4 in 1?

[Macduf]

best I could figure is maybe a 3 in 1.

 

[txvwnut]

You can use the hex socket as a nut driver, that gives you the fourth option.

 

[sick467]

It probably came with a second bit with the next size Phillips and flat tips. THEN it could be a 5-in-1 if you needed a 1/4" nut driver.

 

[toolmiser]

Not to be a smart aleck do you know you can reverse the center portion and the whole item becomes pocket sized.

 

[4xdog]

The ones I bought in the early 1980s have a longer shaft -- equal length in both directions -- and bits with two sizes of Phillips on one and two sizes of slotted on the other.

So four screwdriver options. Five if one considers it as a hex driver, as noted by sick467.

 

[bonneyman]

Not to be a smart aleck do you know you can reverse the center portion and the whole item becomes pocket sized.

I've never seen a center shaft like that one. But I'm throwing my vote behind toolmiser's idea. You flip it around so the round end protrudes and then your pocket doesn't get shredded by the bit tip.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Might not be original bit holder

 

[PLANofMAN]

Doing some googling, they did make at least one screwdriver with a fixed shank, making it a two-in-one (or 3 in one if you count the hex shank), but the handle still had the 4 in One company name on it.

I think it's probably a two in one with a pocket protective end. I've never seen one like that before, but it's sure neat looking.

 

[Macduf]

It still seems a stretch to call it a 4 in one, I count two bit options and a hex driver.

 

[RTM]

Probably the wrong shank, for the 4 in one. Further down the article he mentions the picket safe version. Doesn’t count the hex bits in either case.

https://www.post-journal.com/life/features/2013/12/four-in-one-screwdrivers/

Possibly the patent

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/f4/64/00/5e17eee2279740/US3114401.pdf

Maybe here too

http://datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=3114401&typeCode=0

 

[PLANofMAN]

Patent link not working?

 

[4xdog]

Here's a 4-in-one screwdriver from my gear -- bought new circa 1982.

 

[RTM]

Patent link not working?

Fixed I hope