I found some 1/2" sockets in my late father's toolbox which are marked "Made in -U.S.A-". One is also marked "SW60-D-1-1/2". The others have a different number in place of the "60". There is no maker's mark but they look and behave like decent pieces of steel.
The sockets are probably pre-1963 so that's fairly 'old'
The sockets are tapered which I have never seen before. From the drive end to the open end it reduces in diameter by about 3/32" which on a 1.1/4" long socket is a noticeable taper.
I was musing on the problem while on my daily walk and had an idea. Maybe the "60" is the number of 1/64" across flats (?) which makes this socket 60/64" = 15/16"AF. My vernier measured 0.935" whereas 15/16" = 0.9375". My dad had this group of sockets identified (painted) with the colour used for all his Whitworth sockets, which made me wonder if the SW is BSW without the "B(British)", making it "Standard Whitworth", but I don't see how that relates to the 15/16" AF...
Any leads would be appreciated.