What are these wrenches used for?

[rick60]

I have this set of wrenches.  I think they may be from the 1930s.  They belonged to my grandfather.  There are no markings of any kind.  No manufacturer or sizes.  They don't fit conventional hex nuts.  I don't have any square nuts to try using the wrenches on.  Any information would be appreciated.

[rocketraider]

Wow. I've never seen anything like those, and without markings it'll be hard to ID manufacturer or purpose.

 

Try the HAMB or Garage Journal. The folks there can ID some really obscure stuff.

[pont35cpe]

Way back somewhere in my life, i`ve seen nuts with that shape, always used vice gripes on them. But can`t recall what it was.

[28 Chrysler]

For brake light switches is what I am thinking.

[roysboystoys]

Try laying a nut in the notches so it contacts one of the end " Ears" and part of the notch.

It might be a type of ratchet open end.

Or some sort of packing nut wrench that passes the shaft to get to gland nut.

[41 Su8]

Ratcheting open end wrenches

[rocketraider]

I thought about that but doesn't look like the broach tips would rotate off a fastener.

 

Craftsman and others had these 30-odd years ago. They work, but I find them clumsy to use in automotive environments. At least later ones had an arrow so you'd get them on the fastener correctly; my original set did not. They've made me leave blood all over everything a few times when they slipped...

 

[pont35cpe]

It finally hit me, back when i did handrails/stairways this is the stud/nut that was used.

[Adam Akers]

I have also seen this same type of nut used to join sections of butcher block work benches together. I salvaged butcher block style lab tables out of a college science building built in 1924 and this style nut was used alot in the cabinetry and maple tops

[rick60]

I think pont35cpe figured it out.  I've been wondering for years what these were used for. Thanks to everyone.