The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread!

[Private Lugnutz]

As I mentioned on the 2018 Garage Sale thread, I picked up this New Britain 3/8-inch drive set at the flea market yesterday. The only thing disappointing about this find is no decal on or under the lid of the box. Otherwise, this set thrills me. The pieces were rusty, and that has left some spotty stains and revealed some mild mottling and pitting on some of the sockets after clean-up, but overall the tools are in good presentable condition. Missing at the very least the NB1218 (9/16”) socket, and, based on the size of the socket tray, probably the NB1210 (5/16”), and possibly NB1226 (13/16”) and NB1228 (7/8”), maybe even some 8-pointers.

CONTENTS:

NB41 Reversible Ratchet
NB21 6” Short Extension
NB22 11” Long Extension
Seven (7) 12-Point Sockets
NB1212 3/8”
NB1214 7/16”
NB1216 1/2”
NB1219 19/32”
NB1220 5/8”
NB1222 11/16”
NB1224 3/4”

I have to admit, I have never seen an NB41 ratchet with a round shank or with a round selector on the face of the ratchet. The Costello patents had several variants, but the shank between the handle and the head was flat and paneled, not round, with a fancy direction selector that emerged from the mechanism through a slot below the head, sitting in the paneled shank, which evolved in style from long with Frankenstein buttons, to long, to short. The handles evolved from three knurled bands to fully knurled. Everything else is recognizable. But that shank and especially the selector are a real headscratcher.

I really wish Tools Archive was up! Has anyone seen this NB41 before? Does anyone else have a New Britain reversible ratchet in any drive size from this era with a selector like this? Is it just a blind spot for me?

Everything else in the set (extensions and sockets) are very typical for 1940’s New Britain.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Additional close-ups of the strange rat, extensions, and smallest and largest sockets.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

After some quick searches, including what little is shown of the Tool Archives entry in snippet-only format (no NB-41 on AA), I did manage to see a few other examples. Prevailing theory seems to be immediate postwar production, before the move to the Fors patent. I can buy that or at least have no objection to it.

Here is a pairing with the other more familiar style.

 

[Username already in use]

Part of an old Husky 3/8" drive set followed me home today. Box, short extension, 2 shallow and 3 deep sockets. There was some Taiwan **** in the box with the Husky tools but I left that stuff behind for someone else.

 

[d42jeep]

Part of an old Husky 3/8" drive set followed me home today. Box, short extension, 2 shallow and 3 deep sockets. There was some Taiwan **** in the box with the Husky tools but I left that stuff behind for someone else.

I’ll bet that you will shortly fill that box up. Any guesses about when it was made?
I solved my problem of not being able to find a New Britain 1/4” drive 7/16” socket by picking up this partial set on eBay. Now I should be able to put a pretty complete set together.
-Don

 

[Catfishdan]

Part of an old Husky 3/8" drive set followed me home today. Box, short extension, 2 shallow and 3 deep sockets. There was some Taiwan **** in the box with the Husky tools but I left that stuff behind for someone else. [emoji481]

I have a couple of similar husky/new Brittan sets. Not sure of the age, but they seem fairly complete. Everything is marked CB-**. I see the ratchets and breaker bars fairly regularly. I'll grab them next time one turns up.





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[d42jeep]

Here is a 1/4” drive None Better set made from the sockets sent to me by Paul M upthread. Thanks again, Paul!
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I also took some time and added my Craftsman BE 1/4” drive tools to my Craftsman box and put together my New Britain sets. Top to bottom, New Britain sets, None Better and Craftsman BE.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

I also took some time and added my Craftsman BE 1/4” drive tools to my Craftsman box and put together my New Britain sets. Top to bottom, New Britain sets, None Better and Craftsman BE.

Those midget sets look great, Don. You're missing a Husky and a Mustang 1/4" set and you'll have the whole family!

I brought home this wartime New Britain DBE. You don't see too many wartime wrenches from New Britain. I think most of their war production was in socket and drive tools. I really like the design for this style wrench. 3/4" and 25/32" openings.

 

[twertsy]

I've been trying to build a set of those......then last week I found a shorty DBE, starting yet another obsession.

Those midget sets look great, Don. You're missing a Husky and a Mustang 1/4" set and you'll have the whole family! [emoji38]_hitti

I brought home this wartime New Britain DBE. You don't see too many wartime wrenches from New Britain. I think most of their war production was in socket and drive tools. I really like the design for this style wrench. 3/4" and 25/32" openings.

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[leg17]

I brought home this wartime New Britain DBE. You don't see too many wartime wrenches from New Britain. I think most of their war production was in socket and drive tools. I really like the design for this style wrench. 3/4" and 25/32" openings.

How is the 'wartime' identified?
Thanks

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my shorty offset. I’ve never found another of this style. AA dates these from 1944 to 1950. I assume it was made during the war due to the lack of chrome plating.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

I've been trying to build a set of those......then last week I found a shorty DBE, starting yet another obsession.

Todd, 3/4" and 25/32" isn't a size that I need. If it fills a gap for you, let me know and I'll put it with the rest of the stuff I have here for you.

How is the 'wartime' identified?

The style of wrench (design) that was being produced at the time and a lack of any plating. New Britain was chrome plating wrenches before and after the war, so it's an easy tell.

 

[leg17]

I have picked up a couple of these.
The smaller one seems to be chrome plated.
Were there six sizes, NDF-300 to NDF-305?
I'm looking for others.

 

[Username already in use]

Nice wrenches leg17. The smaller one looks like the stamped pad is polished, not chrome. If it were chromed, I would imagine that the rest of the wrench would look bright as well.

 

[leg17]

Nice wrenches leg17. The smaller one looks like the stamped pad is polished, not chrome. If it were chromed, I would imagine that the rest of the wrench would look bright as well.

I'll take a closer look over the weekend.
Thanks for the tip.
How many sizes were there??

 

[d42jeep]

I found a couple of tools today that I assume were made by New Britain. First is a pair of locking pliers marked Husky. Next is a cracked Mustang marked socket and a well used socket sent to me by username marked chrome with the None Better symbol.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

Nice locking pliers, Don. I have an eerily similar pair marked BONNEY. Nice find. Hey, there's still a little bit of chrome on that None Better socket!

Here's my New Britain take for the weekend. New Britain 15/16" combo, Phillips #1 driver, and a Mac X8R that sure looks New Britain...

 

[MShaw]

"Mac X8R that sure looks New Britain..." Yes, NB made ratchets for Mac when I worked there in the early 1970s. I have a Mac long arm 3/4" drive ratchet I bought from the company then.

 

[leg17]

I have picked up a couple of these.
The smaller one seems to be chrome plated.
Were there six sizes, NDF-300 to NDF-305?
I'm looking for others.

Username already in use
Default Re: The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread!
Nice wrenches leg17. The smaller one looks like the stamped pad is polished, not chrome. If it were chromed, I would imagine that the rest of the wrench would look bright as well.

Definitely Chrome. Only the pads were polished prior but chrome all over.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this late ‘40s almost complete 1/2” drive set at a Tahoe garage sale. I’m looking for the 13/16” and 1” sockets with the double lines of knurling that had been replaced with some other sockets. I’m also looking for other pieces that might have come in the set. The last picture is after a bit of cleaning.
-Don

 

[notlob]

Hey Don -

I have a nice 1/2" NB breaker bar that may be correct for that set. I'll post up a pic.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks B.B. I’ll be in the Bay Area for a weekend in a couple of weeks. We should get together.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice snag, Don. I'll check my orphans.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Lugz! Tin Medic has a 9/16” socket and Phil has the 1” covered. I’m still looking for the 13/16” socket, short extension and u-joint. Username is donating a bonus 31/32” matching socket. There is plenty of room in the box. What do you think the chances are of finding a 1/2” crossbar? I may have an earlier sliding tee at the other house.
-Don

 

[notlob]

Don -

Here's the breaker bar. Finish is plain steel with some ancient BLO over a good part of it. I'll check for the 13/16 socket and short ext.

Let me know when you are returning to (un)civilization!

 

[notlob]

I wish I could figure out the rotated pics thing. They are oriented correctly (horizontally) on my comp.

 

[notlob]

What do you think the chances are of finding a 1/2” crossbar?
-Don

Don -

I believe I have a tommy bar to go with the breaker bar. It may require a prodigious Plomb presentation in order to change hands...

 

[WagonHo!]

Picked up this Napa/New Britain bushing remover set for $15. It’s missing 1 pc but still has the parts list inside. The seller was grouchy as hell but parting with this was probably the reason.

 

[d42jeep]

Don -

I believe I have a tommy bar to go with the breaker bar. It may require a prodigious Plomb presentation in order to change hands...

Ooh, that sounds painful. I might have something along those lines. I’ll send you an email. The bar looks great and matches the cleaned up ratchet really well.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No dice on your missing pcs, Don.

By pure koinkydink, I did run into an older-than-yours NB set today at the early bird.

The box is definitively NB. They were using this style attache case well into the late 40's and I matched it by its shape, clasps, etc, to several catalogs. The leather on the free-swinging handle is completely missing, only the metal strap that was inside remains.

Not everything in the box is Circle-NB, but most of the pcs are, including the speeder, the universal joint, and twenty (20) of the sockets. Size range is typical (7/16 to 1-1/8). The presence of all the /32nds sockets and three sizes with 8-point dupes is what puts the number of sockets so high. All the sockets are identical, but have two different markings split about 60/40. All of the sockets have the Circle-NB logo and MADE in U.S.A. But, as noted above, some of them are marked CHROME and some of them are marked CHROME VANADIUM with a C-series model number. The universal joint also has a C-series model number. All of the sockets have hyphenated sizes except the sockets larger than 1". That all of them are original to each other and the box I have no doubt, despite the two different markings. I suspect it was produced in a transition period.

Note the cross bar. Not sure it's NB. More on why below.

What's most strange to me - and I welcome thoughts on this - is the layout of the box. There is NO space for a ratchet or a hinge handle ("flex handle" as NB called them at this time). So-called "spinner sets" in this era usually have just a hinge handle and sockets. Maybe an extension or two. No other handles. I am not familiar with the concept of a "speeder set", and I am stopping just short of actually suggesting that's what this is, but again, the space where the swing of the speeder goes, the slot where the handle and shank of the speeder goes, and those extra socket areas will NOT accommodate a ratchet or a hinge handle. At first when I was looking the set over I thought, "Okay, I am missing a few handles, but look at all those sockets, and I have the speeder, and the cross bar. I can find a ratchet and a hinge handle." But then I started thinking about where a hinge handle and a ratchet would even fit in the case. Again, nowhere.

Earliest catalogs I have access to for New Britain are a 1938 Husky and a 1940 NB. I am confident this set is early to mid 1930's. But it sure would be nice to look through some early to mid 1930's NB catalogs.

Also, this is my first introduction to NB C-series numbers, although I sort of recall reading about them before. This may be too simplistic, and almost too obvious, but it's impossible for anyone familiar with Craftsman and their C-series sets and NB's later production for Craftsman (BE, (H)) and wonder if there is a connection. The fact that Snap-on was Craftsman's supplier for the C-series nullifies the wonder, but still, it just seems like there's something there.

I will post more pics when I get the set home, sorted out, and cleaned up.

 

[Username already in use]

Nice find Lugz.
I have a similar set of Hinsdale sockets. The box is laid out in the same way. When I found mine, the sockets were stored in the two compartments at the top of the box and the handles were in the bottom compartment. Maybe try and rearrange the contents that way and see if you can get the handles to fit?

 

[twertsy]

I found this wartime looking almost complete 1/2” drive set at a Tahoe garage sale. I’m looking for the 13/16” and 1” sockets with the double lines of knurling that had been replaced with some other sockets. I’m also looking for other pieces that might have come in the set. The last picture is after a bit of cleaning.
-Don

I have the 1" Don. Also have a couple 1 1/16 if you need.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have a similar set of Hinsdale sockets. The box is laid out in the same way. When I found mine, the sockets were stored in the two compartments at the top of the box and the handles were in the bottom compartment. Maybe try and rearrange the contents that way and see if you can get the handles to fit?

Doh! Of course! I think that's the explanation. Where is the sheepish self-deprecating dummy emoticon?

 

[d42jeep]

I have the 1" Don. Also have a couple 1 1/16 if you need.

Thanks, Todd. Phil has an extra 1” and a better 15/16” socket set aside for me so those are covered. I dipped the rusty half of the ratchet in Evaporust and it cleaned right up.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I might've used a little too much force on the clean-up of the inside of the NB case, which was so absolutely caked in box crud that it was hard to distinguish box crud from black paint, but it came out okay. I believe the industrial gray on the outside is an old repaint and it was black exterior and interior originally. There are the remains of what appears to be a label on the inside of the lid.

As UNAIU suggested, plenty of space for handles in the long tray with the sockets in the "corner pocket" trays.

No markings on the speeder except MADE IN U.S.A. and the Circle-NB logo.

No markings on the tommy bar whatsoever, which does have a retention ball.

There was a valve lapper attachment in the box, but it looks like same era Duro or possibly Hinsdale to me.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I already talked about the two different socket markings, but here's the list detailing which were marked with CHROME and which were marked with CHROME VANADIUM and a C- series part number, if anyone was curious/for future reference.

7-16 CHROME
9-16 CHROME
9-16 CHROME (8-point)
19-32 CHROME
5-8 CHROME
5-8 CHROME (8-point)
21-32 CHROME
11-16 CHROME
11-16 CHROME (8-point)
3-4 CHROME
13-16 CHROME
25-32 CHROME VANADIUM C-23
7-8 CHROME
15-16 CHROME VANADIUM C-26
31-32 CHROME VANADIUM C-27
1" CHROME
1-1/16 CHROME
1-1/8 CHROME
Universal Joint CHROME VANADIUM C-47

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Close-ups of the 12-pointers... (Heavy walls and cold broach shoulders.)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Close-ups of the rest of the 12-pointers, the three (3) 8-pointers, and the U joint.

 

[CRTDI]

Close-ups of the rest of the 12-pointers, the three (3) 8-pointers, and the U joint.

Those are nice looking sockets..

Just wondering, the circle NB logo = None Better or New Britain?