Aaron Montgomery Ward

[kyrbz]

More pages from the Spring/Summer 1967 catalog, and thanks to those who've posted comments about my Riverside motorcycle!

 

[Stuart in MN]

For whatever reason my parents shopped at Montgomery Wards a lot more than Sears, so we had a lot of M-W tools around the house as well as other items (most of my clothes as a kid came from there.) I have a 1972 Wards catalog on the shelf here above my desk, it is fun to look through.

As for the motorcycles, here's a Riverside/Benelli 360 Mojave I re-did some years ago.

 

[Zrexxer]

My Grandfather was a big MW fan, and I still have some of his Powr-Kraft tools around somewhere. We had Sears too, but for some reason he was loyal to Montgomery Wards. This was late 60's to mid 70's, before they'd made their slide into bankruptcy.

I remember seeing the Riverside motorcycles in the annual catalogs, and not knowing much more about bikes than any other 12 yr old, I wanted one more than anything in the world.

 

[WNYflyer]

Not tools, but I'll jump on the opportunity to post some pictures of my Montgomery Wards Riverside motorcycle that I restored a few years ago. It's actually an Italian made Benelli that Wards imported and sold in the 60's as a Wards Riverside.

And here's some catalog pages and brochure cover -

More Wards Riverside motorcycle stuff and pictures of my restoration here -

http://bzisettas.blogspot.com/2013/09/1967-wards-riverside-125-benelli-cobra.html

BZ

For whatever reason my parents shopped at Montgomery Wards a lot more than Sears, so we had a lot of M-W tools around the house as well as other items (most of my clothes as a kid came from there.) I have a 1972 Wards catalog on the shelf here above my desk, it is fun to look through.

As for the motorcycles, here's a Riverside/Benelli 360 Mojave I re-did some years ago.

Man those bikes are nice. Excellent job guys

 

[fatboy99]

Mr Pete has a Montgomery Wards Metal Lathe that was made by Logan.

 

[kyrbz]

For whatever reason my parents shopped at Montgomery Wards a lot more than Sears, so we had a lot of M-W tools around the house as well as other items (most of my clothes as a kid came from there.) I have a 1972 Wards catalog on the shelf here above my desk, it is fun to look through.

As for the motorcycles, here's a Riverside/Benelli 360 Mojave I re-did some years ago.

Nice Mojave I also would agree about the catalogs. When I was doing my Riverside restoration, I picked up several 60's catalogs for the motorcycle pages, but the rest of the catalogs are a lot of fun to look at.

 

[kyrbz]

 

[Coach James]

I have a MW battery charger that I still use. My dad gave it to me a few years ago. I will take a pic and try to figure out how to post it.

Coach

 

[3baygarage]

kyrbz, I'm glad you're posting from those catalogs. I ran into a whole stack of them a couple months ago at a sale and as you probably know the MW catalogs are huge. Between the space they'd take up (I honestly thought what if I buy them and remove just the tool sections), how dusty they were and the price I just couldn't do it but I wish I could have.

Beautiful bikes too guys.

 

[thor]

Resurrecting and old post to say thanks to Kyrbz for posting the catalog pages. The power tool sections are available all over the net, but I hadn't been able to find any of the Powr-kraft hand tool portion.

A meager few of mine:

17 piece 1/2" drive (wright) the drive tools are date coded 56, however alloy artifacts says the soft handles came later?

 

[thor]

Here are some pliers, made by Diamond Calk Tool and Horseshoe co.

 

[thor]

An odd ball 3/8 set I just bought & don't know the history of. The ratchet, 3" extension and most sockets are Wrights, the 5" extension and some sockets are not, or at least do not appear to be, the print is lighter and less italicized, but they do not have the knurling of an indestro? I doubt the box is original. No date codes on any of these.

I have never seen a switching lever like this on the ratchet either, almost looks like a thumb wheel but is not.

 

[thor]

Neat little 3 1/2" Quick release, US made vice, Not particularly well made. I have no idea who manufactured this or when?

 

[Stuart in MN]

17 piece 1/2" drive (wright) the drive tools are date coded 56, however alloy artifacts says the soft handles came later?

My 1972 Wards catalog shows a 17 piece 1/2" drive set (for $29.99) that looks essentially like yours, but the speeder and ratchet have hard handles. I noticed the scans from the 1967 catalog posted above do show soft handles on that set.

 

[thor]

Thanks Stuart, While the part numbers are MW specific, the date code on drive tools appears to be the same as wright used? wright introduced soft handles in 58 catalog according to AA, and these are a 56, so maybe I am way off in assuming they are a date code at all?

 

[ecotec]

From Spring/Summer 1967 Catalog

Do you have more MW catalogues? Possibly with the 12 drawer big chest instead of 10?

 

[BMack37]

I have a fair bit of Powr-Kraft tools I inherited from my Dad. I imagine they're from the late 70s through the 80s. I do remember when I was young, going with my Dad to MW in the 90s so some may be from then. I think our MW shut down while I was in 7th or 8th grade and I guess they all closed shortly thereafter. I can post some pics if anyone is interested, though I see this thread hasn't really caught any traction.

 

[Cato]

Montgomery Ward lives!

http://www.wards.com/

 

[ecotec]

Has anyone on GJ ever seen the "add on" intermediate Powr-Kraft 2 drawer section?

 

[Outlawmws]

Montgomery Ward lives!

http://www.wards.com/

Not really:

After its demise, the familiarity of its brand meant its name, corporate logo, and advertising were still considered valuable intangible assets. In 2004, catalog marketer Direct Marketing Services Inc. (DMSI), an Iowa-based direct marketing company, purchased much of the intellectual property assets of the former Wards, including the "Montgomery Ward" and "Wards" trademarks, for an undisclosed amount of money.

The DMSI version of Montgomery Ward was not the same company as the original. The company did not honor obligations of the previous company, such as gift-cards and items sold with a lifetime guarantee. David Milgrom, then president of the firm, said in an interview with the Associated Press: "We're rebuilding the brand, and we want to do it right."


In July 2008, DMSI announced it was on the auction block, with sale scheduled for the following month. Catalog retailer Swiss Colony purchased DMSI August 5, 2008. Swiss Colony – which changed its name to Colony Brands Inc. on June 1, 2010 – announced it would keep the Montgomery Ward catalog division open. The Website launched September 10, 2008, with new catalogs mailing in February 2009. A month before the catalogs' launch, Swiss Colony President John Baumann told United Press International the retailer might also resurrect Montgomery Ward's Signature and Powr-Kraft store brands.

 

[Outlawmws]

I have a fair bit of Powr-Kraft tools I inherited from my Dad. I imagine they're from the late 70s through the 80s. I do remember when I was young, going with my Dad to MW in the 90s so some may be from then. I think our MW shut down while I was in 7th or 8th grade and I guess they all closed shortly thereafter. I can post some pics if anyone is interested, though I see this thread hasn't really caught any traction.

 

[Greg85mcss]

So many threads around here about American tool companies going overseas or being ridiculously expensive. If you look adjust these prices for inflation the truck brands don't seem that bad. Companies like wright, proto, sk... are a downright bargain.


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[the generall]

Thanks for all of the interesting information on Wards tools and Aaron Montgomery Ward.

 

[Username already in use]

The DOE posted back on page 1 'Wards Master Quality' is a BHM (Bridgeport Hardware & Manufacturing) made wrench. The Molybdenum alloy was used before alloy restrictions during the war so probably '40 - '41.

I've been slowing acquiring some POWR-KRAFT tools since I picked up this vintage stack this summer. I'll post some pics of the tools when I can.

 

[L5wolvesf]

-Like Sears MW did not produce their own tools.
-They used names like Master Quality, Wards Master Quality, Powr-Kraft, Lakeside and Eclipse for their tool brands.
-Just a few names so far of companies that produced their tools include but not limited to: Stanley, Sargent, Millers- Falls, Barcalo-Buffalo, Wright, Indestro ??? and Utica.

Interesting post. Similarly to the tools Wards and Sears both sold motorcycles along with JC Penney IIRC, with the store names on them, but did not manufacture them. Many were made in Italy by various makers. I have 6 Ward's motorcycles (all projects of varying types). The Wards bikes were made by Benelli in Italy. The Benelli brothers were well known Mc racers back in the day.

 

[Hootbro]

So many threads around here about American tool companies going overseas or being ridiculously expensive. If you look adjust these prices for inflation the truck brands don't seem that bad. Companies like wright, proto, sk... are a downright bargain.


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Yeah, people look at the old prices and not adjust for inflation. The reality is those tools were still a hefty price for most middle class back then and is why layaway and in-store monthly revolving credit was popular back then.

 

[Hawk]

Went to the only Monkey Ward store in the Buffalo, NY area that was in Lockport, NY. Did a walk thru the tool and lawn equipment area many years ago, early 80's? Was not impressed.

You went through a ghost store and just did not know it. By the late 60's it was hard to find a Montgomery Wards, (Monkey Wards).

 

[MShaw]

Here's what I have. From about 1968, roughly the same as the catalog. In front is a set of 3/4" drive from 1" to 1 5/8", an extension and a breaker bar. In back is a set of 1/2" drive deep sockets from 1/2" to 1 1/8". If needed I will post close ups.

 

[Empty Pockets]

This is a MW 84-2-6880 that I purchased in 1973 or 1974. I don't know who made it for MW, but it has served me well for years

 

[3baygarage]

^ Nice Powr Kraft set. Thorsen would be the mfr.

 

[SMKS]

This is a MW 84-2-6880 that I purchased in 1973 or 1974. I don't know who made it for MW, but it has served me well for years

As already noted, that's clearly a Thorsen-made ratchet in there.

 

[Roberts210]

Here's my Monkey Ward air compressor that I got off of CL for $75. It's a rebadged Melben--which later became Campbell Hausfeld.

I rebuilt the 220V motor when I got it.

Made in 1978. Still going strong. There is no air filter on it so it's pretty noisy. I cut some felt pads and put them over the intake valve holes. That helped a small amount.

 

[four.cycle]

This is a MW 84-2-6880 that I purchased in 1973 or 1974. I don't know who made it for MW, but it has served me well for years

As mentioned above - Thorsen. Compare the ratchet with Thorsen model 77JC.
There's a similar set listed on Ebay right now:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/POWR-KRAFT-...250001?hash=item43f7be4251:g:OBIAAOSwOyJX4w9l

note the little " = " marks on the sockets on each side of the size stamping. compare with images of Thorsen sockets on Ebay or in the "Thorsen" thread here.

MW also outsourced from Wright Tool Co.:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-POW...124603?hash=item1ebb39783b:g:5eAAAOSwzaJX8WnX

there's a " W " in the part number on the Wright manufactured pieces.

Indestro was also a contract supplier to MW for "Powr Kraft". No fewer than three manufacturers supplied MW within a 10-year span.

 

[Username already in use]

MW also outsourced from Wright Tool Co.:
there's a " W " in the part number on the Wright manufactured pieces.

Case in point. Here's my 3/8" drive Wright made Powr-Kraft ratchet.

 

[Falcon67]

"The eight-story Fort Worth facility at West 7th St and Carroll[18] was built in 1928 to replace the previous operation in a former Chevrolet assembly plant across the street. In its history, the warehouse survived a flood in 1949 that reached the second floor[19] and a direct hit from a tornado in 2000.[20] After the demise of the company, developers renovated the structure as a mixed-use condominium project and retail center known as Montgomery Plaza.[21]"

My dad worked in that store and was there during the flood. Building looks great these days. I don't think I have any now, but we had Mastercraft tools around the house. Have to look in the toolboxes.

" former Chevrolet assembly plant across the street"
Across the street used to be the Radio Shack assembly/shipping building, next door to the Tandy World Headquarters. [edit] Its all high-zoot urban mixed retail/condos and such down 7th street now.

 

[woody 73]

Falcon67 Great story thank you for posting.

 

[Blackwolfe]

I have a Powr-Kraft 5 inch vise similar to the one on the top right 1967 catalog page in post 41. Just picked it up and need to go through it and check it out closer. Got at least one extra layer of paint on it.

I remember drooling over that motorcycle ad when I was a kid.

We had a local MW downtown when I was a kid. Once in awhile I got to tag along with my older brother when he went there. Did a lot of ogling of the sporting goods in the basement. Especially the fishing poles and guns.

 

[Falcon67]

LOL, just googling around and here's another shot of the Ft. Worth building -

 

[Falcon67]

One more

 

[four.cycle]

Case in point. Here's my 3/8" drive Wright made Powr-Kraft ratchet.

I believe I might have already posted these in the "Powr Kraft" thread here, but here's another example of Wright-manufactured "Powr Kraft":



Anybody know for sure what (if any) the letter code might have been for Thorsen and Indestro manufactured "Powr Kraft"? Or are those a matter of identifying by design features?