Is there a code? Is that a Circle-H I see?
Brian does seem to have an issue with observation lately, doesn't he?
Catfishdan said:
Well, it is anecdotal (i.e., based on my flea markets and my personal experience), but I've never seen a 4" flexible extension or a 6" flexible spinner handle in the wild with Craftsman BE or (H) markings. As you know, I do see pretty much everything, though, representatively, and it looks like at least a few others have a similar experience. I am not a regular eBay shopper, but someone who is may have a different experience.
I meant to reply to this and forgot. Nope. It's the pyroxylin (cellulose dinitrate and camphor) used in early plastics, trademarked as "Pyralin" by Arlington Manufacturing. Chemically, it's very close to being a rocket propellant. Blue-Point was using it on their amber, translucent "Insuloid" handles as early as 1933. Duro-Chrome used it. Apparently New Britain as well. It was banned in 1951 expressly because of its volatility. Anyway, when you see these in old boxes all disintegrated it's the long, slow effects of it off-gassing. And when they're in close proximity to steel tools, it can turn them white. EDIT: Why some survive relatively okay and some not has to do with environmental storage conditions, I think.
I remember reading somewhere that gun cleaning solvent, like Hoppes #9, can help remove the smell. Use a good scrubbing to work it in.
I read somewhere that heat and humidity exacerbate the process. That doesn't have to mean the difference between Arizona and South Carolina. But in a cardboard box in a basement in Pennsylvania versus a steel box in a garage in Pennsylvania. For instance.When Todd found this set the handle was totally trashed but the same year handle that Tin Medic sent me looks fine and they are both marked 1942.
I'm sure it is. Not only was the shaft extremely rusty, the Ratchet and even the case in close proximity to the spinner had surface rust.
