RoadKing1998
Member
Found this tool kit the other day at an Estate sale. Collect old tools so figured this would look good hanging on the wall and was only $20.00. When I got it home relized the tools were marked with the Pierce Arrow logo.
Pierce Arrow Tool Pouch
- Thread starter RoadKing1998
- Start date
woody 73
Well-known member
Roadking that is a very nice set, take good care of it for the next generation to enjoy.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Congrats on a sweet find, Roadking. Looks like they were made for Pierce Arrow by Fairmount Tool and Forge, which is an uncommon, coveted brand in its own right.
4xdog
Well-known member
Very cool!
3baygarage
Well-known member
That’s an amazing find, congrats. Never ran across a complete set but I have picked up close to 20 individual Pierce Arrow wrenches in my travels. Usually Williams, some Fairmount, some Billings and Spencer.
Oldtuleguy
Well-known member
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- Nov 4, 2017
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Amazing find!
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
I have never even seen one before now.
southalabama
Well-known member
You did well.
Worthy of Antiques Roadshow
Worthy of Antiques Roadshow
thehorse13
Well-known member
Someone doing a Pierce Arrow restoration will pay a king's ransom for that set. You STOLE it at $20. You ****.
You should send that set to me for safe keeping.
lol
You should send that set to me for safe keeping.
lol
OP
RoadKing1998
Member
Thanks guys for the comments. Didn't realize how rare a complete kit is. I have only been able to find a scaned copy of one of these kits from a 1927 catalogue.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
RJ, G, and 3bay,
Are your wrenches painted in the same two-tone scheme?
There's a Pierce Arrow site on the web somewhere, for the car collectors/restorers. But they have a toolkit section. I found a wrench a few years ago, promptly moved it on to a collector, but remember seeing the site when I was doing some quick research.
Are the tools in the catalog scan painted in the two-tone scheme?
Reason I am asking the gents above and you about this, I don't remember seeing that before. Maybe the wrench I found had been stripped. I am wondering if this was a factory or custom finish.
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OP
RoadKing1998
Member
No sure about the paint. The scan photo is not very good. Maybe it was done afterward. I will try and find the photo again.
Just from looking at the pictures above (in the original post) it appears as though that tone Red color is not factory applied but more like from the original owner of that pouch maybe. Perhaps maybe for quick identity purpose's at the work place, etc....or ? 
The only reason I say that it is not factory applied is because the end painted line(s) on the tools are not straight, more like just brushed on, applied by a quick paint brush of sorts.
Really anyone's guess.
The only reason I say that it is not factory applied is because the end painted line(s) on the tools are not straight, more like just brushed on, applied by a quick paint brush of sorts.
Really anyone's guess.
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OP
RoadKing1998
Member
Just from looking at the pictures above (in the original post) it appears as though that tone Red color is not factory applied but more like from the original owner of that pouch maybe. Perhaps maybe for quick identity purpose's at the work place, etc....or ?
The only reason I say that it is not factory applied is because the end painted line(s) on the tools are not straight, more like just brushed on, applied by a quick paint brush of sorts.
Really anyone's guess.
I agree that the paint is not very well done but it's anyone's guess as to what has happened with this kit in last 90 plus years.
By color coding it has help keep all the tools together.
thehorse13
Well-known member
That coating is highly likely done by the original owner. Remember that when you break down at night and it's 1920s-30s, you don't have a good way to see your tools laying on the ground. Pretty clever.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
RoadKing1998: Just to clarify my position with respect to my line of questioning - the paint job does not detract from the quality of the set one iota; in fact, it enhances its authenticity. It may not be (and probably isn't) factory correct, but it makes the set even more historically genuine, in a hands-on way, whereas NOS factory sets (of any kind/application) can sometimes seem too antiseptic, raising doubts about how unmolested they are, and suspicions about them being refinished. Again, it's a terrific set. In the category of finding a complete unmolested automobile tool-set in this era, for any automobile, I hope you realize how rare it is. If you were in a club it would be used as a model for other collectors. It would be called "the Roadking" set as a reference in conversations among members for many years to come. It's that kind of set. They're out there for the Model T and Willys MB and other cars and trucks. But there's not many of them.
3baygarage
Well-known member
Lugz, to anwer your question, no. As other said, probably painted by an owner.
Roadking, I’m curious as to which pieces if any are not stamped with the logo. I would certainly question the dog bone wrench being in the kit. I’m no expert, just my thinking.
Roadking, I’m curious as to which pieces if any are not stamped with the logo. I would certainly question the dog bone wrench being in the kit. I’m no expert, just my thinking.
RoadKing1998, can you make us a complete list of the wrenches (and manufacturers - there is at least one Billings and Spencer there)? I think that would help us keep extra attention to particular wrenches when seen on CL and potentially preserve more Pierce Arrow tools.
The paint question, I am afraid this will confuse matters more.
Both of mine came out if the Los Angeles area and the shanks have traces of black paint. Much like japanning actually.
Much time between finds and different swaps so probably not of the same kit.
The black is consistant with others in the collection and a dead ringer with other Williams. Thus I claim original paint.
Color banding has to be owner applied. But still history worth preserving.
Both of mine came out if the Los Angeles area and the shanks have traces of black paint. Much like japanning actually.
Much time between finds and different swaps so probably not of the same kit.
The black is consistant with others in the collection and a dead ringer with other Williams. Thus I claim original paint.
Color banding has to be owner applied. But still history worth preserving.