Could someone identify this Armstrong tool?

[Just Curious]

Hello. Would anyone know what this tool is called and its purpose? The straight metal post measures about 15 inches. The business end (at the bottom) has three sides that are equally spaced. These say 3/4 ; 1/2 ; and 3/8 inches, respectively. Each of the three sides says: ARMSTRONG, No. 170, and Bridgeport, CT U.S.A. Thanks for your help.

 

[The Cobbler]

NPT die set , primarily for steel pipe used for Natural gas etc
the 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 pertains to the pipe size

 

[Just Curious]

Thanks very much for the speedy reply.

 

[four.cycle]

Completely different "Armstrong" than the one that was manufacturing wrenches.

Armstrong / Armstrong Mfg. Co., 385 Knowiton St., Bridgeport, CT / taps & dies, screw plates / http://toolarchives.com/node/30 /


1908 Domestic Engineering Armstrong Mfg. Co. ad pp X

1914 Hardware World Armstrong ad pp 127

Welcome to the site!

 

[Just Curious]

Wow, that's really interesting. I didn't know there was a second company of that name.

 

[four.cycle]

"Armstrong" is only one of many names used by more than one company.
This one is easy.
Where it gets challenging is when you start digging into "Champion" or "American" or "Lightning" or "Universal" or....

 

[Just Curious]

I'm surprised that the brand names weren't trademarked.

 

[four.cycle]

In some cases, the brand name itself is trademarked. In the case of "Armstrong", I'm not sure how that would be possible, as it's such a common surname.

Looking at one of those ads I posted above, I suppose it's worth mentioning there's also more than one "Crescent".

A list of tool brands and manufacturers names can be found HERE

You might want to also keep this link handy.

Welcome to the site!

 

[Just Curious]

Thanks for the information and for the links.

 

[four.cycle]

you're quite welcome.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Most of The Armstrong Manufacturing Company of Bridgeport (vs. Armstrong Brothers Tool Company of Chicago) stuff gets posted in the Tap and Die thread. We don't have a separate thread for them, as far as I know.

I'm wondering when the OP's triple-head was made. It may not have the old TM on it.

I have an older Armstrong Mfg Co die stock with the old TM on it. It is a very small stamp.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

None of the pieces in my 1944 US Army Ordnance Dept 41-T-2023 threading set (missing the taps!) has that marking. I'm not sure if that was a wartime expedience, or if they just stopped using it at some point. It is very antique looking.

 

[four.cycle]

The trademark I posted above came from a print advertisement, not from a tool.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

?? Of course. If that was in reply to anything I said, I'm confused.

 

[Just Curious]

Hi. Thanks to both of you (Private Lugnutz and four.cycle). I looked for a hallmark similar to the one on the die stock (photo posted by Private Lugnutz above) and couldn't find any.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It could be a little newer, like my second, wartime example.