Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
DATAMP has a decent write-up on the Gay's driver.
Let's show our wood (screwdrivers)
- Thread starter gungatim
- Start date
Looks like I have the specific one they referenced that says gay Combination no 1 now I'll just have to see if there's a market for it. Thanks!
Provincial
Well-known member
I picked up this set of wood handled gunsmith's screwdrivers early in September. The pouch is labelled Grace Metal Products, who I believe modified the tips to fit the screw slots properly. Upon further inspection, I found that the ferrules are marked MAC Sabina, which must have supplied them for modification.
Interestingly, there was one screwdriver included that obviously wasn't included in the original set, since the tip had never been modified. It also did not have the MAC marking on the ferrule, but was ink stamped Irwin 800=2 on the handle. The handle is identical to the Grace/MAC handles, as is the shaft, so I am comfortable in saying that Irwin was the OEM for the pieces in the set, MAC was the vendor, and Grace modified them for the application.
The Irwin is second from the bottom in the photo.
Interestingly, there was one screwdriver included that obviously wasn't included in the original set, since the tip had never been modified. It also did not have the MAC marking on the ferrule, but was ink stamped Irwin 800=2 on the handle. The handle is identical to the Grace/MAC handles, as is the shaft, so I am comfortable in saying that Irwin was the OEM for the pieces in the set, MAC was the vendor, and Grace modified them for the application.
The Irwin is second from the bottom in the photo.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Picked up a couple goodies at the flea this morning.
I have a couple of these stout extra heavy duty machinists' stubbies, a BHM Matchless and Blue-Point undoubtedly made for them by BHM. This is my first Stanley HURWOOD.
Only my second J.J. RYAN. They have a very distinctive hex shoulder. Not exclusive, to them, of course, but it is their hallmark. I'm still not quite positive why they get to use the "Perfect Handle" name or why they can call this the "original" Wrench Grip PH, unless they inherited the line from H.D. SMITH, which I have surmised but don't remember resolving in the past.
I have a couple of these stout extra heavy duty machinists' stubbies, a BHM Matchless and Blue-Point undoubtedly made for them by BHM. This is my first Stanley HURWOOD.
Only my second J.J. RYAN. They have a very distinctive hex shoulder. Not exclusive, to them, of course, but it is their hallmark. I'm still not quite positive why they get to use the "Perfect Handle" name or why they can call this the "original" Wrench Grip PH, unless they inherited the line from H.D. SMITH, which I have surmised but don't remember resolving in the past.
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d42jeep
Well-known member
Here are a couple of Stanley Hurwood screwdrivers I cleaned up recently.
-Don
-Don
Old Radar
Well-known member
Here's a Goodell-Pratt Co. No. 676, Pat. Appl'd For with a 4" shank (including the ferrule) that I picked up a couple of days ago at an estate sale. It was in pretty bad shape with the shank bent about 15 degrees, so they let me have it for free. I worked on it and was able to get it mostly straight again. The flutes on the handle are completely worn off so I decided to go the full Monty, re-staining with Mahogany stain and coating with satin Poly. 0000 steel wool got the ferrule, **** plate and shaft back in shape.
The only thing I didn't address is the worn edge of the blade. I didn't want to change the geometry of the blade to avoid a thickened edge and since I have plenty of screwdrivers, I can afford to retire this 100 year old veteran. The 1922 Goodell-Pratt catalog No. 15 shows this driver as a "New Tool" and indicates the patent is applied for.
The only thing I didn't address is the worn edge of the blade. I didn't want to change the geometry of the blade to avoid a thickened edge and since I have plenty of screwdrivers, I can afford to retire this 100 year old veteran. The 1922 Goodell-Pratt catalog No. 15 shows this driver as a "New Tool" and indicates the patent is applied for.
d42jeep
Well-known member
I found these at sales today. The big Phillips is Bridgeport, the #1 Phillips I’m not so sure about and the third one is unmarked. 
-Don
-Don
Mintgrun
Well-known member
The logo is upside down in your photos, but I'll bet it says BONNEY WP1. Here's an online image of a BONNEY WP2. I'm guessing the WP stands for Wooden Phillips, or something like that.
That's a neat one. It's the first one I've seen with the logo on the blade, instead of the ferrule.
d42jeep
Well-known member
Thanks! I’m sure you nailed it. Here they are right side up.The logo is upside down in your photos, but I'll bet it says BONNEY WP1. Here's an online image of a BONNEY WP2. I'm guessing the WP stands for Wooden Phillips, or something like that.
That's a neat one. It's the first one I've seen with the logo on the blade, instead of the ferrule.
-Don
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Amen, brudder. Real nice find.
I almost tossed it back with the blank ferrule!
d42jeep
Well-known member
Here are before and after pictures of a Stanley screwdriver and a mystery screwdriver with an unusual ferrule. Anyone recognize it?
Stanley before
Stanley after
Mystery driver before
Mystery driver after
-Don
Stanley before
Stanley after
Mystery driver before
Mystery driver after
-Don
snorvet
Well-known member
My house set. Along with a few pocket knives. The house set doesn't get much work.
Don, the ferrule of the mystery driver looks a LOT like the ones Mayhew used on their Monarch “beehive” screwdrivers, circa 1901. Disston’s Electric “beehive” screwdrivers, too.Here are before and after pictures of a Stanley screwdriver and a mystery screwdriver with an unusual ferrule. Anyone recognize it?
Stanley before
Stanley after
Mystery driver before
Mystery driver after
-Don
Really, only the fluted, rather than ribbed, handle is different, but it is VERY different.
NONE of the flats has a stamp?
kyrbz
Well-known member
Some Felo wood handled screwdrivers I keep in the tool roll in my 2CV
d42jeep
Well-known member
No markings whatsoever. Maybe a later Mayhew or Disston? I’ll check some catalogs. Thanks for the suggestions.
-Don
Some Felo wood handled screwdrivers I keep in the tool roll in my 2CV
They’re awesome. One of the last toolsets I gifted my dad before he got too laid up for tools.
Youse guys that don’t venture far from the Vintage forum owe it to yourself to put your hands on some wooden Felos!
Farmer J.
Well-known member
I think the handles are made in this workshop:Some Felo wood handled screwdrivers I keep in the tool roll in my 2CV
By these people:
http://www.drechslerei-zimmer.de/produkte/griffe/gedrehte-griffe/
Translated from their website:
"At the confluence of three mountain streams, on a scenic spot in the valleys of the Thuringian Forest, Our family business has been located near the town of Schmalkalden for many years. Our ancestors had been working as woodturners since 1847. Since then, the diverse experiences have been passed on from generation to generation. In this way, our company has developed into a dynamic company in which tradition and experience go hand in hand with the latest technology."
"Screwdriver handles with single and double leather disc, natural light lacquered version, also various other shapes and colors"
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Where's the "single or double leather disc"? The end cap?
Yeah, theoretically protecting the wood handle if you should choose to hammer strike the exposed shaft.
Definitely don’t want to poke around an electical box with these.
Fun thread.
Here's a couple of catalog pages. Left showing another "beehive" type maker, Whitcomb. In the "Giant" driver description on the right page the implication is that "Champion" drivers are a type rather than a brand.
Here's a couple of catalog pages. Left showing another "beehive" type maker, Whitcomb. In the "Giant" driver description on the right page the implication is that "Champion" drivers are a type rather than a brand.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^
Champion / Champion screwdriver see Union Hardware Co., Torrington, CT /
Champion / Champion screwdriver see Union Hardware Co., Torrington, CT /
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Beehive “Electric” update:
I’ve been slowly finding (often spattered with paint) and refinishing (shellac rubbed down with BLO) these.
I think I have a good run from 7” down to 2” shanks. (The little guy at bottom is a lookalike, imo, probably for sewing machines.)
The Disston catalog indicates I only have the three longest ones (12, 10, & 8”) left to find.
This attractive 'beehive' design is apparently used on door knobs and other things popular around the Edwardian period, after 1901. I got sent an email blog about the designs, so here's the link if anyone wants to read a bit more about it.
I have bought a few things from the author, very well done reproduction door latches. Steve Davies knows a lot about period designs!
Designing with Vintage Door knobs
Vintage Door Knob Centre - Specialists in vintage door knobs, Victorian door handles, vintage keyhole covers and other vintage door hardware.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I brought this (Not So) Perfect Handle screwdriver home from the flea today. Despite the back end looking like something that washed up on the beach, it's actually well-constructed. Flat through-shank. Riveted. Nothing loose. The slabs had some shape when new. And note the unusual orientation. Perfect Handle inserts or scales are in the same plane as the blade. These are turned 90*, due to the flat shank being perpendicular. No markings. Possibly homemade. Or just early.
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I have one of those too. Definitely a weird design.
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Old Radar
Well-known member
Manufactured by Bridgeport Hardware Manufacturing Co., the ferrule is stamped NON SKID No.5, & Patent No. 1,738,405.
Patent was granted 3 Dec 1929. It still has some of the non-skid grooves on the tip and is in overall great shape for a screwdriver pushing 100.
Patent was granted 3 Dec 1929. It still has some of the non-skid grooves on the tip and is in overall great shape for a screwdriver pushing 100.
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I guess that's Mechanic's Tool and Forge
thefraze_1020
Well-known member
I wish this one had markings on it. It is in very good shape, and I can tell it's a very high quality screwdriver. The tip has a "cross-hatch" pattern grind on it, and the handle has every so slight fluting, which is more apparent by feel than by looks. The blade is 3/16" wide, and the shaft is 3" from the end of the tip to the bottom of the ferrule. But, alas, there are absolutely no markings on it.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
four.cycle
Well-known member
tres bien 
d42jeep
Well-known member
I couldn’t find any markings on this nice driver but maybe someone will recognize it by the handle. 
-Don
-Don
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I saw this reddish beehive handle in a toolbox at the flea this morning and it turned out to be the No. 8 Tool Holder for a Stanley Replaceable Bit Screwdriver. No sign of the bits anywhere, unfortunately. I emptied the box and scoured the whole table to no avail. (It's a shame it wasn't the No. 88, which may have had the bits inside, in which case I might've been posting this on the 'Hollow Handle' thread instead!) Catalog excerpt is 1950. Shank is marked 'PAT. PEND.,' so it should be fairly easy to narrow the age down once the patent is identified.
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I still have not located the patent that the "PAT. PEND." marking on the shank refers to, but I have narrowed it down quite a bit. The No. 8 Replaceable Bit Screw Driver is not included in the 1937 catalog, but it is included in the 1941 catalog, where it's called "New" at the top of the page, implying its introduction. So, sometime between 1938 and 1940. (I'm not a Stanley guy, but I'm a little surprised this is the only one I can find on GJ, based on a term search, anyway. I thought it would be more common, with the bits, and that the Stanley guys would know the patent.)
RTM
Well-known member
Hmm, interesting, my Walter's Stanley bible says there were two #8 tool handles. The first being released from 1870 - 92, OAL is 6" long. The second has the dates you mentioned, starting in 1941-64, OAL 8-1/4".
In the patent section, under Tool Handles, there is only 1, 62938, from 1867
Look it up, let me know. The overall length might be an easy clue.
Will look for a hard copy catalog from that era later, too many people watching for me to walk away.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
The 1867 patent is for an awl handle, describing the means for securing the removable awl bits in a taper-type ferrule, as well as storing unused awl bits in the handle. (DATAMP page says "Not know to have been produced," by the way.) That patent would not cover the 1941 No. 8 tool even if it wasn't expired for over 70 years.
The "PAT. PEND." has to be referring to something submitted in the 1939, 1940, or 1941 range, and granted shortly thereafter.
The "PAT. PEND." has to be referring to something submitted in the 1939, 1940, or 1941 range, and granted shortly thereafter.