Plomb with War Finish

[skylab]

bought this at the flea market last weekend.  I heard the finish maybe toxic.
Is this true?

[1930]

Only if you lick it :)

[Papaw]

Restrictions were imposed on all manufacturing for the civilian market in order that sufficient amounts of critical materials were continually available to meet the requirements of the war effort. With this in mind it is then reasonable to assume that the "War Finish" imprinted on civilian tools indicate that these tools did not necessarily meet the material standards set by the company during peacetime, when there was access to bountiful supplies.  If the words "War Finish" were just related to the texture and appearance of the exterior, the stamping would be redundant, and not worth the added expense.

From- http://plombtools.com/WarFinishWF.aspx

The Wright Field wrenches and other manufacturer's wrenches that were Cadmium plated are the ones you do not lick, or wire brush. The Plomb tools were marked WF, for Wright Field, not for war finish.

[kxxr]

So, just to clarify, it's ok to lick this one?

[Papaw]

Better safe than sorry!

[EVILDR235]

I had some WAR FINISH marked 3/4 inch drive Plomb sockets that had a plain steel finish with no cadmium on them. They did have some kind of yellowish coating on them. I believe the coating was cosmoline, I still did not lick them.

EvilDr235  AKA   Gort the giant robot.