1910's Black & Decker #1 Screw Driver

[TripBel]

This was in my family for a very long time. It's time to sell it. Here's what I know: the data plate says it was patented in 1917 and the serial number is C824. Also noted is the logo with "Special Machinery". A ten foot cord is attached that appears to be original. It works and is in good condition. I've attached a picture of the screw driver and data plate.

Does anyone know further details? Is it considered a desirable collectible for tool enthusiasts?

Thanks for any information.

 

[paulsomlo]

A nice old relic, but you're looking for the one person out of a million that collects old power tools - it's just not a prevalent niche. In short, keep your day job.

 

[RTM]

Might find more info here.

https://archive.org/details/BlackAndDeckerCatalogNo61923/page/n20/mode/1up

If not in that catalog, more here

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Interesting. Definitely not a Chinese knock-off.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Is it considered a desirable collectible for tool enthusiasts?

There are a number of avid antique and vintage power tool collectors here on GJ. It's a small group, and probably represents the proportion out there in the rest of the world relative to antique and vintage hand tools, but it's not as infinitesimal as some might think.

Couple threads to explore.

Show Off Your Antique Electric Hand Drill

Old electric hand drills from the '20's & '30's have always captured my attention. It was the golden age & beginning of portable electric hand drill manufacturing. The good old days of only one direction, motor brushes & brass badges. Black & Decker was the first to do it in 1917. I'm always...

www.garagejournal.com

Vintage Corded Power Tools

I have several corded power tools that I inherited from my dad. My grown sons have all gone cordless. I have gone cordless for the most part. I am trying to decide how to best liquidate the unneeded tools. Some pictures attached.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[TripBel]

A nice old relic, but you're looking for the one person out of a million that collects old power tools - it's just not a prevalent niche. In short, keep your day job.

Rest assured I'm keeping my day job with benefits!

 

[TripBel]

Might find more info here and below. I can't tread it well enough on the phone to verify I am at the #1

Black & Decker Portable Electric Tools and Shop Equipment : Catalog No. 6 : Black & Decker Manufacturing Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

38 p., illus., 27.6 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

If not in that catalog, more here

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

Thank you, I will check out both of the links you sent.

 

[TripBel]

There are a number of avid antique and vintage power tool collectors here on GJ. It's a small group, and probably represents the proportion out there in the rest of the world relative to antique and vintage hand tools, but it's not as infinitesimal as some might think.

Couple threads to explore.

Show Off Your Antique Electric Hand Drill

Old electric hand drills from the '20's & '30's have always captured my attention. It was the golden age & beginning of portable electric hand drill manufacturing. The good old days of only one direction, motor brushes & brass badges. Black & Decker was the first to do it in 1917. I'm always...

www.garagejournal.com

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...r-antique-electric-hand-drill.523235/[/QUOTE]

Vintage Corded Power Tools

I have several corded power tools that I inherited from my dad. My grown sons have all gone cordless. I have gone cordless for the most part. I am trying to decide how to best liquidate the unneeded tools. Some pictures attached.

www.garagejournal.com

Thanks for the links. I'm going battery-operated like one of the comments and cleaning up items that have been in my shop.

 

[Shiftless]

It’s interesting that BD called that a screw driver when it clearly has a chuck on the business end to attach drill bits. They didn’t call it a drill like most people refer to that tool today. Clearly the wrong tool for driving screws. 350 rpm with no variable speed.️ Some guys might call that tool a drill motor.

Some ********* historians here on GJ might link the shape of a modern drill bit to an invention of good ol‘ Archimedes. That’s my only link between the word “screw“ and the word “drill”.

 

[RTM]

It’s interesting that BD called that a screw driver when it clearly has a chuck on the business end to attach drill bits.

If you look at the catalog cut, the chuck is not on there, and the tool is much shorter, Grandpa probably added the chuck to make it drill. The literature also mentions a clutch, and driving 2.5 and 4” wood screws.

 

[Shiftless]

If you look at the catalog cut, the chuck is not on there, and the tool is much shorter, Grandpa probably added the chuck to make it drill. The literature also mentions a clutch, and driving 2.5 and 4” wood screws.

Thanks
I should have clicked on that catalog page before I responded.
(Haven’t finished my morning coffee yet… sorry!)