Got one of these complete and many pieces but was wondering what the history behind it is?  I can recall seeing them for sale in Western Auto store and Firestone stores in the early fifties - seemed to be popular then.  Just wondering...

Offered by Indestro/Duro, and several others. There are lots of them around. Look in Alloy Artifacts.

As another suggestion, clean off the hex handle and look at it closely for a patent date stamp or a manufacturer's stamp.  These things were popular from the 1920s through the 1950s.

I looked on the ratchet handle but did not look on the Hex handle.  Will do.  Thanks.

OK, checked the hex handle and the ratchet and the sockets and the tray - nothing.
But the shape and checkering on the sockets IS reminescent of Indestro...
So I'll buy that.  Sure would hate to have to use that stuff on a serious job!

How about a picture of a socket?

I started to take a picture then decided it was more complicated than a single picture!
The more I dug around, the more different styles I found.  Some had sizes stamped as fractions, others had the fractions expressed as dashed numbers.  Some had cross hatch knurling, straight bar knurling and knurled banding at different heights.  Then I discovered the "Alloy Artifacts" listing for Indestro/Duro.  Looks like I've got pieces of at least four different sets! But there's not much doubt what they are even if they are not labeled.  I think my goal will be to match up one complete set and offer the residue to some other poor struggling soul!

Attaboy!!

I believe New Britain also made some of these as well!!