MAC combo wrench ID help please

[Private Lugnutz]

I know NOTHING about MAC tools. If someone can date this, I would appreciate it. No WWII collector I know collects MAC, mainly because nothing verified MAC as a WWII supplier. The MAC website says differently, basically claiming that they sold tools to the military during WWII under a couple pre-MAC names (Mac Allied Tools, and Mechanics Tool and Forge). But there is no evidence for that in any of the wartime reference that verify all of the other well-known suppliers, and queries to the company to document their claim have never been answered. Still, it was interesting to find this wrench in a wartime toolbox. Doesn't mean it originated there, obviously. But I'd like to know if anyone can date the wrench.

Thanks.

 

[3baygarage]

According to AA, mid 40's to 50's on those early wrenches. They state Mac itself started in '45.

 

[twertsy]

They started in '38. See here for my research: http://toolarchives.com/node/2389

Also, the fact that they got AF contracts was all over the newspapers in '41/42........

 

[chopper1]

Think you could have made the pix a little smaller?

Too small to read and windows 10 won't enlarge them

 

[3baygarage]

I see. You found that the MAC name was trademarked in 1945 then and they used the name earlier. You are a good researcher and tool historian.

 

[tym]

Think you could have made the pix a little smaller?

Too small to read and windows 10 won't enlarge them

They enlarge fine for me.

 

[twertsy]

I see. You found that the MAC name was trademarked in 1945 then and they used the name earlier. You are a good researcher and tool historian.

They always used MAC, after founder Ralph McPherson as far as I've seen. I have a wrench roll branded Mechanics Tool & Forge and the wrenches are very crude and stamped MAC. I have 3 clutch drive screwdrivers the same way. The first use date for "MAC" is listed in the registration as 1/1/1939.

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[woody 73]

Not sure if this will help you out all the information that I could gather up.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278029

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, guys. I've seen references to the newspaper articles before, Todd. The problem is, they read like puff pieces, and they are not substantiated. Maybe the contracts were so small they don't show up, but none of the pre-MAC entities show up in TM's or any other official references. And, we have no examples in period photos. It has really held MAC back with WWII collectors. I think guys I know would like to include them, but we don't know what the tools looked like.

 

[twertsy]

Thanks, guys. I've seen references to the newspaper articles before, Todd. The problem is, they read like puff pieces, and they are not substantiated. Maybe the contracts were so small they don't show up, but none of the pre-MAC entities show up in TM's or any other official references. And, we have no examples in period photos. It has really held MAC back with WWII collectors. I think guys I know would like to include them, but we don't know what the tools looked like.

Noted Greg. Let me see what else I can dig up......I think it's time for an afternoon at the national archives.

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[twertsy]

Not sure what year this is from.........but it's a lead.

https://books.google.com/books?id=y...ved=0ahUKEwjE8PWDr9fNAhUDzIMKHTqBBjQQ6AEILjAB

 

[twertsy]

For another reference

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[Private Lugnutz]

I think it's time for an afternoon at the national archives.

I'd need a couple weeks! I tried to talk my wife into a DC vacation. Our son is stationed at Walter Reed. She could do the monuments and museums - and I'd go to NARA. It didn't go over too big. HAHA.

Finding proof of pre-MAC tools, what they looked like (how they were marked), and what tool-sets they were issued to, would be a big breakthrough in our hobby.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

All I got...thought the D5 was just an old part number.

teh scredriver says MAC on the thimble, and

Phillips
NO 2
SUPER
made in usa
on the blade

no phillips lic. no, might be too new?

 

[tym]

^ Shame somebody looks to have used the screwdriver as a prybar.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

It came with an unbranded flathead that was worse, but I was able to use it as an obstruction screwdriver today.

 

[twertsy]

Here are the clutch drives with both marks.

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