Mystery Cushion Grip Screwdrivers

[thefraze_1020]

I know there is an existing thread about cushion grip clones in the General Tool Discussion, but these look vintage, so I wanted to post it here. I have come across two cushion grip screwdrivers, and I cannot for the life of me identify who made them. Both have "Pat. No. 2871899" and "Made in U.S.A." on the grip, and the larger slotted head driver has "Tool Steel U.S.A." on the shank. Under the cushion grips, both screwdrivers have a distinctive yellow four-point fluted handle. I know the patent referenced is the Bridgeport patent granted in 1959, but these look nothing like Bridgeport drivers. Looking through various catalogs, I cannot find any screwdrivers that look like these. Any ideas?

 

[woody 73]

Interesting.

John H. Coyle, Julius L. Vargovicsik Improved screwdriver Handle.

The patent Date was April 16th,1958 and the invention was a new and improved tool handle that can withstand greater torque when turning screws. The original assignee was the Bridgeport Hardware Mfg. Corp and I am assuming that the name "PRIDE" must have been assigned to that screwdriver line...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Lesserstore]

I have a Reed & Prince screwdriver like those, except the blade says No. 2 R&P Made in USA instead of Tool Steel USA. Bridgeport offered a lower end line of rubber grip screwdrivers with handles identical to those, known as Super Grip in the 1959 catalog, and as Leader in the 1963 catalog. That blade marking, however, was commonly used by Rosco, and I think I have seen some Roscos with that handle so maybe Bridgeport sold handles to them.

 

[thefraze_1020]

I'll be hot-darned! My initial knee-jerk gut feeling that they are Bridgeport was right! I was doubtful, since both the handle and grip were different from normal Bridgeport screwdrivers of the era. Any idea how long these were made?

 

[d42jeep]

I found this screwdriver yesterday at an estate sale. I was surprised to see that it was marked Bridgeport.
-Don

 

[jeffmoss26]

got this yesterday at the restore, it references the same patent

 

[TnClimber]

Looks like old Klein stuff like we had at bell phone company. Craig

 

[y0ungmezy]

Looks like old Klein stuff like we had at bell phone company. Craig

Makes sense. I have one of these thar t was my dad's, he worked for Pac Bell in the 70s and 80s

 

[d42jeep]

I found another of the likely Bridgeport slotted screwdrivers marked only with the patent number. It will go into the Bridgeport box.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

Rosco also used that same patent, but the front ends of the handles on the specimens in this thread don't look like Rosco to me.

Rosco / Rosenberg Bros. & Co., Smithtown, L.I., NY / acquired by Vermont American 1974 / screwdriver / 2871899 Feb 3 1959 John H. Coyle et al & 3080900 Mar 12 1963 Ross Rosenberg / http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2012/10/vanished-tool-makes-rosco.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/rosco-tools.442126/ /

 

[bonneyman]

I found another of the likely Bridgeport slotted screwdrivers marked only with the patent number. It will go into the Bridgeport box.
-Don

I like how the shank flares out for more contact where it meets the handle. Looks nice, took extra effort, and makes for more area when you are pushing in on a fastener.

 

[Shergar]

I know there is an existing thread about cushion grip clones in the General Tool Discussion, but these look vintage, so I wanted to post it here. I have come across two cushion grip screwdrivers, and I cannot for the life of me identify who made them. Both have "Pat. No. 2871899" and "Made in U.S.A." on the grip, and the larger slotted head driver has "Tool Steel U.S.A." on the shank. Under the cushion grips, both screwdrivers have a distinctive yellow four-point fluted handle. I know the patent referenced is the Bridgeport patent granted in 1959, but these look nothing like Bridgeport drivers. Looking through various catalogs, I cannot find any screwdrivers that look like these. Any ideas?

I’m not sure if the original poster is still active, but can throw some further confusion into the fire? “Pat No 2871899” has resurfaced But with an Irwin logo attached!



Purchased at a British “Bootsale” (translation: Fleamarket) for a £1 ($1.35) a piece as new old stock USA made Irwin in 2026, I think I did ok!




However there is one final twist - A & L is moulded into the edge of the grip….

 

[Lesserstore]

I’m not sure if the original poster is still active, but can throw some further confusion into the fire? “Pat No 2871899” has resurfaced But with an Irwin logo attached!



Purchased at a British “Bootsale” (translation: Fleamarket) for a £1 ($1.35) a piece as new old stock USA made Irwin in 2026, I think I did ok!




However there is one final twist - A & L is moulded into the edge of the grip….

A&L was a manufacturer of plastic handles for screwdrivers and chisels, etc. for other companies. They were bought by Pratt-Read at some point iirc, and then by Ideal after they bought PR.

 

[thefraze_1020]

I'm here! It's been a while since I logged on. When I buy new tools anymore, I try to keep the original packaging since it provides more information than just the tool does. The Irwin screwdrivers are cool, especially with the packaging.

 

[Shergar]

Nice to see you back