Dating Craftsman Oval Wavy logo

[lebaron]

Anyone know about this Craftsman logo. I never seen this with the wavy script that way. Any way to date it. Thanks.

[lbgradwell]

That's probably he first Craftsman logo. It dates right back to the introduction of the brand...

A 1927 ad:

[Branson]

Unless I'm mistaken, that logo pre-dates Sears' use of Craftsman.

[rusty]

'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 +/-)

[mikeswrenches]

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

[Chillylulu]

Unless I'm mistaken, that logo pre-dates Sears' use of Craftsman.

So are you saying a totally different company than Sears?

[lbgradwell]

Unless I'm mistaken, that logo pre-dates Sears' use of Craftsman.

I think you're mistaken. Almost certain, actually...

[Lostmind]

first line in ad says " Sears Craftsman Brand"

[Branson]

first line in ad says " Sears Craftsman Brand"

Right you are.  Shoulda actually read the ad.

[leg17]

You guys don't know WLS radio?

[skipskip]

found this over the weekend.

wavy craftsman on an aluminum torpedo level

Pat number 2014420

AJUN 234 by skipskip, on Flickr

[Northwoods]

WLS lightning logo.
I have a WLS baseball bat.  An indoor bat, actually.
Has a nice dark burned-in logo.

[Charles Garrett]

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 .

[mvwcnews]

<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.

[johnsironsanctuary]

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 It was superceded by the blue oval with the C underline about 1931.