Billings Vitalloy

[alton1911]

I am not sure what exactly I like about this type of font, but the more I see it the more I like it. At first its’ plain script makes it look functional for responsible adults, then you notice these letters are slanted and shrink then get larger finally
ending up as large as the first letters... which says, “ I’m formal, but I’m here to party”. All kidding aside, it looks really well made, it looks very similar to the Proto socket and used similar part numbers with the Challenger socket

 

[alton1911]

Here is the Proto socket left, Billings Vitalloy center, Challenger right.



They are all 5/8 12 pt.
Thanks
alton1911h

 

[jumbojak]

I have a Billings Vitalloy wrench floating around somewhere. Can't remember off the top of my head if the script was the same as those sockets. It's a good wrench though. I bought it on a lark as I grab the really old Billings and Spencer wrenches I come across. The Vitalloy got used for pulling wire wheels off the angle grinder.

 

[Cf mtn]

scrounging in a box of stuff (sockets), and this popped up. first impression was a novelty asian piece. billings 5816, found on AA but their example doesn't look like this. kinda stylish if you ask me.

 

[Username already in use]

scrounging in a box of stuff (sockets), and this popped up. first impression was a novelty asian piece. billings 5816, found on AA but their example doesn't look like this. kinda stylish if you ask me.

I'm not sure that Billings ever made any of their own socket/drive tools. The 1/2" drive socket that you posted has all the hallmarks of a Duro Chrome made socket.

Here's a 1/2" and 7/16" wartime Duro sockets for comparison.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

They totally look like Duro in the 1933 catalog. Billings & Spencer was a funny company. Giants, along with only Williams and Armstrong in drop forgings (lathe dogs, holders, tooling, weldless eyebolts, etc), and drop forging equipment (to other tool makers), and certain kinds of early wrenches, but it's weird how they contracted out other tools, especially drive tools.

Going back upthread (I didn't read this thread originally...), that Vitalloy logo you like is from the 50's, Alton.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have most of an Indestro Super set with that same 2 tone finish.