Can you tell me more about this set and if this was a special edition, if I have a box like yours do I assume it was a part of that set? I noticed the handle similarities, never saw one like that before as they mostly were black plastic, AFIK?
Hi Cajun,
I don’t know too much about the Cman Whitworth set other than what’s depicted and described in the 1960 hand tool catalog. If you take another look at my post above, the tools in the set are shown and described. Some of the other guys here might know more, but I think I’ve only seen it advertised in the 1960 catalog, so I don’t think it was around too long. On the same page of the catalog, four piece Whitworth DBE and DOE wrench sets were available as was a ten piece socket set with a 15” breaker and cross handle. Open stock, individual Whitworth tools were also available. I guess Sears combined the eight wrenches, ten sockets, and a few other common tools to make a complete Whitworth “set.” As for the tool box, yes, it’s included as a tool and counted as one of the 25 pieces. If you look at the picture from the catalog, the box appears to have two latches, but no padlock latch. I think that style of box is from the early 1960s and had a metal handle. It may have been black plastic too. I’m not really sure. I was really looking for a nice original, unrestored, box with two latches, and no padlock latch. The handle on my box is metal. It has a tapered socket compartment, and did not come with a lift out tray.
As for the rarity of the tools, I found that the sockets were the toughest to come by, followed by the DBE wrenches. The DOE wrenches seemed to be the least difficult to find of the Whitworth tools. The 6” and 10” extensions and speed wrench are no problem. Getting the correct ratchet was a little tougher. The breaker bar is also easy, but the cross bar that goes with it might give you some trouble. Finding a box in nice condition also took some time. So there you have it. If you need some photos, let me know. Time to start working on the 26 piece metric set.
Jim C.
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
IMG_2968 by Cajun Firehawk, on Flickr
