The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread!

[Sam'sAutoParts]

That is a really clean looking set.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Could not resist it. I am a sucker for 30s craftsman stuff.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some pre long C BE sockets. Oddly, I’ve run across more of the large ones than the smaller ones.
-Don

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Nice 1/2" set OTG. Don, that's the most sockets marked like that I've seen at one time. Jealous here!!

 

[d42jeep]

Nice 1/2" set OTG. Don, that's the most sockets marked like that I've seen at one time. Jealous here!!

They could be yours. Shoot me an email.
-Don

 

[r_olson_06]

When was the stamping changed? I assume the 9-16 is older than 9/16. Is that correct?

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[d42jeep]

I believe that is correct. Those sockets are 30s and don’t have the long C. The next newer group have the underlined C and begin to get away from the - and start to go exclusively to the /. Here is a long C set with some of both styles that has moved along to Tin Medic.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

Found this 14MM NewBritain combo yesterday. First one I've found.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

They could be yours. Shoot me an email.
-Don

Message sent Don. Thanks.

 

[d42jeep]

These will be heading to JoCo’s collection today.
-Don

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Little Sparta 1/4” set I picked up Monday. It was missing a 3/8” socket, but I found one in my stash. The screw starter was included and is a New Britain. I think I may be missing an extension still, but I need to do some research.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Username already in use]

Nice Sparta set!
Mine looks to be a bit larger. I've got a short extension and sockets only. No drive tools to go along with it.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice. I have been piecing this one together for a while now.

 

[406Rich]

Here's my stash NB /Craftsman circle H from Kenosha Wisc..

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Nice Sparta Sets!

I don’t collect the NBM made Craftsman but I have to admit that they are some beautiful tools.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RubiconJK]

Little Sparta 1/4” set I picked up Monday. It was missing a 3/8” socket, but I found one in my stash. The screw starter was included and is a New Britain. I think I may be missing an extension still, but I need to do some research.

Nice Sparta set!
Mine looks to be a bit larger. I've got a short extension and sockets only. No drive tools to go along with it.

Nice. I have been piecing this one together for a while now.

Those are all nice. For some reason I haven't seen much of the Sparta stuff in my area.

 

[twertsy]

Here's my stash NB /Craftsman circle H from Kenosha Wisc..

Kenosha? Circle H are from New Britain, CT.

 

[406Rich]

Kenosha? Circle H are from New Britain, CT.

I read on the Alloy Artifacts that the circle H was from Kenosha plant, the H was a carry over from the original Husky MFG, they kept it for plant designation from 1931/32, only the BE was from New Britain, CT.... I`ll see if I can find it again and post it.

 

[twertsy]

I read on the Alloy Artifacts that the circle H was from Kenosha plant, the H was a carry over from the original Husky MFG, they kept it for plant designation from 1931/32, only the BE was from New Britain, CT.... I`ll see if I can find it again and post it.

The timeline for Circle H and BE is traditionally thought to begin ca. 1938ish (I think it's closer to 1936). The Husky plant was shut down, content auctioned and the remainder moved to NB in December of 1934 / January 1935.

 

[406Rich]

Not sure of when just going by what I read, this here from A.A. A. (Using multiple codes should not have been be a problem as long as the maker let Sears know in advance. There actually are some examples of this -- New Britain Machine used both a "BE" code and an H-Circle code for its production of sockets and drive tools. The "BE" code was used first and may have been assigned by Sears, but the H-Circle code was almost certainly intended to indicate production at a particular factory, the old Husky facility in Kenosha.

This example points out an implicit use of the manufacturer's codes. Since the codes are associated with failed product returns, a company may wish to use the codes as part of its quality control system, in particular to identify a production facility.)
Now I have to find the notation about the last year of production at the Kenosha Husky plant about the change in circle H code being used and that New Britain retained it

 

[406Rich]

Still finding info on the Circle H depicting the Kenosha plant, (New Britain made an extensive line of socket tools for the Sears Craftsman brand during the 1930s and 40s, and the tools were marked with either a "BE" or H-Circle manufacturing code. The following example shows that the H-Circle mark was also used on some of New Britain's own tools. The likely meaning is that it indicates production at the old Husky facility, which is known to have used an H-Circle mark in the early 1930s.) and the None Better wrenches stamped with Circle H made in Kenosha..

 

[twertsy]

All I can say is I believe he's incorrect. All equipment in the Husky plant was auctioned off at the end of 1934.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[3baygarage]

Added a 1/4 drive Billings example. Powderkeg’s chart may need an update on the Kilness side.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Added another 3/8” metric set, this time from eBay. Tray has very little wear, and the sticker is still legible.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice. Hard to find one with a good decal.

 

[Username already in use]

Found this New Britain made JC Penny Penncraft 3/8" socket set at the flea on Sunday. Only missing the short 11/16" socket.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Pictures are not working for me, but it sounds like a good find. I will take a look in my stash for a 11/16” socket.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Oldtuleguy]

No pics for me either

 

[d42jeep]

Until he repairs his picture links, here is the shot Username sent me of the set as found.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Thanks don. I was curious to see that one.

 

[Username already in use]

Weird, the pics are showing up for me...
Let's try this again, shall we?

Everything was covered in orange powdery rust when I got them, but they cleaned up really well.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Just as a heads up, your pics in other threads were also affected for some reason, Unaiu.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Wow, much nicer then I imagined!

 

[Username already in use]

Just as a heads up, your pics in other threads were also affected for some reason, Unaiu.

Thanks for the heads up. I think I've got them all fixed now.

Wow, much nicer then I imagined!

Thanks Sam! Let me know if you have an extra 11/16".

 

[Climatecreator]

Old husky ratchet thought I'd share.

Has a few odd pieces in the box I'll have to see if there's any more sockets in my collection to complete the kit.

CC

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's the open gear ratchet they made and branded NB, Husky, and also Craftsman BE/(H) for Sears in the late 30's through 1946. Maybe it's just me, but the label on that lid looks later than that. I haven't really tracked Husky sets though. Neat find.

 

[lardy1]

I have a set of 1/4" thru 1" combination wrenches stamped with the NAPA branding. Their model numbers begin with NDF and then two numbers. I suspect (but really don't know) that they ae New Britain because they sold very similar wrenches branded New Britain. Nice, balanced, matte finished wrenches. I began putting them together as a beater set of wrenches to keep from kicking my nice chrome SK wrenches around on a concrete floor. It wasn't long before they became my first line wrenches. I really like the fit and the feel of them.

 

[drivesitfar]

Lardy: I hear you cause I love my Plvmb and Williams and SK and Blackhawk and ..., but I have a set of Husky laying around that i tend to grab and use just cause it's handy and easy to grab. i agree it also is feels good in my hands.

ALL: has anybody made a post of all the NEW BRITAIN tool names that have been made or posted on this thread. I have a few NAPA like Lardy just posted and more than a few HUSKY, but wondering how many other names there are.

is there a list already made and which post or who has a few minutes to list all of them please do cause I do like the quality.

I think I saw JC Penny as i was scanning a few posts on one set of wrenches.

thoughts?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Drives: If there is such a list, I'm not aware of it.

I don't know anything about New Britain after 1950. But here is a list for their brands or brands of tools made by them for others before 1950...

1. New Britain
2. NONE BETTER
3. Craftsman BE
4. Craftsman (H)
5. Husky
6. MUSTANG
7. Precision-Bilt (Spiegel)

...and if I am neglecting any, someone can add on from there.

 

[drivesitfar]

LUG: thanks for the start of the list!!!

I'm sure I have more than a few of those in a drawer, bucket or box around here that I can post when I GET ORGANIZED (those words might be put on my headstone if I die before my wife does).

New Britain made tools do have a good luck and feel and i've got a few new old stock Husky sets somewhere that I really liked.

for years I had a small Kennedy 2 drawer top box with Craftsman VV in it until I started to like OLD BETTER QUALITY TOOLS BETTER. although the VV's were a good tool and still are they are almost too shiney for me to use now.

ALL: so I think we can add to Lug's list with:

1) Napa
2) JC PENNY
3) TBD?

any help is much appreciated!!