GRAMM-BERNSTEIN

Gramm-Bernstein Co. (1912-1916)
Gramm-Bernstein Motor Truck Co. (1916-1923)
Gramm-Bernstein Motor Truck Corp. (1923-1930)
Lima, Ohio

This is a Gramm-Bernstein truck radiator emblem (1912-1919)   mjs
Size: 217mm wide 98mm high    MM: None

Benjamin A. Gramm had manufactured trucks since 1908, initially as Gramm-Logan and then as Gramm (see Gramm (1)), before starting the Gramm-Bernstein Company with Max Bernstein in 1912. 

The first Gramm-Bernstein trucks were offered in 2-ton and 3-1/2-ton sizes. By 1915 a 6-ton capacity truck was also available. During World War I Gramm-Bernstein was one of two pioneer manufacturers of the US Army Class B Liberty truck (the other pioneer Liberty truck manufacturer was Selden). Gramm-Bernstein built about 1000 Liberty truck units.

For civilian use, Gramm-Bernstein offered seven models of worm drive trucks from 1-1/2-ton to 6-ton capacity in 1917. Gramm-Bernstein used the term "Pioneer" in advertising following the First World War. A wide range of Gramm-Bernstein trucks was available through the 1920's and six-cylinder engines were added to the model range in 1926.  

In 1925 Benjamin Gramm formed a new company with R. M. Kincaid (see Gramm-Kincaid). The Gramm-Bernstein was discontinued in 1930.

Emblems

Gramm-Bernstein trucks carried a large oval-shaped radiator emblem, see example shown below:

This is a Gramm-Bernstein truck with a radiator emblem (1914) coachbuilt 

This oval-shaped radiator emblem was included in Gramm-Bernstein advertisements up to 1919, see example shown below:

This Gramm-Bernstein ad show the radiator emblem (1919) sep

This emblem is the oval, painted, cast aluminum Gramm-Bernstein radiator emblem shown above at the top of this post. This Gramm-Bernstein truck radiator emblem is very rare.

The following plated, pressed metal variation of the Gramm-Bernstein truck radiator emblem is also very rare:

This is a Gramm-Bernstein truck radiator emblem (c1915-1919)    mjs
Size: 220mm wide 95mm high    MM: None

From 1920, Gramm-Bernstein took advantage of their Pioneer Liberty Truck builder status to add the word "Pioneer" and a yoke, similar to that used to harness oxen to the early American pioneer Conestoga wagons, to their advertisements and radiator emblems, see examples shown below:

Gramm-Bernstein ad showing "Pioneer" addition (1920) auctionzip

The following plated, pressed metal Gramm-Bernstein "Pioneer" radiator emblem is rare:

This is a Gramm-Bernstein "Pioneer" radiator emblem (1920-1930) mjs
Size: 220mm wide 95mm high    MM: None

It is possible that from about 1925 the "yoke" was removed from the Gramm-Bernstein radiator emblem but I cannot confirm this. If you have details of a Gramm-Bernstein radiator emblem with the word "Pioneer" but without the yoke, please let me know, in order to update this post.