?Making the Nut? Oversize Circus Wagon Wrench. Circa 1900. Giant walnut and leather wrench with nutcracker appearance. 37? long. Very good, with evidence of aging to leather, yet still flexible. The term ?making the nut? is said to have originated from the custom of sheriffs removing the nuts from the wheels of traveling circus and carnival wagons as security for payment of all taxes and expenses before the shows moved to a new venue. If the circus was profitable, it was then able to make the necessary payments, and thus ?made the nut.? This wrench was devised to remove and reapply circus wagon wheel nuts.