Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: lebaron on May 20, 2014, 09:06:18 AM

Title: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: lebaron on May 20, 2014, 09:06:18 AM
Anyone know about this Craftsman logo. I never seen this with the wavy script that way. Any way to date it. Thanks.
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: lbgradwell on May 20, 2014, 10:49:00 AM
That's probably he first Craftsman logo. It dates right back to the introduction of the brand...

A 1927 ad:

(http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s410/CedarAlaia/Axes/1927AD1_96_zps0686c3a3.jpg)
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: Branson on May 24, 2014, 05:55:23 AM
Unless I'm mistaken, that logo pre-dates Sears' use of Craftsman.
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: rusty on May 24, 2014, 08:21:46 AM
'WLS' in the above ad were the call letters for Sears short lived radio station in Chicago.
 It also is the acronym for 'Worlds Largest Store' ...

The WLS mark appears on objects for a short span also as part of the promotion (1924-1928 +/-)
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: mikeswrenches on May 24, 2014, 10:22:15 AM
Back in the late 50’s there was a radio station in Chicago with WLS as the  call letters.  On a good night we could pick it up in western Pennsylvania.

Mike
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: Chillylulu on May 24, 2014, 12:49:01 PM
Unless I'm mistaken, that logo pre-dates Sears' use of Craftsman.

So are you saying a totally different company than Sears?
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: lbgradwell on May 24, 2014, 05:28:59 PM
Unless I'm mistaken, that logo pre-dates Sears' use of Craftsman.

I think you're mistaken. Almost certain, actually...
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: Lostmind on May 24, 2014, 06:13:34 PM
first line in ad says " Sears Craftsman Brand"
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: Branson on May 25, 2014, 06:23:29 AM
first line in ad says " Sears Craftsman Brand"

Right you are.  Shoulda actually read the ad.
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: leg17 on May 25, 2014, 06:33:01 AM
You guys don't know WLS radio?
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: skipskip on June 12, 2014, 09:28:19 PM
found this over the weekend.

wavy craftsman on an aluminum torpedo level

Pat number 2014420

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14406267871_8dbb9b8fae_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nX2TwP)AJUN 234 (https://flic.kr/p/nX2TwP) by skipskip (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: Northwoods on October 29, 2014, 03:29:17 PM
WLS lightning logo.
I have a WLS baseball bat.  An indoor bat, actually.
Has a nice dark burned-in logo.
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: Charles Garrett on October 29, 2014, 05:33:04 PM
WLS was a "clear channel"   as it was powerful and had no competition on that freq.  Isn't it still in operation.  I remember the very large store in Chicago back in the 30s.  Early on Craftsman was looked down on by professional mechs because the walls on the sockets were rather thick compared to Snap On .
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: mvwcnews on October 29, 2014, 09:13:32 PM
<snip>
wavy craftsman on an aluminum torpedo level</snip>
The Phillips screws may not be original ?? Phillips patents applied for in 1934, granted in 1936 (presumably manufacture started in the early 30's )  The patent drawing shows screws with straight slots but that is incidental.
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on October 30, 2014, 10:23:32 AM
Sears bought the Craftsman name for $650 about 1927 from the Craftsman Tool Co in Iowa. The wavy logo did not last long. It was superceded by the blue oval with the C underline about 1931.
Title: Re: Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo
Post by: Chillylulu on November 03, 2014, 11:33:33 PM
I think they had some retro logo tools, mostly with wood trim.

Chilly