I found this socket in a tool box I bought. I cleaned it up a little but it was in great shape. The picture doesn't do it justice. I was surprised when I learned Bon E Con was the economy version. The appearance of this socket looks as good as any top of the line socket out today. Based on the age of the other tools in the toolbox I would guess this is from the 50s.
Spreading the Bonney affliction!
- Thread starter bonneyman
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Bonney always had really nice chrome. I'm not surprised even some of their "budget" line looks good. Done back when pride and craftsmanship were SOP.
d42jeep
Well-known member
First, I don’t think Bonney made screwdrivers before being bought in the 1950s, and maybe never. I think they contracted other manufacturers to brand them for sale in the Bonney catalogs. Either Stanley, or whoever may have made them for Stanley.
Second, like a lot of tool catalogs, Bonney’s illustrations seem to lag behind actual designs. Among the pdfs I have, screwdrivers first show up in 1934. The composite handles are identical to those in the 1934 Stanley catalog, looking mostly like yours except there is a ridged collar in the amber composite right where the shank emerges. (I don’t have any examples of that style.) In 1939 the handle you have makes its first appearance, but only on Phillips screwdrivers. The slot screwdrivers retain the same illustrations as the 1934 catalog until 1947, when both slot and Phillips are shown with your handle, but I believe they would have changed in 1939. Weirdly, the 1950 catalog reverts to the 1934 slot screwdriver illustrations, while retaining the 1939 Phillips and introducing the clutch head screwdrivers with the 1939 “Phillips” handles. The 1957 catalog seems (my pdf is a lower-res scan) to show a new handle identical to the 1958 Stanley, similar to yours, but with smooth flutes alternating with the ridged ones, and the flutes continuing onto the collar. At some point these flutes are colored black in both companies, and Stanley calls them “100 PLUS”.
If I were really trying to nail it down, I’d try to get more Stanley catalogs; I think they’d probably show the changing handle styles more immediately.
In any case, I believe the style you’ve got there was in production during WWII, and probably a bit before, and maybe a decade afterward. I have not seen enough to be certain, but I think the lighter yellow of the composite may indicate production at the later end of that range.
Second, like a lot of tool catalogs, Bonney’s illustrations seem to lag behind actual designs. Among the pdfs I have, screwdrivers first show up in 1934. The composite handles are identical to those in the 1934 Stanley catalog, looking mostly like yours except there is a ridged collar in the amber composite right where the shank emerges. (I don’t have any examples of that style.) In 1939 the handle you have makes its first appearance, but only on Phillips screwdrivers. The slot screwdrivers retain the same illustrations as the 1934 catalog until 1947, when both slot and Phillips are shown with your handle, but I believe they would have changed in 1939. Weirdly, the 1950 catalog reverts to the 1934 slot screwdriver illustrations, while retaining the 1939 Phillips and introducing the clutch head screwdrivers with the 1939 “Phillips” handles. The 1957 catalog seems (my pdf is a lower-res scan) to show a new handle identical to the 1958 Stanley, similar to yours, but with smooth flutes alternating with the ridged ones, and the flutes continuing onto the collar. At some point these flutes are colored black in both companies, and Stanley calls them “100 PLUS”.
If I were really trying to nail it down, I’d try to get more Stanley catalogs; I think they’d probably show the changing handle styles more immediately.
In any case, I believe the style you’ve got there was in production during WWII, and probably a bit before, and maybe a decade afterward. I have not seen enough to be certain, but I think the lighter yellow of the composite may indicate production at the later end of that range.
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Capt. Spaulding
Well-known member
Got some Bonney deep sockets last week at a garage sale and will be cleaning them up today after work. I’ll post pictures later.
In other news, I did a double-bypass-brain-transplant today. I have three identical 10” wood-handled Stillson wrenches. One was deeply pitted and missing the double-leaf spring (as well as the original handle-retaining nut). Another had a good surface, but a broken single-leaf spring. So I pried up the rivet on both single-leafs, cleaned the whole one and installed it on the better wrench. I have a fourth 10 inch-er apart awaiting attention, but it’s from a different production period.
Last weekend, I had a Stanley “sweetheart” 10” wood-handled Stillson wrench in my hands at the flea. The vendor said, “that’s $5.” It was pretty rusty, but I would have liked it to compare to the Bonneys, and a couple other brands I have. This was the same vendor who had been practically giving away DOES and and DBEs two weeks earlier. So I set it down and started away. “How much will you give me?” he says. “I’d give you a dollar,” I say. “Junk yard will give me a dollar,” he says. I smiled and kept walking. I’ve sold scrap iron, and it is not worth the gas. He’d need a dozen or more wrenches to get a dollar out of a scrap yard. Still, I probably should have offered two dollars, in the interest of science.
Last weekend, I had a Stanley “sweetheart” 10” wood-handled Stillson wrench in my hands at the flea. The vendor said, “that’s $5.” It was pretty rusty, but I would have liked it to compare to the Bonneys, and a couple other brands I have. This was the same vendor who had been practically giving away DOES and and DBEs two weeks earlier. So I set it down and started away. “How much will you give me?” he says. “I’d give you a dollar,” I say. “Junk yard will give me a dollar,” he says. I smiled and kept walking. I’ve sold scrap iron, and it is not worth the gas. He’d need a dozen or more wrenches to get a dollar out of a scrap yard. Still, I probably should have offered two dollars, in the interest of science.
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Username already in use
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I agree with LS on the timeframe. The round ferrule was being used up through the wartime years. Post war drivers changed to a hex shaped at the top of the handle.
Here's a wartime comparison of the Bonney S01 and the equivalent (identical) Stanley driver.
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d42jeep
Well-known member
I agree with LS on the timeframe. The round ferrule was being used up through the wartime years. Post war drivers changed to a hex shaped at the top of the handle.
Here's a wartime comparison of the Bonney S01 and the equivalent (identical) Stanley driver.
Thanks, guys! So would you use it for a 41-S-1228 Electricians Screwdriver? The blade is the perfect length and it’s nice and narrow.
-Do
Username already in use
Well-known member
Looks spot on with the ‘cabinet tip’. Nice find.
eBay delivery this morning: a 2629 Jab Saw, marked Alliance, OH. I thought having it in my hands would help me to understand it better. Not so.
The 1963 catalog says it will reach into places other saws won’t operate, but I am a bit perplexed at what this saw will cut, with only a couple milimeters of teeth exposed. Sheetmetal, I guess, inside something with round access holes, like an electric box?
I guess it’s a slight improvement (the blade support) over the Disston and other similar-function jab saw handles.
The 1963 catalog says it will reach into places other saws won’t operate, but I am a bit perplexed at what this saw will cut, with only a couple milimeters of teeth exposed. Sheetmetal, I guess, inside something with round access holes, like an electric box?
I guess it’s a slight improvement (the blade support) over the Disston and other similar-function jab saw handles.
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Limited as it may be, coolest thing I've seen all week - and I don't normally say that about any inferior Ohio or South Carolina Bonney pieces! 
3baygarage
Well-known member
Neat saws LS. I have the Blue Point version handy. See them in other brands too I think.
It reads: made in USA For Snap On Tools Corp. Kenosha Wis..
It reads: made in USA For Snap On Tools Corp. Kenosha Wis..
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four.cycle
Well-known member
Negen
Well-known member
Just bought these nos pliers seem nice. I think they are probably the nicest pliers I own. The first picture isn't mine. It was from the listing. 
Mikeske
Well-known member
Mikeske
Well-known member
Dayum!
Oh yeah and got for $45.00 plus shipping. I could not pass it up
Mikeske
Well-known member
The 3/8ths inch universal socket set is listed in the 1981 Bonney catalog as a new item but when I examined the label it has 80324 above the kit number and I think that it is the date code of March 24, 1980.
I did carefully remove the plastic and inspect the universals and they are in perfect condition and no damage or scratches. They still have the oil from the factory on the sockets. I was careful not to rub it off and I placed the sockets in my Bonney socket drawer of my toolbox.
I did carefully remove the plastic and inspect the universals and they are in perfect condition and no damage or scratches. They still have the oil from the factory on the sockets. I was careful not to rub it off and I placed the sockets in my Bonney socket drawer of my toolbox.
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A Tale of Two Bonneys:
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. I got home after a four-hour drive from Thanksgiving dinner at my parents’ house, to transfer some hush-hush items from my car to a fellow GJ member’s car, noticing my USPS carrier’s van parked down the street. Finished loading, said goodbyes, and headed inside. Noticed the mailing pouch on the table, and that it had a small tear in the flap.
Uh-oh! One of the two metric Streamlined combos I’d bought online was MISSING! Messaged the vendor immediately, donned my coat and back out to see the van was gone. Walked the block, lookong for the wrench. No luck. Back inside, Mrs LesserSon suggested the van usually delivers in a westward direction. Headed back out. Nothing. Another block, then toward a cul-de-sac. Just as I round the corner, I spot the van! But it’s heading down an alley! It’s finished in our neighborhood. I start to run.
It turns right, I follow at best speed, wondering how in the twilight I can get the carrier’s attention.
Ah-ha! It’s stopped around the next corner, flashers on. More packages! I hang back so as not to surprise the carrier. There seems to be a lot of rummaging going on.
“Excuse me...”
Didn’t hear me.
“Excuse me.”
Still nothing.
Slowly she turns. “Excuse me,” I describe my block and ask if she was just delivering there half an hour before. “Yes.” I describe my package, and the missing wrench.
“Oh, yes, Here it is.” No label, no way to trace it to the package, the sender, or me.
Wow! I’m so happy, I wish her a merry Christmas a month early!
Got home and messaged the vendor back - they were asking for a picture - no further action required.
I’m so glad I didn’t give up. Really brightened my evening.
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. I got home after a four-hour drive from Thanksgiving dinner at my parents’ house, to transfer some hush-hush items from my car to a fellow GJ member’s car, noticing my USPS carrier’s van parked down the street. Finished loading, said goodbyes, and headed inside. Noticed the mailing pouch on the table, and that it had a small tear in the flap.
Uh-oh! One of the two metric Streamlined combos I’d bought online was MISSING! Messaged the vendor immediately, donned my coat and back out to see the van was gone. Walked the block, lookong for the wrench. No luck. Back inside, Mrs LesserSon suggested the van usually delivers in a westward direction. Headed back out. Nothing. Another block, then toward a cul-de-sac. Just as I round the corner, I spot the van! But it’s heading down an alley! It’s finished in our neighborhood. I start to run.
It turns right, I follow at best speed, wondering how in the twilight I can get the carrier’s attention.
Ah-ha! It’s stopped around the next corner, flashers on. More packages! I hang back so as not to surprise the carrier. There seems to be a lot of rummaging going on.
“Excuse me...”
Didn’t hear me.
“Excuse me.”
Still nothing.
Slowly she turns. “Excuse me,” I describe my block and ask if she was just delivering there half an hour before. “Yes.” I describe my package, and the missing wrench.
“Oh, yes, Here it is.” No label, no way to trace it to the package, the sender, or me.
Wow! I’m so happy, I wish her a merry Christmas a month early!
Got home and messaged the vendor back - they were asking for a picture - no further action required.
I’m so glad I didn’t give up. Really brightened my evening.
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Mikeske
Well-known member
That is another example of poor packaging. I always complain to the folks that sell on eBay to properly package as I had empty envelopes arrive at my place also. How hard would it be to package it in a small box with a little bubble wrap around the tools. That is how my universal sockets were package in a box and bubble wrap around the smaller box.
Stillgottimefor1
Well-known member
B.S. or Whitworth Bonney
Don’t know anything about it. Do you?
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Don’t know anything about it. Do you?
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
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Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
I think I have a DOE that is whitworth, can’t remember if it is streamline or outline.
Stillgottimefor1
Well-known member
Is that about the oval outlines on the wrench? Haven’t heard anything about this..
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
That’s a Bonney Outline combo. Streamlined is earlier and would have depressions where the loops are. Look back at my last post for an example of two Streamlined metric combos (both made in 1959).
Metric is MEB + mm. Whitworth is WEB + 32nds”. SAE follows an arbitrary industry convention 11xx. Perhaps you already know Whitworth sizes do not express the across flats, but rather the diameter of the bolt shaft.
I have not seen one marked British Standard.
Here’s a pic of my SAE Streamlined.
Metric is MEB + mm. Whitworth is WEB + 32nds”. SAE follows an arbitrary industry convention 11xx. Perhaps you already know Whitworth sizes do not express the across flats, but rather the diameter of the bolt shaft.
I have not seen one marked British Standard.
Here’s a pic of my SAE Streamlined.
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Stillgottimefor1
Well-known member
Didn’t know where they got the wrench size, always wondered ‘if this is 1/2, then what is it half OF?”
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Glad your US mailperson found that wrench, LS!
After nearly 48 hours of Nor'easter wind and rain I finally unloaded the formerly hush-hush items from my car.
Here is one of them!
A c. 1923 “Lithographed Metal Front Display Board” for Bonney Drop-Forged Wrench Assortment No. 65.
The metal has some rust I need to delicately take care of without losing any more of that fading orange.
The maker of the board, The American Art Works, in Coshocton, Ohio, is famous in its own right.
Believe it or not, at one time in this country, well over 65% of all specialty advertising items came from AAW. Chances are if you have or you have seen a vintage metal tray emblazoned with Coca-Cola or Pabst Blue Ribbon imagery, it was done by AAW. Links here and here for further reading.
I’m not sure why the image in the 1923 catalog isn’t in color, but THIS is my board!
The board for Bonney Drop-Forged Wrench Assortment No. 80 from the same catalog is in color.
Note that it is described as “similar to Nos. 60, 65, and 70 in that the Board is sheet metal framed in wood.”
It goes on to say that, “The Bonney color scheme of orange and black is carried out in this number as well as in the others,” going further on to point out that “the display of black wrenches against the orange background is very effective.”
I will be testing that theory just as soon as I can catch my breath, clean it up, load it up with wrenches, and figure out an appropriate place of honor to display it in the Lugzsonian!
I think that's my cue!
After nearly 48 hours of Nor'easter wind and rain I finally unloaded the formerly hush-hush items from my car.
Here is one of them!
A c. 1923 “Lithographed Metal Front Display Board” for Bonney Drop-Forged Wrench Assortment No. 65.
The metal has some rust I need to delicately take care of without losing any more of that fading orange.
The maker of the board, The American Art Works, in Coshocton, Ohio, is famous in its own right.
Believe it or not, at one time in this country, well over 65% of all specialty advertising items came from AAW. Chances are if you have or you have seen a vintage metal tray emblazoned with Coca-Cola or Pabst Blue Ribbon imagery, it was done by AAW. Links here and here for further reading.
I’m not sure why the image in the 1923 catalog isn’t in color, but THIS is my board!
The board for Bonney Drop-Forged Wrench Assortment No. 80 from the same catalog is in color.
Note that it is described as “similar to Nos. 60, 65, and 70 in that the Board is sheet metal framed in wood.”
It goes on to say that, “The Bonney color scheme of orange and black is carried out in this number as well as in the others,” going further on to point out that “the display of black wrenches against the orange background is very effective.”
I will be testing that theory just as soon as I can catch my breath, clean it up, load it up with wrenches, and figure out an appropriate place of honor to display it in the Lugzsonian!
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twertsy
Well-known member
The Proper Place" would be the Twertsonian.....Glad your US mailperson found that wrench, LS!
I think that's my cue! [emoji481]
After nearly 48 hours of Nor'easter wind and rain I finally unloaded the formerly hush-hush items from my car.
Here is one of them!
A c. 1923 “Lithographed Metal Front Display Board” for Bonney Drop-Forged Wrench Assortment No. 65.
The metal has some rust I need to delicately take care of without losing any more of that fading orange.
The maker of the board, The American Art Works, in Coshocton, Ohio, is famous in its own right.
Believe it or not, at one time in this country, well over 65% of all specialty advertising items came from AAW. Chances are if you have or you have seen a vintage metal tray emblazoned with Coca-Cola or Pabst Blue Ribbon imagery, it was done by AAW. Links here and here for further reading.
I’m not sure why the image in the 1923 catalog isn’t in color, but THIS is my board!
The board for Bonney Drop-Forged Wrench Assortment No. 80 from the same catalog is in color.
Note that it is described as “similar to Nos. 60, 65, and 70 in that the Board is sheet metal framed in wood.”
It goes on to say that, “The Bonney color scheme of orange and black is carried out in this number as well as in the others,” going further on to point out that “the display of black wrenches against the orange background is very effective.”
I will be testing that theory just as soon as I can catch my breath, clean it up, load it up with wrenches, and figure out an appropriate place of honor to display it in the Lugzsonian! [emoji106]
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Haha!
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r_olson_06
Well-known member
Amazing board (Along with the others). Post some pics and let me know what your missing once you have it together. I picked up an old snappy box with about 100 bonney pieces in it.
Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3060, 3061, 3070
Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3060, 3061, 3070
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Thanks, Roy. Will do.
Mikeske
Well-known member
Mikeske
Well-known member
twertsy
Well-known member
3baygarage
Well-known member
Nice! That must be the badge I posted. I like that dark wood old look and the guarantee.
twertsy
Well-known member
It's in amazing shape, apart from a couple missing hangers. Got it from eBay Canada.
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r_olson_06
Well-known member
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Sweet, Todd!
Between that and the B&S badge, all you need is some aged wood and hangers for two tool boards!
twertsy
Well-known member
Yes, DOEs 10xx and 17xx series. I have another coming just like it but with a label on the bottom also. Forgive the pic quality.
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