Can anyone identify this socket set

[Ayrhead]

Hi Everyone: I came across this set recently. I’m trying to identify it. It’s probably after Frank Mossberg but it appears to have an adapter to allow for this set to mate up to the Mossberg sockets. It has vertical lines on the base of the sockets and says Made in the U.S.A. I don’t see any other identifying marks.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks like new britain none better maybe

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I agree.

Are those male drain plug sockets in the middle with the two drive plugs and the valve lapper?

 

[four.cycle]

The New Britain Machine Company [Page 1]

Page 1 of an article on the New Britain Machine Company.

alloy-artifacts.org

I do not believe there were very many manufacturers who produced a 1/2" x 1/2" drive adapter stamped "Made in U.S.A."

Looks like the drain plug sockets were a later add-on.

 

[Ayrhead]

The New Britain Machine Company [Page 1]

Page 1 of an article on the New Britain Machine Company.

alloy-artifacts.org

I do not believe there were very many manufacturers who produced a 1/2" x 1/2" drive adapter stamped "Made in U.S.A."

Looks like the drain plug sockets were a later add-on.

Thanks for such a quick identification. It’s a pretty nice set. I managed to find it this past weekend. I was lucky enough to purchase from the 91 year old owner who was a mechanic in his day.

 

[four.cycle]

^ It's a nice set in pretty good condition, and appears to have most of the pieces. If it were me, I'd write down everything that old guy told you and put it in the box - provenance is sometimes worth more than the object itself.

 

[Ayrhead]

Hi All: I’m wondering if this set is actually New Britain or None Better tools as the sockets on those have 2 outer horizontal lines with cross hatching in between where these sockets all have vertical lines on them with the made in USA stamping. I’ve looked in many new Britain and none better catalogues and the all showed the horizontal lines with the cross hatching in between none with the vertical lines like mine. Any ideas as to what other manufacturer they might be?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The ones you have are economy line

 

[Ayrhead]

Thanks for the prompt response. That’s interesting guess I’ll have a look to see if I can find it in the catalogues again .

 

[Ayrhead]

I just had another look and found it in the link that four.cycle posted. When I looked at that link earlier I scrolled down and when I scrolled up…. There it was. Tool kit 536W 1938 year. Thanks again everyone

 

[humber2]

Perhaps Durable made by Duro for Canadian market. Look into the Sk knurling thread.

 

[four.cycle]

Notwithstanding the knurling pattern on the sockets, I would go with NB on that set based on the ratchet, which is pretty much a slam-dunk.
I just looked at all of my NB stuff - I just had it all out half an hour ago - and it's all got a cross-hatch knurling pattern on the sockets, but.... it's all really early stuff (all pre-war.)

Only think you can do is match is to a known specimen - and provenance on vintage socket sets isn't in great abundance.

 

[Ayrhead]

Here’s the attached pictures I’m basing it on from the link from four.cycle… it shows a picture of the socket with the vertical lines and then it says it’s from the set 536w. I’ve looked in the NB 1938 catalogue and it could also be from the 540 set. I agree with old tule guy that it was their economy line/brand. Thanks to everyone’s input. I think it’s in pretty good shape for being 85 years old…

 

[four.cycle]

^ There's your "known specimen" - None Better. The only "None Better" I have is some 1/4" hex drive stuff - completely different animal than what you have there.

 

[d42jeep]

Mine was IDed by bill300d in 2/2017 as New Britain’s None Better.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

^ There's your "known specimen" - None Better. The only "None Better" I have is some 1/4" hex drive stuff - completely different animal than what you have there.

More 1/4” drive None Better.
-Don