File Cards And Brushes

[d42jeep]

For those of us involved in collecting second echelon WW2 toolsets including the early war Motor Vehicle Mechanic Tool Set (MVMTS) or later war General Mechanics Tool Set (GMTS) both commonly referred to as the GMTK, there has always been some question about the file cleaners that would have been included in the sets from 1938 until September 1942. To that end, I have searched out vintage file cards and brushes for several years. I’ll be posting quite a few examples that I have found and I’m hopeful that others will post the ones they have found. So in no particular order here they are.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

More file card and brush pictures.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

More.
I found this one yesterday at a garage sale. Probably pretty modern
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I spotted these two file cleaners in the pictures of this morning’s estate sale. They are a little more modern than I like to pick up but the Nicholson is in quite good condition and the Colton’s even has the original pick included. It looks old fashioned but the zip code indicates manufacture after 1963.
-Don

 

[Ricky Joe]

You better get to filing, if you plan on using those!

 

[d42jeep]

Username posted these on g503.com in 2015
.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I took a picture of these old guys today. Other than no holes in the handles they are a close match to these early documents.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Some early catalog listings.
-Don

 

[Fred Knox]

These are my only two file cards - one Nicholson and one Colton. I use both of them. I have no idea on their vintage, but the Colton does not have the zip code!

 

[four.cycle]

colton goes way back:
Colton / George A. Colton see Munger Colton Mfg. Co. / Colton's Inc., Bensenville, IL / file cleaner, vise / patent 320224 Jun 16 1885 & 438098 Oct 7 1890 George A. Colton / see also E.C. Knudson, see also Lutz File & Tool Co. /

 

[d42jeep]

Although not Craftsman marked, there is little doubt that this file card came from Sears.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

This morning’s garage sale find. Odd to see these two names together on a tool.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Some period information.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

This morning’s garage sale find. Odd to see these two names together on a tool.
-Don

Unfortunately, those two names are on every file at the local hardware stores.

 

[d42jeep]

That’s probably why I don’t have any new files but plenty of old ones.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

Yeah, I have Black Diamonds that I've been using for around thirty years. Getting a little shiny, but will still sharpen cutting tools. I've bought a few of the new Crescent/Nicholson for use at work and they last about a year, mostly sharpening mower blades--and I'm the only one using them, so no abuse.

 

[d42jeep]

A couple of these have surfaced recently. I found this one at an estate sale this morning and it is likely pretty early with the patent number embossed. Not too surprisingly, the pick was missing.
The patent date is Oct 7, 1890

They haven’t changed much over the years.
Outlaw found one recently as well.
-Don

 

[Fred Knox]

I just found one too. Third one is the charm! If I wanted to date it, I guess I could research when E.C. Knudson took over the old H.H. Munger store in Chicago!

 

[d42jeep]

My Blue Point file card arrived in the mail today.
Here are my three together.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I found this image while reading through a 1945 Navy tool book.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here are two different file cards I found at a Tahoe moving sale today. The two establishments shown on the price tags are no longer in business. The smaller rectangular one is a shape I haven’t seen before.
The Lutz branded one is a much more familiar shape.
I found a picture of the Sugar House taken in the 70s.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I can’t stop! This lightly used card was found at a recent estate sale. No brand markings that I could see. Just another user.
-Don