Let's show our wood (screwdrivers)

[LesserSon]

I’ve speculated about these tiny beehive drivers, which usually have no markings.
This morning, one turned up marked Mayhew.

 

[Leviton]

I’ve speculated about these tiny beehive drivers, which usually have no markings.
This morning, one turned up marked Mayhew.

LesserSon, thank you for this information! I have several of these and, like you, have always wondered who made them

Armed with your information, I just found these in the 1901 Illustrated Catalogue of Mechanics' Tools Manufactured by H. H. Mayhew Company.

.

 

[bullrocky]

hello all.... i am having a problem finding any info on a federal screwdriver. it is marked "federal 10 1/2 WF" though only the top curve of the 2 is still visible. it measures 10 3/8" in overall length. i can find the same style in a 9 1/2. i assume the wf stands for war finish. it's a beast of a tool, weighs in at a tad under one pound! any help greatly appreciated !!

 

[LesserSon]

Federal is the brand.
Federal Tool Company of Springfield, Mass., does not seem to have survived to the present, nor do I spy a catalog pdf available on Archive.org.

 

[LesserSon]

LesserSon, thank you for this information! I have several of these and, like you, have always wondered who made them

Armed with your information, I just found these in the 1901 Illustrated Catalogue of Mechanics' Tools Manufactured by H. H. Mayhew Company.

So, do you think Mayhew made these for Disston, Disston made them for Mayhew, or a third party made them for both?

 

[Leviton]

So, do you think Mayhew made these for Disston, Disston made them for Mayhew, or a third party made them for both?

I have no idea. The "Monarch" name seems to be pretty well attached to Disston saw sets and to Mayhew screwdrivers. Monarch was attached to Mayhew screwdrivers as early as 1892. Your screwdriver seems to look a bit more like a Mayhew than a Disston.











(For what it's worth, Disston started making screwdrivers (not the beehive handles) clear back in 1866.)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

i assume the wf stands for war finish.

There's still a lot of open debate about the "W.F." marking on vintage Federal screwdrivers.

For many years the wartime collecting community speculated it might stand for "WAR FINISH". Until I found one with the "W.F." marking and an Ordnance Dept stock number. Since then, more of those have showed up. Typically, "WAR FINISH" was a marking mfgr's used on tools sold to civilians on the commercial market during WWII, to show that it was inferior to finishes they would use if not restricted. Making a "W.F." marking with a Govt customer marking counterintuitive.

A smaller contingent speculated Wright Field, which also seems unlikely. That was a designation otherwise confined to Plomb and it was their convention, not assigned to them by the USAAF.

Inconclusive.

 

[bullrocky]

There's still a lot of open debate about the "W.F." marking on vintage Federal screwdrivers.

For many years the wartime collecting community speculated it might stand for "WAR FINISH". Until I found one with the "W.F." marking and an Ordnance Dept stock number. Since then, more of those have showed up. Typically, "WAR FINISH" was a marking mfgr's used on tools sold to civilians on the commercial market during WWII, to show that it was inferior to finishes they would use if not restricted. Making a "W.F." marking with a Govt customer marking counterintuitive.

A smaller contingent speculated Wright Field, which also seems unlikely. That was a designation otherwise confined to Plomb and it was their convention, not assigned to them by the USAAF.

Inconclusive.

thank you ! good info..!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Snagged this handsome antique small jobbie with brass cap and ferrule this morning at the flea. No markings.

 

[LesserSon]

I picked up an unmarked (or worn-off) driver last weekend, which I think is a Stanley “Leader,” though it measures an anomolous 9-3/4”OAL. I speculate it started out life at 11”OAL, but has been ground to it’s present condition. Or maybe Stanley (or someone whi sourced from Stanley) offered them in a 10”OAL sometime other than the 1914 catalog.
The Disston “Electric” on the left is for comparison - many on this site are referring to bulbous-handles with circumcised grips in general as “beehive.”

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've been on a little hot streak finding unique screwdrivers lately, and I thought for sure this long reacher, with an OAL of 15", and a handle that is oddly nearly 5 x longer than the shank, with a nifty but simple tapering shape, was going to be another one. But no, it's legit. North Brothers "YANKEE" No. 90 with the 666,512 patent (January 22, 1901) on the ferrule.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

RTM PM'd me a typo correction on the patent number and a period catalog shot of a #90 and - as I should have known, especially because there are several examples on the thread, including one of mine! - the original handle was very typical for the era. As user mods go, I like this one.

 

[LesserSon]

So: it was originally a ratcheting SD, but maybe broke, and a thrifty PO added some length when replacing the handle?

 

[RTM]

#90 was a non ratcheting I believe.

North Bros. Mfg. Co. : 1912 Catalogue of Yankee Tools, Ice Cream Freezers, Etc. : North Brothers Manufacturing Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

124 p., illus., 23.3 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[LesserSon]

You are right, RTM!
So then 666512 cannot be the correct patent.
The bottom line is a patent date, not number: “PAT OCT 15 12”

 

[RTM]

You are right, RTM!
So then 666512 cannot be the correct patent.
The bottom line is a patent date, not number: “PAT OCT 15 12”

Argh, I was only looking at the 512 on the image he posted

Nice work, 1,041,451 looks better.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

So then 666512 cannot be the correct patent.

The bottom line is a patent date, not number: “PAT OCT 15 12”

I was only looking at the 512 on the image he posted

Same, because the marking in between "PAT." and "512" is not that great, or I may have gotten lazy, because I DO see the "1" in the "15" now upon closer inspection. So I literally went to DATAMP and found the patent ending in "512."

Thanks for clearing that up, LS.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think this is a Winchester. Based on what we've learned about the "CHAMPION" branding (it's on the shank, between two ovals) and the "lug-and-notch" or keyed ferrule. It's handsome! (EDIT: Shoot. Wrong thread. I'm going to leave it.)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

These old turnscrews just keep turning up for me. Not betting against it being homemade. Brass ferrule and pins. Does have some kind of marking. I can only make out this much with confidence... F _ _ _ A

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I plucked an old wooden box for $3 at the local swap meet a couple of days back. It was packed mostly old wood handle screwdrivers, but there were a few other items. Here are some pics of them. The Knapp & Cowles turnscrew and a small sewing kit Simanco together. Also a small Crescent which is in pretty good condition. Last pics are of an old Goodell Pratt driver. Some of the lot were not marked. Most of them show their age and experience with damage in the ferrule area. Ed

 

[kwigly]

Another old turnscrew. This one by Sargent & Co. It must have been hammered on as the blade has been driven into the brass ferrule, (but the abuse hasn't split the wood yet )

 

[LesserSon]

Just completed a restoration of a beehive screwdriver.
As found:
After scraping paint & rust from steel with another old screwdriver:

After sanding wood:

After shellac rubbed out with BLO:

 

[Old Radar]

Nice job, LS!

 

[rustyedge1]

I've always favored this Millers Falls No 63, don't use it much, just a looker.

 

[RTM]

After shellac rubbed out with BLO:

BLO over shellac? Did that dry OK? Or was the BLO just the lube for polishing? Looks good, mostly curious.

I would have gone BLO first, then shellac to seal.

Or used the BLO/ Turpentine/ Beeswax mix instead.

 

[LesserSon]

the BLO just the lube for polishing

Yes, that’s a better description

 

[alinc100]

Ok everyone, I found these two drivers/handles at a estate sale earlier this week. I've come up empty after reading this thread, Googling, Internet Archive etc. Does anyone recognize these drivers Yankee No.90 Stanley-Yankee Tools Phila PA U.S.A. I've got no idea what fits in the shaft. Bits? very small wing nuts? a tuner knob?

 

[Macduf]

Is this a reed prince? Interesting design

 

[RTM]

Is this a reed prince? Interesting design

Looks like mine, very pointy. But all mine are labeled.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I don't recall seeing a Reed Prince with an interchangeable bit before. Very cool, @Macduf.

 

[Mintgrun]

That's a very cool wooden stubby!

I don't recall seeing a Reed Prince with an interchangeable bit before.

Now you've seen two!

This one is marked Reed & Prince MFG. CO. Worchester Chicago.

 

[kwigly]

Found an odd screwdriver today. Nice wooden "London pattern" handle, and interesting right angle drive. [You hold the knurled part of the shaft and turn the wooden handle to operate the gears to turn the blade].
No markings found. Maybe English ?
Might be useful to get at those limited access screws in furniture.
Anyone seen one like this before ?

 

[Mintgrun]

I added the longest MAC screwdriver to the collection yesterday. Now it feels like I'm working on a set! It's fun to try to spot the MAC handles mixed in with all the cheap copies.



I also picked up a big old DASCO stubby and found it in their 1926 catalog, listed as a machinist's screwdriver.

Dasco : Tools & Cutlery No. 6 : Damascus Steel Products Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

76 p., illus., 21.6 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Based on that photo, someone has replaced the handle on this one, which probably explains the extra holes in the ferrule. I wonder if it was the same person who reground the tip. It's a handful!



Here's another photo, along with a bent-blade Phillips I found and an odd Perfect Handle tool. I wondered if it'd been forged out of a screwdriver, but I kind of doubt it. It's a sturdy little dagger that's shaped a lot like an oyster knife.



The red tip on that handle appears to match a few of the stubbies, which makes me wonder if they're all the same brand.

I posted this MULTIGRAPH screwdriver in the Winchester thread, due to the lug and notch ferrule; but I'll share it here too, just for the fun of it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Anyone seen one like this before?

Coolest thing I've seen in a while on GJ! A close quarter offset screwdriver - that turns! I have a similarly odd ratchet. There has to be a set of beveled gears in there to transfer the power of the shaft to the blade. That thing is awesome.

 

[d42jeep]

I added the longest MAC screwdriver to the collection yesterday. Now it feels like I'm working on a set! It's fun to try to spot the MAC handles mixed in with all the cheap copies.



I also picked up a big old DASCO stubby and found it in their 1926 catalog, listed as a machinist's screwdriver.

Dasco : Tools & Cutlery No. 6 : Damascus Steel Products Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

76 p., illus., 21.6 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Based on that photo, someone has replaced the handle on this one, which probably explains the extra holes in the ferrule. I wonder if it was the same person who reground the tip. It's Here's another photo, along with a bent-blade Phillips I found and an odd Perfect Handle tool. I wondered if it'd been forged out of a screwdriver, but I kind of doubt it. It's a sturdy little dagger that's shaped a lot like an oyster knife.

It likely started out like this prewar Irwin with the hex by the handle. I picked up this one lately.
-Don
It’s a little longer than my others.
From the 1940 Irwin catalog.

 

[AntiqueBen]

Found this beast today at an antique mall. I'm always a sucker for a good wooden handle screwdriver, but this one takes the cake. It's the longest screwdriver I think I've ever seen in the wild. It's 27 1/2" long, has a brass or copper collar & is heavy. It had some pitting but I lightly went over it with the sander to see what I had. I could keep going & take it down to a clean finish. Anyone know what this would be used for? Seems like it would have a specific purpose being this length. Unfortunately there are no makers marks. Any guesses on the manufacturer?

 

[RTM]

. Anyone know what this would be used for?

I find the long ones good for important jobs, like tighten the bolts in a toilet tank, without getting your hands wet.

I recently used another one for tightening a screw buried behind a piping header, so I didn’t need to shut the system down to change it all out.

 

[Steven 33]

I just can't seem to find any info on this screwdriver yankee no. 13 I see no. 12 and 11 I think but not a single no. 13 in my searches

 

[RTM]

I just can't seem to find any info on this screwdriver yankee no. 13 I see no. 12 and 11 I think but not a single no. 13 in my searches

Well, it is on the list, a quick flip thru catalogs didn’t show it, but someone found it.

Yankee Tools Checklist - M-WTCA

Yankee Tools Checklist David Erickson February 21, 1997 This is a compilation of all known Yankee tools, extracted from a half-dozen catalogs and advertisements spanning the period from 1895 to 1946, the year North Brothers was purchased by Stanley. There are even some post-1946 items in the...

mwtca.org

 

[Steven 33]

I knew it must be somewhere thanks! I really wish there was a price guide as I pretty much stick to snapon for collecting so I'm trying to figure out how much to ask for it with the no. 12 and 11 as a mini set if you had any ideas on that it would be much appreciated. I know some can be very valuable so I don't want to sell myself short or be unreasonable.

Also maybe you can help me out with another mystery here's a couple pictures. Have you ever heard of "Gays Combination"
I guess that's how I should refer to it I'm not sure but it says no. 1 and patent date is 1894 although it seems a little too nice to be that old but I can't find anything on this one at all