I certainly consider it settled. How can it not be considered settled? Does anyone have a full set of 45* offset pattern DBE's in their GMTK? Unless someone can produce 11/16 x 3/4 DBE wrenches in 45* double offset pattern from ANY of the major Mfgrs, I don't see how it's possible to argue that the long DBE's in the GMTK were 45* offset pattern.
Here's the Longshanks thread as a reminder:
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=270691&hilit=longshanks
Here is the key chart from that thread:
WWII vintage 11/16 x 3/4 DBE wrenches in 45* offset pattern don't exist in catalogs, they don't exist in Alloy Artfacts, they don't exist in anyone's personal collections and they never show up on eBay. The only 11/16 x 3/4 DBE wrench with a 45* double offset that appears to be a possibility for wartime production is DUNLAP, which is not exactly a convincing example, and the concept of DUNLAP supplying all the long DBE wrench sets in the US Army inventory is too far-fetched to overcome the obvious dearth by all the major US Army Ordnance Dept suppliers.
In other words, it's impossible to still argue that the long DBE wrenches in GMTK's were 45* offset pattern if there aren't any long DBE wrenches in the 11/16 x 3/4 size.
Why two (2) long 45* offset pattern DBEs (15/16 x 1, and 13/16 x 7/8) are shown in the May 1943 Army Motors magazine is irrelevant. That is not an official manual. If anything, that photo actually helps prove what the research shows - they just didn't exist in the 11/16 x 3/4 size. Someone that assembled those tools for that photo decided to use two 45* pattern and one 15* pattern. But that it is not what the manuals specify.
There were other kits with long 45* offset pattern DBEs, so they do show up in period photos. Those photos have no bearing on the manuals or the fact that none of the major US Army Ordnance wrench suppliers made a long DBE in 45* pattern with 11/16 x 3/4 openings.
In my initial posts, someone (Wingnutt?) advised that being a GMTK collector takes deep pockets, thick skin and a willingness to learn. I've been amazed how much there is to learn, but that's what makes this interesting. If you haven't already, select one of the wartime GMTK iterations so you'll have your list, then start hording, *er* collecting against it. There are many options, and no wrong way to approach it.
