Old ratchet and socket set - complete

[kcmap]

Just picked up this cool set at a garage sale. None of the pieces are plated, nor are there any manufacturers stamp or markings, each socket does have the size stamped into the metal. Any thoughts or information is welcome.

 

[d42jeep]

They have an Indestro look about them.
-Don

 

[Skellyii]

Another KC area antique tool collector?? More competition...

Yeah, most likely Indestro.

I picked up this set at an estate sale a couple of months ago. I've seen a few sets over the last few months, but this was the only one that had all of the sockets. There should be some barely legible stamping on the bottom.

Yours is the first that I've seen recently that has the bar.

 

[kcmap]

I didn't look on the bottom of the case... only thing is a patent number, 1788535, which according to Google is/was owned by Duro metal products, Norris F. Mcnaught, and Peterson Edward Henry. 1-13-31 to 1-13-48

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...only thing is a patent number, 1788535, which according to Google is/was owned by Duro metal products, Norris F. Mcnaught, and Peterson Edward Henry. 1-13-31 to 1-13-48

Duro Metal Products and Indestro were like the Siamese twins of vintage hand tool production. They shared ownership, facilities, etc. It's a little more complicated than high end and economy line, especially because some products are indistinguishable. Alloy Artifacts actually does a fine job in describing the situation and our resident expert (and former retail buyer!) @four.cycle could give you the dissertation and probably already has somewhere on the Duro-Indestro thread, which can be most quickly and easily found in the A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky titled READ B4 POSTING! at the top of the forum.

 

[four.cycle]

@kcmap - your set is a model 1451 Indestro 11-piece "Handy" 1/2" drive socket set

The 1788535 patent is on the steel HOLDER.

(Note that the datamp.org page on this patent number shows "Duro Metal Products Co." as the manufacturer as well as the assignee on the patent. The unit was also manufactured by Indestro Mfg. Corp., whose operations were in the same building (under the same ownership) as Duro Metal Products Co. (aka "Duro-Chrome".)