Craftsman =V= Sockets without Chrome?

[toothpickmatt]

I picked up a partial set of 1/2-drive deep sockets this past week that are different from any I have ever seen before. They are =V= series and look the part, just without chrome. The finish looks like plain steel, very similar to the circle-H or circle-BE sockets I have. Were these manufactured this way? If so were these early =V= series sockets? I've heard of manufactures not using chrome during WWII, but these would have been made at the earliest a few years after the war ended. All searching I’ve tried on this site and others has not turned up anything like these. Curious if anyone has any info they can share on these.

Markings around the base are 1 1/8 (or other size) CRAFTSMAN === V ===

Attached are two photos, the first is the set of sockets.




And one of the sockets next to a -V- socket with the typical chrome for contrast.


Thanks for any insight into these.

Best regards,
Matt

 

[Lesserstore]

From late 1951- late 1954, Craftsman sockets were cadmium plated. Possibly due to the Korean War, a cost cutting experiment, or both.

 

[d42jeep]

There was some discussion of the cad plated =v= sockets here.

Craftsman Socket Evolution 1948-2024

Part III ADDED Craftsman Socket Evolution 1948-2024 In this time of great boredom I have written the first part in a series about Craftsman sockets. Part I will cover Moore Drop Forge and Easco, Part II will cover Danaher's takeover of Easco and their U.S. production, Part III will cover...

www.garagejournal.com

And post #317 here.

Show Your Heritage Logo Love

Spotted this old spray bomb victim for sale. Looks like a major project. The heritage badge is still there on the bottom drawer of the top chest.

www.garagejournal.com

-Don

 

[toothpickmatt]

Thanks for the info and good reading material Lesserstore and d42jeep! I had known of various companies using cadmium plating during WWII, but had not realized it was done during the Korean War too. Fascinating bit of Craftsman history.

Best regards,
Matt