Tool Talk
Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: kxxr on November 20, 2011, 01:41:45 PM
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I'm curious about the date on these. I wish the logo had survived, but no. I think it was similar or the same as the one Rusty was looking at a while back, which was this one:
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/cmanblackboxlogo.png)
There is barely enough decal left on the box I have to tell if they are the same, but they look similar to me.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/blackboxclosed.jpg)
Most, but not all of the sockets are marked BE, a couple of them are 8 point, the rest 12, all have knurling.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/blkboxbesockets.jpg)
The fork on the breaker has a less commonly seen shape but may help identify maker (New Britain maybe?) and date range:
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/bbset3.jpg)
The tee bar has a detent ball in it, nice touch.
I tried to get it for less than $10, but no dice. We started at $20 though, so I guess I did ok.
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AA says BE was a code for New Britain, and yours look like the circa 1930's examples over at AA.
I'd be willing to bet a graphics person could extract that logo and reproduce it - there seems to be enough of the original there.
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It's the same logo that is on the turning chisels I got with my 1949 ShopSmith. The decals on the chisels are near perfect if that would help.
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Really nice set!
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Oh I doubt that I'd ever get around to attempting any sort of restoration of the decal. I was just wishing it hadn't gotten scuffed off. It's kind of you to offer and if I ever do get that far, I'll know where to look.
I noticed the BE stuff at AA too but found it interesting that the breaker bar is not marked BE (it does say some weren't) but a couple other things looked different from the NB ones too. The fork part seems to have a much sharper angle than any of the ones pictured and also, the knurling on this one does not go all the way to the end of the handle. Maybe I'll post a better picture of the angle I'm talking about, it gives it an almost triangular appearance when viewed straight on.
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nice set. congrats bob w.
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Around 1935-1944.
http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=8529.0
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If I am following the AA information correctly, the BE pieces with plain block letters are earlier than the ones with the C-underline style logo. Plain block letters indicate pre-1932ish if I recall correctly. So, while the logo on the box seems to be post 1932, the sockets and bars look like pre 1932. Not terribly surprising I guess, but interesting to note none the less. I suppose it is possible that this logo first appeared earlier than 1934?
I have looked at every picture on AA of the early Craftsman, NB and even SK bars and none of them are a good match to this one. Many are close, or similar looking, but no match.
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That's what I decided, the other weird thing is the registration for craftsman says first use anywhere was 1938 ....
http://www.trademarkia.com/craftsman-78315143.html