DOE Husky wrenches

[alton1911]

I am a big fan of vintage Husky wrenches. I found a number of different styles
of wrenches I assume are from different suppliers and different times. I would appreciate any information on any of the logo styles.





Thanks in advance,
alton1911

 

[DadsTools]

It's my understanding that Husky was owned and made by New Britain Machine until it closed around 1990, then Stanley bought the brand name and intellectual property. Can't say I know much about all the various design changes through the years, but from the few wrenches I handled from that period, the designs seemed to parallel other NBM brand names like Mustang. For example, the recessed handle 3/8 pear head ratchets from the 1950s are virtually identical whether they're marked New Britain, Husky or Mustang.

Once Stanley took over, the wrenches very much resemble the Stanley USA.

It's important to note. however, that at some point in the 2000s I believe the manufacture of these moved overseas (just like the stanley-marked wrenches). Similar to what happened with Thorsen, the USA ones will all be marked USA. If there's no USA mark, they're imported. Your photos don't show the other side of the wrenches, so I can't say which are which.

It does appear as if some of the wrenches are full polish. I would think these are of a more recent design.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Generally speaking, I think the underlined logo is older. Husky was bought out around 1930, then again by new britain a few years later. I am not sure if husky ever made any wrenches in their brief existence, i think just socket sets. Everything later was relabled new britain.

 

[DadsTools]

Generally speaking, I think the underlined logo is older. Husky was bought out around 1930, then again by new britain a few years later. I am not sure if husky ever made any wrenches in their brief existence, i think just socket sets. Everything later was relabled new britain.

I think you're correct that the full underline is earlier than the partial underline.

I've seen a number of Husky-marked wrenches and sockets that look exactly like either NBM marked examples or those marked with one of NB's other brands. Once Stanley bought the name, that all changed.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes the Stanley stuff seems to have lost the underlined logo

 

[alton1911]

These are all marked USA on the reverse side. I know some Stanley wrenches of similar vintage were actually marked USA even though they were produced elsewhere. I am not sure how to tell. They are very well made, but they seem to have almost no wear.
Thanks again
alton1911

 

[four.cycle]

Husky Wrench Co., Milwaukee, WI (1924-1929) / Kenosha, WI (1929-193?) (Olsen Mfg.) / New Britain, CT (193?-197?) (New Britain Machine) / Litton Industries (197?-1986) / acquired by Stanley 1986 /
(* I could be off on some of these dates. Check TA or AA. )

see: http://toolarchives.com/node/286

see: http://alloy-artifacts.org/husky-wrench.html

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

All but the top wrench appear to be Stanley, or possibly Litton Made. The underline wrench appears to be early New Britain Made.

Link to the New Britain and related brands thread....

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277603

 

[twertsy]

Husky Wrench Co., Milwaukee, WI (1924-1929) / Kenosha, WI (1929-193?) (Olsen Mfg.) / New Britain, CT (193?-197?) (New Britain Machine) / Litton Industries (197?-1986) / acquired by Stanley 1986 /
(* I could be off on some of these dates. Check TA or AA. )

see: http://toolarchives.com/node/286

see: http://alloy-artifacts.org/husky-wrench.html

I've been doing a bit more research on this.

August, 1933 - Gordon, Inc. is selling Husky Wrench sets "from the Bankrupt Husky Tool Factory"

December, 1934 - All contents of the Husky Factory are auctioned off. Equipment is purchased by New Britain Machine and moved to CT.

Ca. 1941(ish) - NB begins marketing the Husky brand again.

 

[6PTsocket]

Husky Wrench Co., Milwaukee, WI (1924-1929) / Kenosha, WI (1929-193?) (Olsen Mfg.) / New Britain, CT (193?-197?) (New Britain Machine) / Litton Industries (197?-1986) / acquired by Stanley 1986 /
(* I could be off on some of these dates. Check TA or AA. )

see: http://toolarchives.com/node/286

see: http://alloy-artifacts.org/husky-wrench.html

I have a question. All accounts here, end with Stanley acquiring Husky. How did it become a Home Depot house brand? Who owns it today? Is it sold anywhere else or just at HD? Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[four.cycle]

^ I may be mistaken, but I believe it was a Home Depot thing prior to the Stanley Black & Decker acquisition.
There are all kinds of little 1/4" drive socket sets out there in the second-hand market with labels inside the lid saying something along the line of "...if this product fails... return to your local Home Depot...."

I do not know the timelines, that's why that entry above is full of question marks on the dates.

 

[MShaw]

I do know that when I worked for New Britain in the early 1970s all the Husky wrenches were raised panel and I believe they continued that way to the end of New Britain. So as stated above non raised panel Husky was either before 1973 or after Stanley. The only info. I am lacking is how much before 1073

 

[alton1911]

I have some Husky sockets with an underlined logo that I believe were produced by New Britain, they have a knurled ring close to the bottom and are strikingly similar to the New Britain sockets and some Craftsman circle H coded sockets I have.






Thanks again,
alton1911

 

[DadsTools]

I have some Husky sockets with an underlined logo that I believe were produced by New Britain, they have a knurled ring close to the bottom and are strikingly similar to the New Britain sockets and some Craftsman circle H coded sockets I have.






Thanks again,
alton1911

I believe you are correctamundo. I have similar artifacts, including one marked Mustang, which we know was also made by NBM.

 

[DadsTools]

^ I may be mistaken, but I believe it was a Home Depot thing prior to the Stanley Black & Decker acquisition.
There are all kinds of little 1/4" drive socket sets out there in the second-hand market with labels inside the lid saying something along the line of "...if this product fails... return to your local Home Depot...."

I do not know the timelines, that's why that entry above is full of question marks on the dates.

According to Wikipedia (for what that's worth), Home Depot was founded in 1978, and that the arrangement with Stanley for Husky tools began in 1992. While it does not state whether HD carried Husky before that, the exclusive was granted in 1992. It also states that sometime thereafter, Stanley also transferred the rights to the name to HD, which is how they sell non-tool items with the Husky brand name.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have some Husky sockets with an underlined logo that I believe were produced by New Britain,

All of the sockets, ratchets, handles, and extensions marked script New Britain, NONE BETTER, underline Husky, and Long C Craftsman -BE- and (H) are identical, all made by New Britain.