Caterpillar serviceman's tool kit

[the dude]

I thought this was kind of neat. My grandfather gave me this over 25 years ago when I was a kid. I am sure it was old then... It got thrown in the attic of my mom and dad's and was forgotten about until last weekend. There was nothing in it put the key for the lock.

The plate claims it was made by Blackhawk, which I don't know a lot about. I think they made quality tools at one time. It weighs a ton but I think I am going to use it on top of my older roll around.

What do you think?? Any clue as to how old it is or what was in it originally?

 

[eschoendorff]

I don't know anything about that, but it's really cool! Definitely want to keep taht around!

 

[-lecroix-]

Just a thought on finding out the age ... if it has a patent number on one of the decals, you may be able to do some online searching and get a general idea of mfg. date.

 

[Jbullfrog]

Here is a link to the Antique Cat Machinery Owners Club.

http://www.acmoc.org/

They have a discussion board, or you might find one of the guys that can help you ID your box.

 

[Larz]

Definetly a keeper!! Looks to be in good shape for its age!!!

 

[wilbilt]

Very Nice!

 

[Deafautotech]

i was seen few of caterpiller tools that made by snap on but snap on did label them as caterpiller name on tools....

 

[justinmc]

Nice! Very cool old box!! In great shape from the looks of it too! Judging by the looks of the logo/style/etc (and I'm no expert) I'd say its sometime in the 40's. Probably late 40's since early 40's stuff was all pretty well war effort material.

 

[kylefitz]

Wow we have the same top box only yours looks to be in a lot better shape. I got mine at an auction for $15. Kind of neat what you find.

 

[JohnHenrys48]

Wow, your post made me do a little searching and I found this:

01/01/1919 Blackhawk Founded X Blackhawk Mfg. Co. founded in Milwaukee, WI [division of American Grinder]

From this link...lots of great information...don't know if it's been posted here before:

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/tool-timeline.html

 

[the dude]

Wow we have the same top box only yours looks to be in a lot better shape. I got mine at an auction for $15. Kind of neat what you find.

Very cool. Thanks for all the responses on the box. It its in great shape and has the removable tray on top. It is going to get all my Toyota/Land Cruiser specific tools put in it.

I signed up for that vintage CAT forum, I will let you know if they have any info on the box.

 

[mulepackin]

That is a great looking vintage box. The fact that it was your grandfathers is all the more fantastic to my mind.

 

[-lecroix-]

I would LOVE to have one of my Grandfather's old boxes ... or a few of his old hand tools. But no, I got a low life cousin that swooped in not long after he passed away and cleaned out the workshop.

Gotta love family, huh?

 

[the intimidator]

ehh at least you did'nt have to sell off all you're grandfathers tool's when my great grandfather passed most of his stuff sat in storage with most of the better tools picked aways by certain folks. My great grandmother finally needed the mony so she had a big yard sale I managed to scoop a few items (well a few more then a few) up from her most importent to me anyways is a older beach tool box it has a fold up front 3 drawers. He has painted it blue and put a few stp stickers on along side with his name LENNY'S ACTION CENTER on one of those lettering machines stuck on the front of it I'll get a pick up later. I found a nearly matching bottum box for it on the side of the road a few months back but it is more of a storage cabinet not a tool cab non the less it still looks cool

the dude,

I would also be interested in the tools that were in it? If you find anything out let us know looks like a nice sturdy box Hope you keep it around to be passed on to you're grandkids or kid's

 

[mulepackin]

the dude,

I would also be interested in the tools that were in it? If you find anything out let us know looks like a nice sturdy box Hope you keep it around to be passed on to you're grandkids or kid's [/QUOTE]

I think he posted that there was nothing in it but the key to the locks. But it would be interesting to know what originally made up a Cat servicemans tool kit.

 

[wilbilt]

I would LOVE to have one of my Grandfather's old boxes ... or a few of his old hand tools. But no, I got a low life cousin that swooped in not long after he passed away and cleaned out the workshop.

Gotta love family, huh?

Ain't that the truth...

I did manage to save most of the hand tools that were my grandfather's and my wife's grandfather's. The relatives went after the high-dollar machinery and only left the ugly old tools in the ugly old boxes...

 

[the dude]

The gentleman over on the ACMOC BB had some great info for me. Not quite the same box but very close. Late forties early fifties:

stolen from there:

 

[the dude]

and they found me the exact box. With their info they place it at a late forties model. Check out the price in this catalog. $70 FOB. That would have been huge dollars in the forties!!

 

[wilbilt]

Great finds. It is always nice to have the documentation to go with something like that.

Now you need to go in search of the tools that go in it!