Bridgeport-Stiletto Relationship?

[thefraze_1020]

In the latest round of tools I bought out of the bin at the Habitat Store, I found a stubby Phillips screwdriver that I thought was going to be easy. It is clearly marked Bridgeport on the blade. However...upon closer examination, I found the Stiletto logo stamped on the handle, very VERY lightly. I could barely make it out. Complicating things further, also on the handle is marked "No. 322- 1-1/4". This matches the entry in the 1963 Bridgeport catalog, under the "Rhino" line of screwdrivers. With these conflicting markings, I have to ask the thread title, was there a relationship between Bridgeport and Stiletto?

That last photo wasn't very helpful. The full markings on the shank are:

Phillips
Lic. 7 Pat
2507231
Bridgeport
U.S.A. -Alloy
No. 2 point

 

[d42jeep]

Stiletto screwdrivers were definitely sourced from Bridgeport.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Stiletto didn’t make anything, just like Craftsman, Keen Kutter, or Montgomery Wards. They were sold by Baker Hamilton (Pacific), just a large hardware distributor here in the Bay Area. I’m still trying to track down who made some of there other tools, like WW chisels, as they are very fine quality. Later in life, in the 60s, they started to carry a value line, but I don’t think they put Stiletto on that stuff.

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[Mintgrun]

I found the screwdriver in the middle today and assumed it was another Bridgeport Matchless, like the one on the left, but it wasn't until I got home and looked closely that I saw the <-Stilletto-> stamp. That made me happy. It's very similar to the little Stanley Hurwood too, which was also painted black when new. Cousins!

 

[bonneyman]

You've got a good eye, OP! I couldn't make out the Stiletto even when I knew what to look for. Dang!

 

[mritchie77]

Dang, based on those catalog images above I am sure I have thrown away some rusty Bridgeport screwdrivers before.

 

[d42jeep]

I’m dual posting this Stiletto marked Phillips screwdrivers I found yesterday. I posted on the “Stiletto Hammer” thread as well. That thread seems to show the most Stiletto marked tools.
-Don