Thanks! That 1949 illustration is a match. I tried keyword searches for “lunchbox” and “tombstone” without success on the longC
Did you try "Mailbox"? they look like that too.
Thanks! That 1949 illustration is a match. I tried keyword searches for “lunchbox” and “tombstone” without success on the longC
Got this cool little soldering gun for free.
Small haul (Lugz 2020_03) from the flea market this morning.
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The deep socket set and box is postwar SK, missing a few sockets, but it had the L-handle, so to speak. CAM-LOC wrench (T.K.F.) in a size I don't have. The antique-looking ratchet, an Allen (not that Allen, the other Allen) "Friction Wrench", patented (1,000,878) in 1911, is gearless. Plomb WF-38 ratchet. The hog ring pliers are postwar Bonny B33. The DOE loom wrench is a Crompton & Knowles. The 4" adjustable is a Crestoloy, chrome unfortunately.
Always, all mfgrs, in my experience. This one needs a repair.The sockets aren’t hard to find but the Ell is.
I haven't figured that out yet. I will post pics later. That threaded piece looks like a wood screw to me, not a machine screw or bolt, but everything else looks like a steel/machine application to me. There are two round bosses, one on each side at the top of that "eye" piece, one small, one larger. It has a forged-in marking: DORMAN PRODS, CIN. O. Which is the only reason I grabbed it. Everything except the loom wrench was in the same old top box.What is the eyebolt-like thing to the right of the Friction Wrench?

Here it is, Jock. All I have are half-*** guesses.
Wow - DATAMP has really dropped the ball on Dorman: no patents as assignee or manufacturer, but they DO and did hold patents...
Picked up these two Jensen Tool pallets for 20 bucks. A lot of the tools appear to be used very little. Pretty sweet deal seeing that almost of the tools are USA made.
Fair enough. Not a comprehensive site for all things patentsy. Good point.DATAMP focuses on tools and machinery only. Occasionally they find tool shaped stuff, and will include that, just to save others from going crazy. "Directory of American Tool And Machinery Patents"
Small haul (Lugz 2020_03) from the flea market this morning.
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The deep socket set and box is postwar SK, missing a few sockets, but it had the L-handle, so to speak. CAM-LOC wrench (T.K.F.) in a size I don't have. The antique-looking ratchet, an Allen (not that Allen, the other Allen) "Friction Wrench", patented (1,000,878) in 1911, is gearless. Plomb WF-38 ratchet. The hog ring pliers are postwar Bonny B33. The DOE loom wrench is a Crompton & Knowles. The 4" adjustable is a Crestoloy, chrome unfortunately.
The Friction Wrench was patented in 1911, but there is a forge stamp ("17") on the handle under the head that I am interpreting as 1917 production. In 1918, Allen patented the successor to this ratchet wrench, a gimbaled gear ratchet he called the Universal Wrench, which replaced the Friction Wrench ratchet in Allen socket sets. I posted more photos in my Allen Universal Wrench Set No. 51 thread, linked here.That Allen ratchet must be pretty early.









I did score what believe is a nice Indestro Socket Set.
I have a similar set in a similar pouch that I consider to be from the 1930's or 40's.Old Radar said:I like the interesting little kit of Socket Keys for Spline Screws from The Bristol Tool Company even thought I don’t have any spline screws to turn—$1. They are still in business and still turning out these type of kits—only in plastic containers. If anyone has any idea how old these might be, I like to hear about it.
Thanks, Jock.That Dorman "eyebolt" could be a tool for removing freeze plugs of the cup type. Poke a hole in the bottom of the cup, screw the tool into it, and use the eye and a bar to lever it out.
I have nothing to base this guess on, except if I had one of those sitting there when I needed to remove a freeze plug, I'd try it!
Edit: a good question I don't have the answer to is when they introduced the all-steel versions with the knurled scales and the large "US". My entire collection of military electrician's knives consists of WWII wood scale (both QMC/Ordnance 41-K-370 GMTK and Signal Corps TL-29) and the later all-steel jobbies. I sort of skip the composite era in between. My earliest of the all-steel type is a Camillus '62 (they're all dated on the main blade tang).

That's not my era, but sweet jeebus, those tools look NOS!!![]()
Seems early, Steve. I'll have to check that against Silvey and Trzaska books.
I’m surprised that Lugz didn’t mention it, but the pocket knife is a more modern version of a Signal Corps TL 29 lineman’s knife. The secondary blade is a screwdriver. He was probably distracted by the cool Indestro and Bristol sets. The first knife belongs to Username and the other ones are mine. The knives with the black handles are much more common.
-Don
I saw it. I was distracted enough to not catch his question on the blade, though. HAHA. Not sure why you think it's a TL-29. It's an electricians' knife, for sure. May not be military. Most I see aren't. Especially those with the dark composite scales.
Thanks gentlemen! Can you tell me what the two indented areas on the secondary blade are designed for? My guess for the one on the sharp side is probably for cutting or scoring cable, but I don't have a guess for the one on the top of the blade.