Noting the
five-point configuration on the wrench in the picture, it is still common today to see locking mechanisms and valve-actuating devices that are generally not intended to be accessed or operated by "un-authorized" individuals, that are configured in the five-point variety. The early thinking was that the average "Joe" didn't have a five-sided wrench to mess with stuff. The five-point configuration is commonly found in fire-fighting and other "authorized-only" water devices even today, such as the caps and valves on most fire hydrants. You're likely to find that the covers to access shut-off valves down in the ground for individual fire hydrants also have the five-point build configuration. Like indicated above, the one in the enclosed picture was probably manufactured for water meter access. DD
