Blaine found a set of NOS Perfect Circle hubs, which look to be private-labeled versions of the Selectro hub manufactured by Dualmatic. Unfamilar with Perfect Circle, I wondered why the company would private label a set of hubs.

It turns out that Perfect Circle had been a leader in the development of piston rings for several decades. In 1963, the company was purchased by the Dana Corporation. It’s possible that relationship led to the private labeling of the hubs. (Read the whole Perfect Circle history here)

These particular hubs should fit the Dana 27 axles, as that was the standard axle on early Scouts (but I’m not expert on the Scouts).

We’ve seen the above hubs branded under multiple names, including Dualmatic, Selectro, Perfect Circle, Free-Lock, and others. But, where did the hubs originate?

Unfortunately, as this point I only have theories rather than actual answers. One theory is that they were developed by Free-Lock, but not patented, prior to Free-Lock’s demise. Somehow, Dualamatic/Husky ended up with the hubs (probably purchased Free-Lock’s assets) and then Dualmatic manufacturing them under the Free-Lock brand, then other brands.

My second theory is that the hub is based on this hub patent from Clark Peterson in 1955.

It has the spring system and It appears the entire top of the hub twists. But, there are some differences. The central bolt does not exist to hold the hub in place, instead side bolds secure the top. Maybe someone who has a set of these hubs can compare it to the hub design above? Below is a schematic of a Dualmatic hub for comparison.

I spend the last couple days driving to, then back from Seattle. Dad’s been saying a few odd things, so I wanted to see how he was doing at his new Rehab facility. He may have the start of some dementia … on the joys of aging.

Because of my drive over on Sunday, I lost out on the chance to get this Dualmatic Sales Demo hub. But, I did score some cool wagon/truck/jeepster brochures fairly inexpensively. So, I’ll be sharing those at some point.

Here’s the demo hub. There’s not a good pic of it, but there’s plastic around the edge so viewers can watch how the levers engage/disengage the hubs.

I purchased a 1957 Berg’s Truck and Parts Co (Aka the King of Jeeps) Catalog off of eBay. It included this flyer for a set of hubs I’ve never seen. Anyone ever run across these? (You can compare them to other flanges/summer hubs here: http://www.ewillys.com/2017/01/09/warns-summer-hubs/)

Maury and I have been trying to determine how BestLok and EasyLok hubs are connected and how they are connected to Warn, Husky, and Dualmatic. The short answer is that we don’t quite know yet. But, below is what we do know. (Note, while Husky and Dualmatic are mentioned, it’s not a full history of either hub, histories I do need to address at some point).

In January of 1972, Richard Williams filed a patent, assigned to Warn-Belleview, for a new type of hub. Below is the image of that hub.

What’s curious is that there’s no documentation that Warn ever sold these hubs.

Even more curious, by July of 1972 this exact hub was produced and sold under the brand EasyLok, as advertised here, in the July issue of Four Wheeler Magazine:

Why these hubs weren’t sold nor branded under any traditional seller of the time is a mystery to us.

Earlier this year, Maury spotted a set of hubs with the Warn patented design that were manufactured in 1982. Maury managed to get ahold of photos that show the hubs were manufactured and warranteed by BestopDualmatic (a joined company formed when Wynn industries combined the companies around 1974).

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Two different eBay ads here, one for a set of Free-Lock hubs and another for the sale of a reproduction Free-Lock hub tool.

1. Free Lock Hubs Roseville, CA $50 on eBay
   “Willie’s free lock hubs one is missing internal gear one is complete both spin free”
   
2. Free-Lock Reproduction Hub Tool $35 on eBay:
   “This auction is for 1 each exact reproduction of the very rare Free Lock Wrench that came with Denver brand Free Lock locking hubs as used on various 4 wheel drive vehicles of the late 50’s and 60’s. Denver Free Lock hubs were high end locking hubs that were available as aftermarket accessories to fit many 4X4 trucks including Dodge Power Wagons. I had these wrenches cast for me many years ago using one of the only original wrenches I have ever seen as a pattern. This is an exact copy of the original cast in zinc as the original. It is approx. 7″ long and has the nubs to turn and lock or unlock the hubs. You may never see another one of these and I won’t be making a second run.”

UPDATE: Still Available.

(04/07/2018) “NOS Locking Hubs Husky Warn 9072 Chevy Dodge Ford Jeep International 19 Spline”

View all the information on eBay