kc-steve
Well-known member
I was just wondering if anyone knew the approximate manufacturing dates of the old Craftsman tools with the -VV- and -V- markings.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
Old Craftsman -VV- dates?
- Thread starter kc-steve
- Start date
lowbucktruck
Well-known member
The Alloy Artifacts website has a handy table of manufacturing codes for the early Craftsman tools (but does not include info after the 1960's):
http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/craftsman-early-tools-p3.html#maker-v
Mid-1940's vintage onward, I believe. Others might chime in with more information. I have some of the old -V- Craftsman wrenches myself.
http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/craftsman-early-tools-p3.html#maker-v
Mid-1940's vintage onward, I believe. Others might chime in with more information. I have some of the old -V- Craftsman wrenches myself.
johnnybentwrench
Well-known member
=v= 50's -v- 60's -vv-70's or 80's ??? I am only speculating on what I have bought off original owners. vv are later and a little thinner & more rounded off on the edges with a nickel finish. IMO the nicest finish they had, however I am partial to the C1 series, JBW
cruiser808
Well-known member
I was able to purchase new -V- and -VV- hardline tools until around 1990. The socket sets in the 80's had both the V and VV as well as the G desigination on them. IIRC, the "G" stood for the Gastonia plant in North Carolina where they were manufactured.
littlekillertoad
Well-known member
This isn't my own work, it's from lauver. But, hopefully it'll help out.
Craftsman Time Frame
Early Craftsman Series (generally pre-1947, some exceptions):
A-circle = Empire, ca. 1935 -1973
BC = unknown U.S. manufacturer, ca. ? - ?
BE = New Britain, ca. 1931 - 1947
BM = S-K, ca. 1939 - 1951
BT = Vlchek/New Britain, ca. 1936 - 1938
Cxx = Probably New Britain or Hinsdale, ca. 1932 - 1936
CI = unknown U.S manu., ca. 1930 - 1945
CF or C-F = Probably Herbrand, ca. 1934 - 1939
CK = Unknown U.S. manu., ca. 1939 - 1943
Craftsman Vanadium = unknown U.S. Manu, ca. 1931 - 1941
C8 = JP Danielson, ca. 1930 -1936
F-circle = Miller Falls, ca. 1949 - 1964
G-circle = possibly Lectrolite, ca. 1949 - 1964
H-circle = New Britain, ca. 1931 - 1947
K-circle = SK, ca. 1939 - 1951 perhaps later
N-square = unknown U.S. manu., ca ? - ?
P-circle = Wilde, ca. 1945 - 1960
S-circle = Kastar, ca. 1960 - 2008, perhaps earlier
V-circle = unknown U.S. manu., ca. ? - 1985
U-circle = Plomb/Penens, ca. 1944 - 1948
Y-circle = possibly Ridge Tool, ca. ? - ?
Z-circle = Mayhew, ca. 1957 - 1969
Modern Craftsman Series (generally 1947 and later, some exceptions):
AZ-circle = unknown U.S. manu, ca ? - ?
BF = probably Daido, possibly KTC, Japanese made, ca 1969 - 1987
C = unknown U.S. manu., ca. 1991
C = Stanley Works, Taiwanese made, ca. ? - ?
(note--this is a Canadian Craftsman series code)
CG = unknown U.S. manu., ca. 2001 - 2005
D = Kington, Chinese made, ca. 1992 - 2008
DJ = Mitutoyo, Japanese made, ca. 1968 perhaps earlier & later
E/EE = National Hand Tools/later Stanley Works-NHT division, some USA made, most Taiwanese made, ca. 1982 - 1991
EEE/EEC/EE7 = Stanley Works, Taiwanese made, ca. 1988 - 2009
(note--these may be Canadian Craftsman series codes)
F = Danaher/possibly K-D division, ca. ? - 2008
G = Easco, ca. 1980 - 1989 perhaps as early as 1979 when Easco acquired the Gastonia plant
G continued = Danaher, ca. 1990 - 2010
G1 = Danaher, ca. 2000
G2 = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
G2D = Danaher, ca. 2008 - 2010
GD = Danaher, ca. 2008 - 2009
GK = Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division, ca. 2003 - 2010
GK-A = Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division, ca. 1999 - 2003
GK-F = Danaher/Kinsley Tools Division, ca. 2007 - 2008
GK-G = Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division, ca. 2007 - 2008
GK-X = Danaher/Kinsley Tools Division, ca. ? - 2008
H = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. 1994 - 2010
HZ = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. ? - 2008
HZ O = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. 2008 - 2009
HZ OO = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. 2008 - 2009
I-circle = Parker Mfg Co, ca. 1962 - 1986
JW = J.H. Williams & Co, ca. 1954 - 1972
K = SK division of Facom, ca. 1985 - 2004, could still be NOS
K = Danaher, ca. 2009 - 2010
K1W = Danaher, ca. 2007
K3V = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
K3X = Danaher, ca. 2007 -2008
K7Z = Danaher, ca. 2010 - ?
K4W = Danaher, ca. 2007 - ?
K9W = Danaher, ca. 2008 - 2009
KR = Danaher, ca. 2005 - 2008
KU = Danaher, ca. 1992 - 2005
KV = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
KW = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, probably earlier
KX = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, probably earlier
KY = Danaher, ca. 2009 - ?
KZ = Danaher, ca. 2010 - ?
L1X = Danaher, ca. 2008 - ?
LC = probably Lectrolite, ca. ? - 1964
L SI = Simmonds International, ca. 2008 - 2010
LZ = Danaher, Made in Taiwan, ca. 2010 - ?
M6W = Dahaher, ca. 2007 - 2008
M6Y = Dahaher, ca. 2009 - 2009
N = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2009
OA = Unknown U.S. manu., ca. ? - ?
P = Wilde, ca. 2008 - 2010, perhaps earlier
Q = Pratt Read, ca. 2002 - 2006
R = Pratt Read, ca. 2002 - 2006
PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2002 - 2009
Q PR = Pratt Read, ca. ? - ?
S PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008
T PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008
T-hex (T inside hex outline) = unknown U.S. manu, ca. 2010 - ?
U PR1-3 = Pratt Read, ca. 2008
V PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008
W PR = Pratt Read, ca 2007 - 2009
X PR = Pratt Read, ca 2009 - 2009
ST = Stanley Works, likely Taiwanese made, ca. 2007 - 2009
(note- this is a Canadian Craftsman series code)
T1V = Danaher, ca. 2006 - 2007
T2W = Danaher, ca. 2008
T3W = Danaher, ca. 2008
T5V = Danaher, ca. 2008
T5W = Danaher, ca. 2008
T5X = Danaher, ca. 2008
V = Moore Drop Forge, ca. 1946 - 1967
V (continued) = Easco, ca. 1968 - 1986 perhaps as late as 1991 as NOS
VE = Danaher, ca. ? - ?
VF = Danaher, ca. likely early 1990's
VG = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 1995
VH = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 1997
VJ = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 2008
VK = Danaher, ca. 1996 - ?
VL = Danaher, ca. ? - ?
VM = Danaher, ca. 1998 - ?
VN = Danaher, ca. 1999 - 2001
VP = Danaher, ca. ? - ?
VQ = Danaher, ca. 2001 - 2004
VR = Danaher, ca. 2002
VS = Danaher, ca. 1995 - 2003
VT = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2006
VU = Danaher, ca. 2005
VV = Easco, ca. 1974 - 1989
VV continued = Danaher, ca. 1990 - 2009
VW = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2009
V^(2nd V inverted) = Danaher, Armstrong Division, ca. 1992 - 2010
^V(1st V inverted) = Danaher, ca. 2010 - ?
VVH = Danaher, ca. 2000 - ?
VVL = Danaher, ca. 2000 - ?
VVN = Danaher, ca. 2005
VVS = Danaher, ca. 2003
VVT = Danaher, ca. 2004 - 2005
VVV = Danaher, ca. 2008
VVW = Danaher, ca. 2008
VVX = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, possibly earlier
VVY = Danaher, ca. 2009 - 2009
VVZ = Danaher, ca. 2010 - ?
W = SK Hand tools, post-Facom , ca. 2005 - 2008
WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - 2008
WF ll = Western Forge, ca. 1969 - ?
WF D = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
WF J = Western Forge, ca. 1991 - ?
WF K = Western Forge, ca. ?
WF L = Western Forge, ca. ? - 2009
WF R = Western Forge, ca. ?
WF U = Western Forge, ca. 2008
WF V = Western Forge, ca. 2008 - 2009
WF W = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
WF X = Western Forge, ca. 2008 - 2009
WF Y = Western Forge, ca. 2009 - 2010
WF Z = Western Forge, ca. 2010 - ?
A WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
B WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
C WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
D WF = Western Forge, ca. 1993 - 2000
E WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
F WF = Western Forge, ca. 2003
G WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
H WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
J WF = Western Forge, ca. 1995
K WF = Western Forge, ca. 1995
L WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
M WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
N WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
O WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
P WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
Q WF = Western Forge, ca. 1990 - 1995
S WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - 2009
T WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
U WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
V WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
W WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
X WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - 2009
Y WF= Western Forge, ca. 2009 - 2010
Z WF = Western Forge, ca. 2010 - ?
+ WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - ?
* WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - ?
> WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
|| WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
∆ WF = Western Forge, ca. 1966 - ?
□ WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - ?
7 WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
X = SK Hand tools, post-Facom , ca. 2008 - 2009
X = Mayhew, ca. 2010 - ?
Y = Danaher, Made in China, ca. 2009 - 2010
Z = Mayhew, ca. 1957 - 2010
3 = Kastar, ca. 1991
4 = Kastar, ca. 1992
7 = Easco, ca. 1987 - 1988 possibly 1984 - 1991
[ = Kastar, ca. 2002 - 2009 possibly earlier
Hex-Line = Kastar, ca. 2009 - ?
.(Dot) = SK, ca. 2008 - 2009
Pulled the info from here:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14107&highlight=craftsman+date&page=4
Craftsman Time Frame
Early Craftsman Series (generally pre-1947, some exceptions):
A-circle = Empire, ca. 1935 -1973
BC = unknown U.S. manufacturer, ca. ? - ?
BE = New Britain, ca. 1931 - 1947
BM = S-K, ca. 1939 - 1951
BT = Vlchek/New Britain, ca. 1936 - 1938
Cxx = Probably New Britain or Hinsdale, ca. 1932 - 1936
CI = unknown U.S manu., ca. 1930 - 1945
CF or C-F = Probably Herbrand, ca. 1934 - 1939
CK = Unknown U.S. manu., ca. 1939 - 1943
Craftsman Vanadium = unknown U.S. Manu, ca. 1931 - 1941
C8 = JP Danielson, ca. 1930 -1936
F-circle = Miller Falls, ca. 1949 - 1964
G-circle = possibly Lectrolite, ca. 1949 - 1964
H-circle = New Britain, ca. 1931 - 1947
K-circle = SK, ca. 1939 - 1951 perhaps later
N-square = unknown U.S. manu., ca ? - ?
P-circle = Wilde, ca. 1945 - 1960
S-circle = Kastar, ca. 1960 - 2008, perhaps earlier
V-circle = unknown U.S. manu., ca. ? - 1985
U-circle = Plomb/Penens, ca. 1944 - 1948
Y-circle = possibly Ridge Tool, ca. ? - ?
Z-circle = Mayhew, ca. 1957 - 1969
Modern Craftsman Series (generally 1947 and later, some exceptions):
AZ-circle = unknown U.S. manu, ca ? - ?
BF = probably Daido, possibly KTC, Japanese made, ca 1969 - 1987
C = unknown U.S. manu., ca. 1991
C = Stanley Works, Taiwanese made, ca. ? - ?
(note--this is a Canadian Craftsman series code)
CG = unknown U.S. manu., ca. 2001 - 2005
D = Kington, Chinese made, ca. 1992 - 2008
DJ = Mitutoyo, Japanese made, ca. 1968 perhaps earlier & later
E/EE = National Hand Tools/later Stanley Works-NHT division, some USA made, most Taiwanese made, ca. 1982 - 1991
EEE/EEC/EE7 = Stanley Works, Taiwanese made, ca. 1988 - 2009
(note--these may be Canadian Craftsman series codes)
F = Danaher/possibly K-D division, ca. ? - 2008
G = Easco, ca. 1980 - 1989 perhaps as early as 1979 when Easco acquired the Gastonia plant
G continued = Danaher, ca. 1990 - 2010
G1 = Danaher, ca. 2000
G2 = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
G2D = Danaher, ca. 2008 - 2010
GD = Danaher, ca. 2008 - 2009
GK = Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division, ca. 2003 - 2010
GK-A = Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division, ca. 1999 - 2003
GK-F = Danaher/Kinsley Tools Division, ca. 2007 - 2008
GK-G = Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division, ca. 2007 - 2008
GK-X = Danaher/Kinsley Tools Division, ca. ? - 2008
H = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. 1994 - 2010
HZ = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. ? - 2008
HZ O = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. 2008 - 2009
HZ OO = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. 2008 - 2009
I-circle = Parker Mfg Co, ca. 1962 - 1986
JW = J.H. Williams & Co, ca. 1954 - 1972
K = SK division of Facom, ca. 1985 - 2004, could still be NOS
K = Danaher, ca. 2009 - 2010
K1W = Danaher, ca. 2007
K3V = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
K3X = Danaher, ca. 2007 -2008
K7Z = Danaher, ca. 2010 - ?
K4W = Danaher, ca. 2007 - ?
K9W = Danaher, ca. 2008 - 2009
KR = Danaher, ca. 2005 - 2008
KU = Danaher, ca. 1992 - 2005
KV = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
KW = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, probably earlier
KX = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, probably earlier
KY = Danaher, ca. 2009 - ?
KZ = Danaher, ca. 2010 - ?
L1X = Danaher, ca. 2008 - ?
LC = probably Lectrolite, ca. ? - 1964
L SI = Simmonds International, ca. 2008 - 2010
LZ = Danaher, Made in Taiwan, ca. 2010 - ?
M6W = Dahaher, ca. 2007 - 2008
M6Y = Dahaher, ca. 2009 - 2009
N = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2009
OA = Unknown U.S. manu., ca. ? - ?
P = Wilde, ca. 2008 - 2010, perhaps earlier
Q = Pratt Read, ca. 2002 - 2006
R = Pratt Read, ca. 2002 - 2006
PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2002 - 2009
Q PR = Pratt Read, ca. ? - ?
S PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008
T PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008
T-hex (T inside hex outline) = unknown U.S. manu, ca. 2010 - ?
U PR1-3 = Pratt Read, ca. 2008
V PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008
W PR = Pratt Read, ca 2007 - 2009
X PR = Pratt Read, ca 2009 - 2009
ST = Stanley Works, likely Taiwanese made, ca. 2007 - 2009
(note- this is a Canadian Craftsman series code)
T1V = Danaher, ca. 2006 - 2007
T2W = Danaher, ca. 2008
T3W = Danaher, ca. 2008
T5V = Danaher, ca. 2008
T5W = Danaher, ca. 2008
T5X = Danaher, ca. 2008
V = Moore Drop Forge, ca. 1946 - 1967
V (continued) = Easco, ca. 1968 - 1986 perhaps as late as 1991 as NOS
VE = Danaher, ca. ? - ?
VF = Danaher, ca. likely early 1990's
VG = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 1995
VH = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 1997
VJ = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 2008
VK = Danaher, ca. 1996 - ?
VL = Danaher, ca. ? - ?
VM = Danaher, ca. 1998 - ?
VN = Danaher, ca. 1999 - 2001
VP = Danaher, ca. ? - ?
VQ = Danaher, ca. 2001 - 2004
VR = Danaher, ca. 2002
VS = Danaher, ca. 1995 - 2003
VT = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2006
VU = Danaher, ca. 2005
VV = Easco, ca. 1974 - 1989
VV continued = Danaher, ca. 1990 - 2009
VW = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2009
V^(2nd V inverted) = Danaher, Armstrong Division, ca. 1992 - 2010
^V(1st V inverted) = Danaher, ca. 2010 - ?
VVH = Danaher, ca. 2000 - ?
VVL = Danaher, ca. 2000 - ?
VVN = Danaher, ca. 2005
VVS = Danaher, ca. 2003
VVT = Danaher, ca. 2004 - 2005
VVV = Danaher, ca. 2008
VVW = Danaher, ca. 2008
VVX = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, possibly earlier
VVY = Danaher, ca. 2009 - 2009
VVZ = Danaher, ca. 2010 - ?
W = SK Hand tools, post-Facom , ca. 2005 - 2008
WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - 2008
WF ll = Western Forge, ca. 1969 - ?
WF D = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
WF J = Western Forge, ca. 1991 - ?
WF K = Western Forge, ca. ?
WF L = Western Forge, ca. ? - 2009
WF R = Western Forge, ca. ?
WF U = Western Forge, ca. 2008
WF V = Western Forge, ca. 2008 - 2009
WF W = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
WF X = Western Forge, ca. 2008 - 2009
WF Y = Western Forge, ca. 2009 - 2010
WF Z = Western Forge, ca. 2010 - ?
A WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
B WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
C WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
D WF = Western Forge, ca. 1993 - 2000
E WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
F WF = Western Forge, ca. 2003
G WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
H WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
J WF = Western Forge, ca. 1995
K WF = Western Forge, ca. 1995
L WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
M WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
N WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
O WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
P WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
Q WF = Western Forge, ca. 1990 - 1995
S WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - 2009
T WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
U WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
V WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
W WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
X WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - 2009
Y WF= Western Forge, ca. 2009 - 2010
Z WF = Western Forge, ca. 2010 - ?
+ WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - ?
* WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - ?
> WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
|| WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
∆ WF = Western Forge, ca. 1966 - ?
□ WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - ?
7 WF = Western Forge, ca. ? - ?
X = SK Hand tools, post-Facom , ca. 2008 - 2009
X = Mayhew, ca. 2010 - ?
Y = Danaher, Made in China, ca. 2009 - 2010
Z = Mayhew, ca. 1957 - 2010
3 = Kastar, ca. 1991
4 = Kastar, ca. 1992
7 = Easco, ca. 1987 - 1988 possibly 1984 - 1991
[ = Kastar, ca. 2002 - 2009 possibly earlier
Hex-Line = Kastar, ca. 2009 - ?
.(Dot) = SK, ca. 2008 - 2009
Pulled the info from here:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14107&highlight=craftsman+date&page=4
johnnybentwrench
Well-known member
The EE are Easco, chrome is great
RRmech
Well-known member
I bought a lot of -V- Craftsman wrenches back in the late 60's.
Steve
Steve
Thanks Lowbuck, my Webroot Security Suite tried to block me saying it was a "suspicious" website, meaning I guess they've had a virus or spyware in the past. I took a deep breath and went in and looked around. My computer didn't come up with any viruses. But that site has a lot of info about old tools. Thanks
Yeah, now that's what I needed. Thanks Johnny!
And thanks to all the others as well. Lots of good info.
Steve
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Stanley, actually...