the front row.

Fig. 30 shows the top cover of the socket set box.

Fig. 30. Top Cover of Proto (T.A.C.) 500 Flare Socket Set.

Proto (T.A.C.) 500M 1/4-Drive Ratcheting Crowfoot Driver

Fig. 31. Proto (T.A.C.) 500M 1/4-Drive Ratcheting Crowfoot Driver.

Fig. 31 shows the Proto 500M ratcheting crowfoot driver from the model 500 socket set. The faceplate is stamped "T.A.C." and "U.S. Pat. 2578686 & 2578687", with "Made in U.S.A." at the bottom.

The patent notice refers to patents #2,578,686 and #2,578,687, filed by H.L. Fish in 1945 and 1947, respectively. Both patents were issued on December 18, 1951 with assignment to the Tubing Applicance Company.

Penens, Fleet, and Challenger

The Penens Corporation is known primarily for its operation as a subsidiary of Plomb Tool (and later Proto), having been acquired by Plomb in the early 1940s. Penens did contract production for Plomb during the war, and afterwards produced tools for several economy lines as part of the Plomb (later Proto) empire. Penens registered a trademark for "Fleet Quality Tools" in 1947 and produced Fleet branded tools for a number of years. In the 1960s the company changed its name to Fleet Tools.

In addition to the Fleet brand of tools, Penens also produced tools for the "Challenger" brand, at least up until the early 1960s. A 1951 Challenger catalog lists the Penens Corporation in Schiller Park, Illinois as the company address, and shows the Challenger logo as a gladiator's helmet.

However, a later Challenger catalog from the early 1960s lists the company as the Challenger Division of Pendleton Tool Industries, with an address in Cleveland, Ohio. Pendleton Tool was the parent company of Plomb Tool, Penens, P&C, and other subsidiaries, but it's currently a bit of a mystery that Challenger ended up in Cleveland. One possibility is that Pendleton had shifted the production of Challenger tools to the Vlchek factory, after having acquired Vlchek Tool in 1958.

The Penens company history prior to the Plomb acquisition is currently a mystery, as no catalogs or other reference materials have been found for this period. Since there seems to be no public record for Penens prior to 1942, we now believe that either the company was first created around that time, or else that Penens was a name change from some predecessor. If any readers have information on the pre-Plomb history of Penens, please send us an email via the "Contact Us" link on the home page.

Penens Chicago 13/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 32. Penens Chicago 13/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 32 shows a Penens 13/16x7/8 open-end wrench with depressed panels, marked "Penens Corp. Chicago" and "Mfd. U.S.A." in forged raised letters.

The overall length is 8.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The inset shows the forged-in code "PJ.3.2" on the reverse. Codes such as this usually found on Penens tools made in the depressed-panel style, and the format of the codes closely resembles the codes marked on tools by J.P. Danielson, Auto-Kit, and other brands.

Penens Chicago 9/16 Combination Wrench

Fig. 33. Penens 9/16 Combination Wrench.

Penens Chicago 6026 Combination Wrench

Fig. 34. Penens 6026 13/16 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 34 shows a Penens 6026 13/16 combination wrench with depressed panels, marked "Penens Corp. Chicago" and "Mfd. U.S.A." in forged raised letters. The model number "6026" is stamped on the face.

The overall length is 10.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The inset shows the forged-in code "B.8.7" on the reverse.

Penens 4204 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 35. Penens 4204 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Inset for Reverse, 1953.

Fig. 35 shows a Penens 4204 4 inch adjustable wrench, stamped "Penens Corp." and "Chicago" on the shank, and with "Forged Alloy Steel" forged into the reverse shank. The shank also has a forged-in code "B 12 3" visible at the right.

The overall length is 4.3 inches.

The forged-in code "B 12 3" is the Danielson Date Code for the tool, and the "3" year code and plain hanging hole indicate production in 1953.

Penens 1260 3/8-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 36. Penens 1260 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 36 shows a 3/8-drive Penens 1260 ratchet, marked with "Penens Corp." and the model number embossed on the shifter.

The overall length is 7.3 inches.

Our article on Vlchek shows a very similar 1/2-drive Vlchek 3800 Ratchet, likely made by Penens.

Penens 1661 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 37. Penens 1661 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 37 shows a 1/2-drive Penens 1661 ratchet, marked "Penens Corporation" and "Mfd. U.S.A." on the cover plate.

The overall length is 9.6 inches.

The head and shank have been finely ground and polished up to the knurled handle, and the finish is polished chrome.

The ratchet mechanism uses a 22-tooth gear with dual pawls controlled by a lobed shifter. Basically this is the same mechanism used in all Plomb-family reversible ratchets, and the soft pawl springs give it a smooth action with minimal back-drag.

Penens 1/2-Drive Sockets

In our next figures we'll show some examples of sockets made by Penens, including sockets marked both "Challenger" and "Penens".

Fig. 38. Penens 1/2-Drive 16xx Sockets, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 38 shows a collection of five 1/2-drive Penens sockets, each marked "Penens Corp Mfd. U.S.A." and "Alloy". The models and sizes are, from the left, 1614 (7/16), 1616 (1/2), 1618 (9/16), 1626 (13/16), and 1640 (1-1/4).

The finish is chrome plating, fully polished for the larger sockets, but with a satin upper part for the smaller sockets with stepped diameters.

The inset shows the 12-point broaching with hot-broached construction, and the annular ring of displaced material can be easily seen in the larger sockets. Note that the base of the sockets has a small indented mark resembling a "+" symbol, or perhaps a four-leaf clover. This mark on the outside is opposite a dimple on the inner (drive) wall, and is always centered on one of the drive flats. The dimple helps to secure the socket to a drive stud, as a simple (and probably cheaper) alternative to a drilled hole for this purpose.

Sockets for other brands in the Proto family also use a dimple, at least for some of the production, but the mark on the outside is usually something other than a "+" shape.

The fourth socket from the left (1626) is marked for both Challenger and Penens, as is the example in the next figure.

Penens Challenger 1/2-Drive Socket

Our next example shows a tool marked with both the Challenger brand and with Penens as the manufacturer.

Fig. 39. Challenger 1/2-Drive 9/16 Socket, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 39 shows a Challenger 1618 1/2-drive 9/16 socket, marked "Penens Corp. Mfd. U.S.A." and "Alloy".

The inset shows the 12-point broaching with hot-broached construction. The manufacturing date is probably sometime in the 1950s.

P&C

The interesting (even entertaining) early history of P&C is covered in our article on the P&C Hand Forged Tool Company. In this section we'll look at selected examples of P&C's later production, with the selection based the presence of the registered trademark symbol on the tool. Since the P&C-Logo wasn't registered until 1953, the trademark symbol should indicate production after that point. P&C remained in operation until about 1968.

P&C 1234 Compound-Leverage Slip-Joint Pliers

Fig. 40. P&C 1234 Compound-Leverage Slip-Joint Pliers, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 40 shows the P&C model 1234 compound-leverage pliers, marked "Mfd. U.S.A." with the P&C-Logo and a patent notice. (A patent number is stamped on the tool, but has been partially worn off so that only the last three digits "512" are readable.)

The overall (extended) length is 8.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The full patent number was found to be patent #2,600,512, issued to H.A. Mead in 1952. This patent was also used by Proto for its equivalent model Proto 234 Pliers shown in an earlier figure.

P&C 1243 "Power Track" 10 Inch Tongue-and-Groove Pliers

Fig. 41. P&C 1243 10 Inch Tongue-and-Groove Pliers, with Insets for Marking Detail, ca. 1953+.

Fig. 41 shows a pair of P&C 1243 10 inch tongue-and-groove pliers, stamped "Mfd. U.S.A." with the P&C-Logo and registered trademark symbol.

The overall (extended) length is 10.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Both handles are marked with forged-in codes, though unfortunately both codes are very difficult to read (see insets). The lower handle appears to be "U.7.8", but the last digit is unclear, and the upper handle appears to be "7.8.U", a reordering of the other code.

The tongue-and-groove plier design was invented in the early 1930s and sold under the well-known "Channellock" brand by the Champion DeArment Company. Based on a catalog review, P&C was offering tongue-and-groove pliers by 1953 (or earlier), and by 1961 these models were referred to as "Power Track" pliers in the catalogs.

P&C 1708 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 42. P&C 1708 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, 1950.

Fig. 42 shows a P&C 1708 8 inch adjustable wrench, stamped with the P&C logo on the front, with the model number on the reverse. The shank is marked with "8 In." and "Forged Alloy Steel" forged into the front, with "Made in U.S.A." forged into the reverse. The shank also has a forged-in code "H-11-0" visible at the right. (See middle inset for a close-up.)

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The maximum head thickness was measured at 0.52 inches.

The finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The forged-in code "H-11-0" is the Danielson Date Code for the tool. For this wrench, the "0" year code along with the plain hanging hole and no R-Circle symbol indicate production in 1950.

As part of the Proto Empire, P&C's adjustable wrenches were made by the J.P. Danielson company, another company acquired by Plomb Tool in the 1940s. Other examples of Danielson production can be seen as the Danielson "Bet'R-Grip" 6 Inch Adjustable Wrench, Plomb 706 Adjustable Wrench, and Vlchek AV6 Adjustable Wrench.

P&C 1708-S 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 43. P&C 1708-S 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Inset for Side View, 1955.

Fig. 43 shows a P&C 1708-S 8 inch adjustable wrench, stamped with the P&C-Logo and a registered trademark symbol, and with "Forged Alloy Steel" in forged raised letters. The shank also has a forged-in code "P55" visible at the right.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The maximum head thickness was measured at 0.50 inches.

This example is finished in black oxide, as indicated by the "S" suffix to the model number. Adjustable wrenches were also available with a chrome plated finish.

The forged-in code "P55" is the Danielson Date Code for the tool, and the "5" year code and plain hanging hole indicate production in 1955. Based on the 1955 production date, this wrench is currently our earliest P&C tool bearing the R-Circle trademark symbol.

References and Resources

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

Our article on the Plomb Tool Company has extensive coverage of the predecessor to the Proto brand. Additional information is also available for P&C Tools.

Catalog Coverage

Product information was obtained from catalogs covering the Proto, Penens, Challenger, and P & C brands, as summarized in the table below.

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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