An iron wrench used by firemen.
1844. Peter Ploddy was not much above five feet, and he resigned from the Thunderpump fire company because he had no fancy for riots, or for being hit over the head with brass trumpets and iron spanners.—J. C. Neal, ‘Peter Ploddy,’ &c. p. 11 (Phila.).
1856. Yer might have split their skulls wid a spanner, an dey would n’t er known what tapped ’em.—Knick. Mag., xlvii. 616 (June).
