expatriated
Well-known member
For those of you that appreciate inheriting tools, memories and such things, I think you will understand this post. The rest of you will probably be bored.
My grandfather passed away last fall at the ripe old age of 92. He was my last remaining grandparent. He led a very interesting life--after graduating from Michigan State, where he played basketball, he went into the Army, served in WWII and stayed in France after the war, helping to manage one of the ports there for the Army. During that time, he began to accumulate 19th century French art, high-end copper cookware, Persian rugs and French china.
After retirement, he came to South Carolina and taught chemistry at the University (Go *****!), from where he eventually retired and began collecting his second pension
.
He stayed in excellent health until the very end and not only handled his own finances up until the week he died, but the finances of the upscale condo building he was living in. He was blessed with a very sharp mind. And cursed with a weakness for Cadillacs--he never drove anything else. He had a new one and his '68 still running when he passed away.
Due to his income and his ability to invest and manage his money, he ended up with a fortune upon his death. Not just in cash and investments but also in stuff like yards of Waterford crystal and truckloads of antiques.
As will often happen, money on the table does not necessarily bring out the best in family members. There are some serious hard feelings now as the estate is being fought over.
I was asked if there was anything I wanted of his and the only thing I cared about is shown below in the attached photos. I remember being a kid 30 years ago running around with him, trying to fix things with his small complement of tools. I hope to pass this down to my kids one day and when I use the tools inside of it, I'll always think of him. (Besides, what the heck am I going to do with hand painted French china or some oil on an old piece of canvas
)
Here's the deal. The box is only half full. Seems like many pieces were lost over the years. The box is at my Mom's house in NC so I don't have pics of the tools inside of it. The last time I was in it, it had some old Cman ratchets, sockets and screwdrivers.
My plan is to pretty much fill it with a complete set from that time period. Not being a Craftsman historian, I need help from you guys dating this box.
Can you tell me what year this box is, more or less? And...
What Craftsman tool markings am I looking for that would fit that time frame? I see guys talking about V and VV and stuff like that. I need to know what to be hunting for. Once I get the box, I can see what's on the existing tools but i thought I'd post this now to see what you guys say.
Anyway, if you've made it this far, thanks for sharing your time and thoughts.
My grandfather passed away last fall at the ripe old age of 92. He was my last remaining grandparent. He led a very interesting life--after graduating from Michigan State, where he played basketball, he went into the Army, served in WWII and stayed in France after the war, helping to manage one of the ports there for the Army. During that time, he began to accumulate 19th century French art, high-end copper cookware, Persian rugs and French china.
After retirement, he came to South Carolina and taught chemistry at the University (Go *****!), from where he eventually retired and began collecting his second pension
. He stayed in excellent health until the very end and not only handled his own finances up until the week he died, but the finances of the upscale condo building he was living in. He was blessed with a very sharp mind. And cursed with a weakness for Cadillacs--he never drove anything else. He had a new one and his '68 still running when he passed away.
Due to his income and his ability to invest and manage his money, he ended up with a fortune upon his death. Not just in cash and investments but also in stuff like yards of Waterford crystal and truckloads of antiques.
As will often happen, money on the table does not necessarily bring out the best in family members. There are some serious hard feelings now as the estate is being fought over.
I was asked if there was anything I wanted of his and the only thing I cared about is shown below in the attached photos. I remember being a kid 30 years ago running around with him, trying to fix things with his small complement of tools. I hope to pass this down to my kids one day and when I use the tools inside of it, I'll always think of him. (Besides, what the heck am I going to do with hand painted French china or some oil on an old piece of canvas
)Here's the deal. The box is only half full. Seems like many pieces were lost over the years. The box is at my Mom's house in NC so I don't have pics of the tools inside of it. The last time I was in it, it had some old Cman ratchets, sockets and screwdrivers.
My plan is to pretty much fill it with a complete set from that time period. Not being a Craftsman historian, I need help from you guys dating this box.
Can you tell me what year this box is, more or less? And...
What Craftsman tool markings am I looking for that would fit that time frame? I see guys talking about V and VV and stuff like that. I need to know what to be hunting for. Once I get the box, I can see what's on the existing tools but i thought I'd post this now to see what you guys say.
Anyway, if you've made it this far, thanks for sharing your time and thoughts.
