Need Help to Identify Vintage Sockets

[DOlsen]

Does anyone know who made these sockets?

They are 1/2" drive, and are nickel plated. They have straight outside walls with a knurled band in the center. The openings are cold broached, with a turned relief below the hex. The overall height is 1-3/8".

Sizes are 7/8", 15/16", 31/32", 1-1/16", 1-1/8"

 

[LXCam]

Sure looks like Bonney to me with that knurled ring. But I know someone here will know ya know

 

[DOlsen]

There are no markings other than the sizes.

 

[tdcisco1]

wild guess; indestro . I have a similar set but mine have a stamped star on them,machining looks the same.

 

[ganymede]

They look like MTF ( Milwaukee Tool n Forge ) or Snap On.
If they are then maybe late 20's to mid 30's time frame.

 

[woody 73]

Very interesting the second socket from the left has a different band design from the others and the banding is in the very middle in every socket.

 

[bonneyman]

wild guess; indestro . I have a similar set but mine have a stamped star on them,machining looks the same.

I was going to guess Indestro as well....would like to know what they are.

 

[3baygarage]

Very interesting the second socket from the left has a different band design from the others and the banding is in the very middle in every socket.

I was thinking that too, the knurling on that one seems different but other than that they look the same.

I like Gany's assessment, only thing is every SO or MTF socket I've seen has some sort of marking. The early Snap On had the S over O stamping.

They don't look like that much like Duro to me. Even the early Hinsdale had a knurl band but also a logo stamp.

 

[four.cycle]

They don't look like that much like Duro to me.

me either. I'd rule out Duro Chrome / Indestro - knurling on their sockets was down on the drive end.

 

[Provincial]

I have a set of sockets like these, except that they are 12-point. Mixed in with them are a set of 1/2" drive 12-point sockets that have straight knurls (straight lines) that are stamped "made in USA", but with no other markings besides the size.

The finish on both sets seems to be cadmium plating, sort of a matte finish.

 

[woody 73]

Just a guess mind you but they look like they came from Japan???

 

[snapmom]

Snap on did make some very early sockets with no name, but the size markings would be at the top and turned on to the side. Also the knurling would be wider.

 

[Harry Bergeron]

I've seen these and always passed them by because

1. Thickness and 6=point broaching mean weak steel to me.
2. Fugly, heavy, nameless orphans.

OTOH might be some early attempt at heavy duty or impact use.

 

[3baygarage]

Snap on did make some very early sockets with no name, but the size markings would be at the top and turned on to the side. Also the knurling would be wider.

Snapmom must have read my mind . I was going to say that to a t in my last post. This one here is 5/8 drive mind you.

 

[DOlsen]

These are actually very similar to early Hinsdale sockets.

The Alloy Artifacts website says that Hinsdale made sockets for several retailers. The picture is from the A-A website.

 

[LesserSon]

I have several unidentified sockets look to be from the 20s and 30s. I think this one matches yours, except it is a ½" hex drive, instead of square drive.
I had sort of decided it was a Bethlehem Spark Plug Company, despite not having any visible copper plating. Hinsdale, Duro, Indestro, SK, NB...I think most of them produced unmarked sockets. The differences can be pretty minor.
I have a couple I would think are early Snap-on, except they are hex-drive, and all I've read says they only made square-drive.

 

[Smanwaring]

Did you ever figure it out? I have the same set

 

[kshillbilly]

In the 1950s -70s one or two of the Japanese or Taiwan suppliers made hex sockets. That’s what they look like to me. Usually the Japan is just marked Japan. Taiwan was no name. The info is on alloy artifact somewhere. He specifically talks about the company(s) maxing hex socket sets for in the 50s-60s and going in a lot of sets

 

[Ayrhead]

Did you ever figure it out? I have the same set

Is this socket 1/2” square drive 6 point socket?

 

[Ayrhead]

Is this socket 1/2” square drive 6 point socket?

If you at the tool box, it is the top row. The sockets go from 11/32” to 1 1/4”. All 6 point sockets, 1/2” square drive. On the top right are 4 square head bolt sockets, 1/2” drive. Finally the two sockets that are in the pictures that are like specialty sockets.. I’ve read all of the above posts. The only thing I don’t think they could be… I don’t think they are Japanese or Taiwanese. The top part of the box are ??? The middle part and bottom right of the toolbox are Walden Worcester. On the bottom left part are the 2 Snap On and 2 Blackhawk sockets. All 4 from the 1920’s. Any input will be appreciated.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Everyone made that stuff. Unmarked versions not uncommon. Usually just discount versions for retailers.

 

[Ayrhead]

Everyone made that stuff. Unmarked versions not uncommon. Usually just discount versions for retailers.

Thanks @Oldtuleguy . It will be interesting to see if there are other opinions.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

^ Pop up all the time, not just this thread. As OTG alluded to, the characteristics (heavy walled, hot forging, cold broached, hex service openings, band of cross-hatched knurling, size markings) are too common and not distinctive enough among too many mfgrs (Hinsdale, MTF, etc), without branding, for definitive identification.

 

[Ayrhead]

^ Pop up all the time, not just this thread. As OTG alluded to, the characteristics (heavy walled, hot forging, cold broached, hex service openings, band of cross-hatched knurling, size markings) are too common and not distinctive enough among too many mfgrs (Hinsdale, MTF, etc), without branding, for definitive identification.

Thanks for your input. I’ll put this set down as a generic no name socket set. Thanks again.