Craftsman =V= 3/4" drive socket set with date!

[Rileysan]

For you Craftsman junkies, I bring to you this crown top 3/4" drive socket set. When I bought it last summer ($125) I was so taken with the condition that I couldn't pass it up. Most of the set is unused and the only visible wear is what I would call shelf wear. I pulled out the set from storage and was going to put it in its new home, but not without addressing the timy bit of rust I saw on two sockets. As I pulled them out of the box, I noticed a slip of paper that I had overlooked. My hope was that it was a receipt, but it turned out even better than expected. It was a dated packing slip from the day the manufacturer packed it.

I am delighted to present to you an original Craftsman socket set, packed on April 2, 1964.

Brian

 

[4 FN 27]

That is cool. Nice find.

 

[alton1911]

That is truly cool.

 

[four.cycle]

quite the find!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Brian,
That is awesome!!!

Can you show a pic of the inside of the box? Do you believe the box and the sockets were together originally?

Thanks!
Mike

 

[Musicinabottle]

It looks like the ratchet is too big to fit in the box. Nice find! I like that box!

 

[Rileysan]

Yes, I'm certain the box and all its contents were shipped together. The previous owner was the original owner. I'll get more photos tomorrow.

Brian

 

[lauver]

Rileysan,

Nice 3/4 drive set. A real piece of history.

But, are you sure about that date? It looks like April 2, 1954 to me. And, the 1954 date would make sense given the box head ratchet in your set.

Just saying...

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Yes, I'm certain the box and all its contents were shipped together. The previous owner was the original owner. I'll get more photos tomorrow.

Brian

Thanks. I'm trying to determine what my =V= 3/4" socket set is missing. What sockets does yours have? I know I'm missing 1". The long extension and slide bar are missing as well but mine has an 18" flex bar.

 

[Rileysan]

Rileysan,

Nice 3/4 drive set. A real piece of history.

But, are you sure about that date? It looks like April 2, 1954 to me. And, the 1954 date would make sense given the box head ratchet in your set.

Just saying...

If I recall correctly, this ratchet was in production through 1967, when the quick release button was added, though I don't know when this model was introduced. The crown top logo on the box is keycto discerning the decade. I believe it's 1964, though the packing slip is faded badly enough to question the dates.

Brian

 

[bczygan]

Yes, 1954!

I was 3!

Bill

 

[Rileysan]

Thanks. I'm trying to determine what my =V= 3/4" socket set is missing. What sockets does yours have? I know I'm missing 1". The long extension and slide bar are missing as well but mine has an 18" flex bar.

I wonder how many different configurations there might have been?

This set has no 1" socket. The sizes are:

1 1/16"
1 1/8"
1 1/4"
1 5/16"
1 3/8"
1 7/16"
1 1/2"
1 5/8"
1 11/16"
1 3/4"
1 13/16"
1 7/8"
2"

Brian

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I wonder how many different configurations there might have been?

This set has no 1" socket. The sizes are:

1 1/16"
1 1/8"
1 1/4"
1 5/16"
1 3/8"
1 7/16"
1 1/2"
1 5/8"
1 11/16"
1 3/4"
1 13/16"
1 7/8"
2"

Brian

Your set seems like what I saw in the '64, '68 & '72-'73 catalogs. Interestingly mine has the following sizes:

15/16"
1" (missing)
1 1/16"
1 1/8"
1 3/16"
1 1/4"
1 5/16"
1 3/8"
1 7/16"
1 1/2"
1 5/8"
1 11/16"
1 3/4"

It would be nice if I could find that group of socket sizes as part of a set in a catalog. I checked three different sites and it seems they all have those same dates for catalogs. IIRC the =V= ended in the mid '70s. ??

PS Sorry for hi-jacking your thread!

 

[Rileysan]

Your set seems like what I saw in the '64, '68 & '72-'73 catalogs. Interestingly mine has the following sizes:

15/16"
1" (missing)
1 1/16"
1 1/8"
1 3/16"
1 1/4"
1 5/16"
1 3/8"
1 7/16"
1 1/2"
1 5/8"
1 11/16"
1 3/4"

It would be nice if I could find that group of socket sizes as part of a set in a catalog. I checked three different sites and it seems they all have those same dates for catalogs. IIRC the =V= ended in the mid '70s. ??

PS Sorry for hi-jacking your thread!

Bah! You didn't hijack anything. The point (IMO) of all of these threads is to learn something.

As for your configuration, I don't have access to the catalogs because my PC is dead. If you haven't found your set in a catalog, do you think it's possible that it was piece-mealed together?

I'll be adding at least two more sockets to my set as soon as I find 15/16" and 1". That ought to throw someone into fits long after I'm gone!

Brian

 

[Richard Cranium]

I just purchased a set in the same exact crown top box but mine has a lot more sockets and no slide tee.

 

[930dreamer]

I like it, nice find.

 

[davethorik]

Rileysan,

Nice 3/4 drive set. A real piece of history.

But, are you sure about that date? It looks like April 2, 1954 to me. And, the 1954 date would make sense given the box head ratchet in your set.

Just saying...

Maybe I'm wrong here, but the same basic box head Craftsman ratchet was basically the last style of 3/4 they made. Apart from model # changes and addition of QR, they still sell them today.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Bah! You didn't hijack anything. The point (IMO) of all of these threads is to learn something.

As for your configuration, I don't have access to the catalogs because my PC is dead. If you haven't found your set in a catalog, do you think it's possible that it was piece-mealed together?

I'll be adding at least two more sockets to my set as soon as I find 15/16" and 1". That ought to throw someone into fits long after I'm gone!

Brian

Sure it could have been piece-mealed. If that missing 1" socket was there that would be 13 sockets. Coincidence that most of these sets have 13 sockets? Maybe. I'll probably do likewise and just add the sockets and missing other pieces as I come across them.

And like you said give those coming behind fits trying to figure where they came from.

Mike

 

[Jim C.]

That’s one of those sets that checks all the collector requirements. It appears to be complete, the tools are in top working condition, the original box is present and it isn’t all beat up, there’s some documentation regarding the age of the set, the price wasn’t too bad. You didn’t steal it, but the price was reasonable in my opinion. I would have paid it. Nice find. I’m glad you didn’t pass on it.

Jim C. (If we’re taking a poll, the date looks like 1954 to me.)

 

[twertsy]

If I recall correctly, this ratchet was in production through 1967, when the quick release button was added, though I don't know when this model was introduced. The crown top logo on the box is keycto discerning the decade. I believe it's 1964, though the packing slip is faded badly enough to question the dates.

Brian

I too am seeing 1954. Straight vertical line of the 5 is the clue I used. Were it a 6, it would be curved. There's also a visible gap in the bottom hook, also indicating it's a 5.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

How about a close-up on that date? We all wanna know if it's '54 or '64.

 

[Rileysan]

I too am seeing 1954. Straight vertical line of the 5 is the clue I used. Were it a 6, it would be curved. There's also a visible gap in the bottom hook, also indicating it's a 5.

Enough of you saw a 5 that I had to take another look. Hopefully this picture is better. Let the debate continue!

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

As requested, here are more photos of the inside of the box, as well as with all pieces in put away.

Brian

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Dang nice set whatever the date on that packing slip. I think I can see both a 5 and a 6 but would never doubt the eyes of the guy with it in his hand....very nice set to find Brian. Ed.

 

[Richard Cranium]

my vote goes to 1964

 

[txlonghorn1989]

As requested, here are more photos of the inside of the box, as well as with all pieces in put away.

Brian

Thanks! Looks good! Would love to find one for my 3/4" socket set.

 

[tombell572]

Beautiful set, Brian. I'll join the debate and offer that it looks like a "6" rather than a "5". The 6 and 9 seem to bear a close similar inverted appearance. Great find!

Tom B.

 

[four.cycle]

I'm seeing a "6", but eyeballs are old and tired.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Another 6 stumbling in here.

 

[jakemac]

Like others, I'm seeing a 6 in the pictures.

On another note, I'll be the one to point out that the ratchet has been rebuilt. The original anvil would have been a silver/bare steel color. The repair kits had a black finish.