c. 1920's Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19

Private Lugnutz · Jul 17, 2019

The “Allen” in this Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19…

…is Allen Manufacturing in Hartford, Conn., the company most famous for its eponymous hex keys or “Allen wrenches” used in conjunction with set or safety screws, patented (960,244) by W.G. Allen in 1910.

The "Bay State" in the name is the same as the Bay State Tool Company that supplied Sears, Roebuck & Company its first-ever socket set, the Autokit No. 1, famous for their giant CatCar decal. But it's a few ownership changes (Bay State -> Tudor Mfgr -> Bay State Pump Company) later.

I don’t own a Bay State Autokit No. 1, but Coolford does, and he posted it on GJ here.

I do own a partial Bay State Autokit No. 35 set which I found in an old Phillies cigar tin for a box.

Note that the “B. St.” on the handle of the ratchet is for Bay State, and that they changed their name to the Bay State Pump Company in 1916.

I don’t know if Allen’s use of the “Bay State” name was an attempt to allude to that type of socket set for marketing purposes, but it is certainly a possible and perhaps probable explanation. I don’t know how they got away with it, frankly. Imagine if Blackhawk had decided to call their late 1930’s through late 1940’s socket-to-handle connection technology “Snap-On” instead of “Lock-On”!

Here is a 1922 ad.

And that is only the second most interesting thing about this set.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Private Lugnutz · Jul 17, 2019

The coolest thing is the ratchet wrench, ratchet head, or ratcheting mechanism, which we would call a “ratchet adaptor” today.

It can be used with the L-shaped extension or a tommy bar through a cross-drilled hole to make an L- or a T-handle.

Previously, and in disagreement with Alloy Artifacts on this point, I had given the honor of the earliest “ratchet adaptor” to Eastern Machine Screw for the H&G Ratchet Wrench, patented (1,428,840) on September 12, 1922. You can see that ratchet head in my Eastern Machine Screw H&G set write-up linked here. They beat AA-anointed Snap-on and Snap-on’s first “ratchet adaptor” (No. 6) to the patent punch by a few months (1,443,413 , January 20, 1923).

But now I suppose I have to very unexpectedly give the honor to Allen Manufacturing, which was granted patent 1,371,350 on March 15, 1921.

I will emphasize that Eastern’s inline, reversible design, which Snap-on would not duplicate until 1939, was much more sophisticated than both Snap-on’s open-geared, spring-loaded No. 6 clutch or Allen’s crude manual external cam-pin (or “dog” as the patent calls it).

MORE TO FOLLOW

Private Lugnutz · Jul 17, 2019

Let’s look at the ratchet adaptor more closely.

Here is the patent, a zoom on the diagrams so you can see the individual pieces, and the description.

And here are some better views of my ratchet adaptor to go long with the patent designs.

My ratchet head is missing the cam-faced pin or “dog” that should act like a pawl against the “peripherally toothed wheel” at the bottom of that hole, recessed inside the end. It is supposed to be in that opening. That spring would supply frictional tension to the pin or dog.

When the ratchet is turned in one direction, it would push the cam-faced pin over to the next tooth, with reverse pressure forcing it against the other side of the tooth when turning the fastener. To reverse direction, the user literally pulled the pin up (away from the gear), rotated it 180*, thereby reversing the cam face on the end of the pin, and then releasing it again.

The other piece that you see mounted to the screw next to the opening is what he called a “safety catch”, meant to prevent the pin from being inadvertently completely removed or lost.

I am going to try to fabricate the pin or dog.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Private Lugnutz · Jul 17, 2019

As you can see, my ratchet head is marked “PAT. APLD. FOR”.

Twertsy has a Bay State No. 19 set with a much more intact decal….
(you can actually read the branding)

…a ratchet adaptor with "PAT. 3-15-1921" marked on it…

…and more importantly, no external dog or safety catch!

I am speculating that Todd’s set is later than this one, and in ensuing years Allen must have internalized the mechanism but didn’t bother patenting that improvement. Perhaps Todd or anyone else who may have that version cold explain how the direction is reversed.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Private Lugnutz · Jul 17, 2019

Here are some photos of the other pieces in the set.

And the latch.

RStewart · Jul 17, 2019

That sure is pretty. Thanks

Private Lugnutz · Jul 18, 2019

Thanks, R. I will feel better when I can get the pin made and the wrench actually ratchets.

Mike'smeatshop · Jun 13, 2023

I know this is an older thread but I have picked up so much here. Would the box be related with Allen, Bay State? Thanks.

Private Lugnutz · Jun 13, 2023

Mike'smeatshop said:
I know this is an older thread...

Reviving dormant threads rather than starting new ones on the same topics is exactly the right thing to do.

Mike'smeatshop said:
Would the box be related with Allen, Bay State?

I don't know if their production of these hex drive socket sets and tools lasted long enough to be put into steel boxes, Mike, but all the hex tools look like Allen Mfg to me. The ingenious early ratchet adapter is not an easy piece to find.

Well done.

Mike'smeatshop · Jun 13, 2023

Thanks. After I asked I found that even S-K made hex sockets so no marks on it, it could be anyone.

Oldtuleguy · Oct 9, 2023

Some bay state stuff. Posted one before on 1921 sockets thread, but I'll put them both here as well.

Private Lugnutz · Oct 9, 2023

That's a really nice label on the No. 19, OTG. But that early kit, the same one that was eventually the first automotive socket set that Sears, Roebuck & Company ever sold, is museum quality gorgeous.

Oldtuleguy · Oct 9, 2023

It was busted in pieces when I got it. Fortunately a bit of clamping and gluing resurrected it

Mike'smeatshop · Oct 9, 2023

Oldtuleguy said:
Some bay state stuff. Posted one before on 1921 sockets thread, but I'll put them both here as well.

Those are nice. Did you just get those?

Oldtuleguy · Oct 9, 2023

There is one on ebay now. I have seen a few lately but usually a bit pricey.

Antique ALLEN Mfg Company Bay State Ratchet & Socket Wrench No. 18 USA wood case | eBay

One piece is not part of set but it was in case so including it. Item was used, is old, estate find. What you see is what you will receive. Make selections carefully as we do not cancel orders.

www.ebay.com

Private Lugnutz · Oct 9, 2023

Oldtuleguy said:
It was busted in pieces when I got it. Fortunately a bit of clamping and gluing resurrected it

Nice work.

Patrick Eubanks · Jan 24, 2024

Oldtuleguy said:
There is one on ebay now. I have seen a few lately but usually a bit pricey.

Antique ALLEN Mfg Company Bay State Ratchet & Socket Wrench No. 18 USA wood case | eBay

One piece is not part of set but it was in case so including it. Item was used, is old, estate find. What you see is what you will receive. Make selections carefully as we do not cancel orders.

www.ebay.com

Please keep an eye out for me. I have the tools but need the box

Oldtuleguy · Jan 24, 2024

They pop up. Just be patient!

Patrick Eubanks · Feb 23, 2024

Bay state number 2 kit. Some interesting features like the built in ******** the box. I’ll include some pics. Cool stuff.

Private Lugnutz · Feb 23, 2024

Patrick Eubanks said:
....the built in ******** the box.

I like it! In my opinion, those authentic kinds of mods enhance collectibles.

Patrick Eubanks · Feb 23, 2024

Private Lugnutz said:
I like it! In my opinion, those authentic kinds of mods enhance collectibles.

Not a mod. As far as I can tell. It appears as anoriginal part of the box. No front clasp like the standard box.

Patrick Eubanks · Feb 23, 2024

Here is the standard box

Private Lugnutz · Feb 23, 2024

Even cooler!

four.cycle · Apr 16, 2024

this hardly qualifies as "vintage" at present, but it probably will soon enough, and since this is the only "Allen" thread:

Allen 19 piece 3/8" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Steel Box

manufactured by Allen Mfg. Co., Hartford, Connecticut U.S.A.

this set includes:

11208 3/8" 12-pt std socket
11209 7/16" 12-pt std socket
1216 1/2" 12-pt std socket (* Fleet brand *)
11211 9/16" 12-pt std socket
11212 5/8" 12-pt std socket
11213 11/16" 12-pt std socket
11214 3/4" 12-pt std socket

11258 3/8" 12-pt deep-well socket
11259 7/16" 12-pt deep-well socket
11260 1/2" 12-pt deep-well socket
11261 9/16" 12-pt deep-well socket
11262 5/8" 12-pt deep-well socket
11263 11/16" 12-pt deep-well socket
11264 3/4" 12-pt deep-well socket

11910 5 inch Extension
11913 RHFT Reversible Ratchet
B1404 Universal Joint (* Williams U.S.A. *)
---- 3 inch Extension (* Mastercraft Taiwan *)

Steel Box

MR.X · May 7, 2024

So this is from a 1924 version of the book pictured. Looks like a Bay State socket set to me. The book kind of implies that these are examples of tool assortments used by Repairmen on Fords rather than official kits. This book has tons of great illustrations with explanations.

four.cycle · Jun 16, 2024

Bay State / see Allen Mfg. Co., Hartford, CT /

Bay State / Bay State "Auto-Kit" see Bay State Tool Co. /

Bay State / Bay State Pump Co., 564 East First St., Boston, MA / see Bay State Tool Co. /

* Not to be confused with:
Bay State / Bay State Tap & Die Co., Mansfield, MA / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-bay-state-tap-die-company.383551/ / https://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2015/04/vanished-tool-makers-bay-state-tap-die.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-bay-state-tap-die-set.166955/ /

Bay State / Bay State Tool Co., 249 Washington St., Boston, MA / see also Tudor / patent 666202 Jan 15 1901 Peter Lord & 761798 Jun 7 1904 Frederick E. Walden & 870014 Nov 5 1907 & 1371350 Mar 15 1921 & 1489696 Apr 8 1924 Solomon C. Campbell / http://alloy-artifacts.org/bay-state-tool.html / http://alloy-artifacts.org/bay-state-tool.html#history / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/c-1920s-allen-bay-state-set-no-19.426398/ https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/bay-state-autokit-socket-set.341786/ /

four.cycle · Jun 16, 2024

Bay State Tool Co., Boston, MA

Patrick Eubanks · Jun 21, 2024

Ok I have one for you guys to chew on. I picked this box up at an estate sale this weekend. It completely had me stumped so I started digging. The box was obviously pre 1920 and looked somewhat Walden (ish)
I looked for a separate Bay state in Worcester Mass. As it turns out the only Bay state mfg. ever in Worcester was the same bay state tool co. From Boston. I dug like crazy to see if the ever produced pipe threading equipment or such. No they didn’t.
After a little more digging I discovered that their primary designer early on was none other than Mr. Walden himself. When the were bought in 1906 their manufacturing was moved to Worcester with their headquarters still in Boston. After closer examination it appears as if this was an early catch all tool box. Part of the remaining label has rule and the word Stone which would line up with the tools they were producing at the time.
Anyway I’m almost convinced I’m right. Check out the size of this box. Anyone else ever seen anything like it?

Private Lugnutz · Jun 21, 2024

Great find! Cool box. I've never seen it before, but regardless of its original use, it would be cool to keep Bay State related orphans and strays in it. Or just empty, for display. As a business entity, they had a dizzying array of names and addresses, and Worcester was one of them.

Patrick Eubanks · Jun 21, 2024

Private Lugnutz said:
Great find! Cool box. I've never seen it before, but regardless of its original use, it would be cool to keep Bay State related orphans and strays in it. Or just empty, for display. As a business entity, they had a dizzying array of names and addresses, and Worcester was one of them.

And of course now I want all the stray tools. Does it ever end

four.cycle · Dec 28, 2024

The Bay State Handy Tool Co., 147 Milk St., Boston, MA

1906 Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal pp 184

Oldtuleguy · Dec 28, 2024

I think I saw one had a pipe threader in it.

Oldtuleguy · Feb 11, 2025

Here's a no. 20 set

four.cycle · Feb 11, 2025

^ excellent for less than a $20 !

twertsy · Feb 12, 2025

Found this thread so of course I'm doing a little digging. Here's a funny news story from 1857..........

twertsy · Feb 12, 2025

March 23, 1906

Private Lugnutz · Feb 12, 2025

Oldtuleguy said:
Here's a no. 20 set

Love the speeder! Guess how many pieces are in your set without counting. Guess how many pieces are in the No. 19 set, which doesn't have the speeder, without counting. That was a lot of design work to put the same set - now with a speeder - in a new box!

twertsy said:
Here's a funny news story from 1857..........

Snerk. Like a horse in a China shop. I looked up John Gilpin, a reference I didn't understand. I thought it was going to be a famous racehorse. It's the name of a draper in England who was taken for a similar wild ride in a famous comic ballad from 1784.

John Gilpin - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sbusmech · Feb 12, 2025

Private Lugnutz said:
The “Allen” in this Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19…

…is Allen Manufacturing in Hartford, Conn., the company most famous for its eponymous hex keys or “Allen wrenches” used in conjunction with set or safety screws, patented (960,244) by W.G. Allen in 1910.

The "Bay State" in the name is the same as the Bay State Tool Company that supplied Sears, Roebuck & Company its first-ever socket set, the Autokit No. 1, famous for their giant CatCar decal. But it's a few ownership changes (Bay State -> Tudor Mfgr -> Bay State Pump Company) later.

I don’t own a Bay State Autokit No. 1, but Coolford does, and he posted it on GJ here.

I do own a partial Bay State Autokit No. 35 set which I found in an old Phillies cigar tin for a box.

Note that the “B. St.” on the handle of the ratchet is for Bay State, and that they changed their name to the Bay State Pump Company in 1916.

I don’t know if Allen’s use of the “Bay State” name was an attempt to allude to that type of socket set for marketing purposes, but it is certainly a possible and perhaps probable explanation. I don’t know how they got away with it, frankly. Imagine if Blackhawk had decided to call their late 1930’s through late 1940’s socket-to-handle connection technology “Snap-On” instead of “Lock-On”!

Here is a 1922 ad.

And that is only the second most interesting thing about this set.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Great find! I'm jelly.

four.cycle · Sep 20, 2025

Allen 603 11 pc allen wrench set 091725 01.jpg

Allen Mfg. Co., Hartford, Connecticut model 603 11-piece Hex Wrench Set

The 603 set appears in a 1945 "Radio Craft" magazine advertisement and in the 1945 Allen catalog

four.cycle · Sep 20, 2025

Allen 19 pc 3.8 dr SAE socket set 041624 A 01.jpg

Allen 19 pc 3/8" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set

c. 1920's Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19

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