Bell system

[doc tuolumne]

have a pair of B/S pliers...blunt tip needle type, has a flat grip at tip with a step and tapered gap towards the rear, for stripping solid analog phone wire, also a B/S Ingot of soldering alloy, all gotten from my uncle, worked for them from post Korea to just pre electronics, late 70s....

 

[jeffmoss26]

the HKP tool is a wire crimper.
I have one of those hacksaws too

 

[davethorik]

I only have this one Bell System tool, a heavy duty Stanley 7/16 tip flathead screwdriver with conical bolster. Marked "BELL SYSTEM E"

 

[3baygarage]

I saw an old North Bros Bell screwdriver today. Sadly it had no blade left.

 

[d42jeep]

I checked the plier drawer in my toolbox at our summer home and found these Klein lineman’s pliers. I can’t decipher the date code but it’s something after 1950.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked this up today at the flea market because I suspected it was a Signal Corps lineman's tool pouch with provisions for hanging off a belt. It's heavy duck, as you can see, OD green in color, and has what I thought were three letters of what I suspected to be a partial mfgr's marking reading, "HEL", as in SHELTON, or something like that.

Much to my surprise, I was right about it being a lineman's pouch, but wrong about the application! It's not "HEL" but "BEL", as in BELL SYSTEM. After closer examination, I can see a faint "SY" as well. Pic 2 doesn't do it justice (I will try to re-take some photos at a different angle in different light).

 

[jeffmoss26]

looks like a Bell System parts bag to me!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oh, I am 100% sure it's Bell System, Jeff. What kind of parts? I didn't provide any size context, but it's about 10 inches deep and the diameter of the opening, which has a steel reinforcing ring sewn in it to help it keep its shape, is 6". There is a also a pocket inside. And those two straps you can see with clips for hanging it off a belt or anything else I suppose. Does that sound like a parts bag?

You can see how I may have mistook it for Signal Corps though, right? Canvas. OD green. Web straps. (C'mon, bail me out here... )

 

[d42jeep]

Something about this story seems very familiar to me. You shouldn’t feel alone! We are drawn to Olive Drab like moths to a flame.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hahaha. That's it!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Added this linemans' tool to the collection yesterday.

 

[jeffmoss26]

the bag would go on a tool belt to hold phone jacks, parts, trash...anything really. I have a couple of them in the collection.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Got a few items from the GJ summer tool exchange - they look brand new!

 

[PFSard]

Got a few items from the GJ summer tool exchange - they look brand new!

Nice drivers. Never heard of locksporting. Learn something new everyday.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I just found my Klein Bell System Mil Spec pliers / knife combo. The knife was pretty rusty, but has that aluminum waffle metal grip, but I'll see how they do after soaking in 0W20 for a week... The pliers, well, I suspect they will do just fine...

 

[Username already in use]

I stumbled across this Bell System brass padlock (with key) at the flea today. Someone cut off the shackle, but the lock still works fine.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Want to sell it?

 

[Username already in use]

Want to sell it?

I was wondering how long it would take for you to ask!
Shoot me a PM and we’ll work it out.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice find, Unaiu!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked up an antique cable puller today at the flea market. While this is not a "Bell System" tool, per se, in terms of markings, Western Electric was a division of Bell and operated as its equipment supplier. The marking is worn. I've included a naked close-up and a chalked close-up, but you really need a magnifying glass to read it. It's marked BUFFALO GRIP NO. 1, in a circle, and FROM / WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. / NEW YORK CHICAGO / PAT'D APR. 25, 1893 / CANADA 1898.

All of the examples I have seen on-line of this tool are newer, with the same model number (No. 1) or an even newer "No. 2", all a Nov. 29, 1910 US patent date, and a Canada 1911 patent date.

I'm stumped on the patent number itself. I can't find it anywhere on-line (DATAMP, Justia, Google Patents, etc) using the date. That is a valid patent date, but I haven't located the actual patent yet.

EDIT: Also, does anyone know anything about the "X"? What does it signify? (It almost looks like the crossed cannons of the Ordnance Dept.)

 

[3baygarage]

Here’s one based off a standard Williams ratchet, but they modified it for Bell.
Stamped SPECIAL.

# KS-8237 insulator wrench

According to the document, it’s supposed to have what appears to be a 5/16” female hex drive with 2 male hex drive sockets of different lengths.

The hole in the handle is original. Tether maybe?


Jeff, can you or anyone else point out the style of insulator or how they were mounted with hardware?

 

[3baygarage]

doc. off the web:

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

thought this was a thread, subscribed! Added to my collection yesterday, pics later.

 

[jeffmoss26]

here is one that I don't think I shared:

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Very cool, Jeff!

 

[Ing3018]

I saw this thread and remembered that I have Yankee push drill marked Bell System. Kids loved using this drill for projects.

Paul

View media item 86718

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

I have that same one Paul, but not nearly in as nice of shape!

My oldest used a yankee the other day, he was amazed when I told him it was Oder than his grandpa!


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[Private Lugnutz]

I was lucky enough to pick up this vintage Bell System tie clasp at the triple early bird flea market this morning. I'm pretty stoked about it, frankly. Gonna wear it the next chance I get. Everybody always tells me how horribly out of fashion my neckties are. This will really cement my reputation! HAHA!

EDIT: Added a photo not reflecting sun to show more detail.

 

[LesserSon]

Oh, ho! That is a nifty find, Lugz - two tie bars in one day.

I guess I should post a photo of something...
The little pliers are Utica-made. The screwdriver I found with the leather washers mostly gone and the dowel broken, so I trimmed the end off and put some stain on the handle. It was an early project, and I would work harder to restore it if I did it today.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Lugz, that is sweet!!

 

[jeffmoss26]

50 cents from the ReStore today!

 

[Stuart in MN]

I was lucky enough to pick up this vintage Bell System tie clasp at the triple early bird flea market this morning. I'm pretty stoked about it, frankly. Gonna wear it the next chance I get.

Someone should start a thread about mechanically themed tie clips... I have a few interesting ones including a forklift, a jet engine, a pair of pliers, a meat cleaver, and a little mechanical pencil that actually works with lead in it.

 

[Catfishdan]

Found a bell systems screw driver today. It's in bad shape, but it's marked Stanley and bell systems so I ponied up the quarter just to post it here.




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[LesserSon]

Found a bell systems screw driver today. It's in bad shape, but it's marked Stanley and bell systems so I ponied up the quarter just to post it here.

Geez, Dan, that doesn’t look too bad to me - is that just white paint? I plucked these Utica-made S-259-8 pliers Saturday. I don’t think Utica typically date-stamped pliers, but the “4-55” inside the grips looks a lot like Apr1955, unless it could be a Bell System part number.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Pretty cool, LS. I'm with your hunch. Sure looks like a date stamp to me. And, '55 fits the production features.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked up this BELL SYSTEM Millers Falls No. 1100 adjustable hacksaw frame at the flea market this morning. I like the pressed steel pistol grip. Slides in and out and that little thumbnut locks it in place.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have one of those

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have one of those

 

[Stuart in MN]

I happened across this auction for a Bell System pressure gauge and thought of you guys. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Be...q-In-U-S-Gauge-22150-3-with-case/132834085521 No idea what it was used for, though.

 

[twinrider1]

Hi, found these among some tools I recently adopted. The box is approximately 13x10x6. The previous owner must've been a comm tech or worked in a central office.

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