Need Some Proto Info

[ritestuff]

I picked up these two ratcheting crowsfoot thingys at an estate sale today. Both are nearly identical in design, but the Proto one seems newer. The older "Tubing Appliance Co." tool also has the letters TAC on it, just as the Proto does. The part numbers seem to coordinate as well. Did Proto acquire the patent, or did they acquire the TAC company itself?

Also, what would be the approximate age of each tool be? Thanks in advance.

 

[notlob]

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/proto-empire.html#tac

 

[ritestuff]

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/proto-empire.html#tac

Thanks for the quick reply. Makes sense now. Wonder how come there never was a Plomb version of this tool since they acquired TAC before Proto acquired them.

 

[mustangSR70]

Because Plomb branded tools only go to '48, when Plomb started branding their tools Proto. Plomb was the company, Proto was the brand. TAC was acquired by Plomb Tool Company, maker of Proto. Proto didn't acquire Plomb.

 

[ritestuff]

Because Plomb branded tools only go to '48, when Plomb started branding their tools Proto. Plomb was the company, Proto was the brand. TAC was acquired by Plomb Tool Company, maker of Proto. Proto didn't acquire Plomb.

Thanks for the clarification. I appreciate it.