As for the adjustable wrench, sears has been selling almost the identical model since 1930, with the exception of having "Vanadium" stamped on one side of the shank back then.So I don't know if Sears stole the design, but if they did, they didn't steal it from WF. If you go to alloy-artifacts dot org you can find a pretty complete history of a lot of craftsman tools including adjustable wrenches, from their site:
Adjustable Wrenches
Craftsman adjustable wrenches were first offered in the 1930 Fall and Winter catalog in sizes 4, 6, 8, and 10 inches. (By 1934 a 12 inch size was available as well.) Based on the known examples, these early adjustable wrenches were made for Craftsman by the Diamond Calk Horseshoe Company.
By the fall of 1934 Craftsman adjustable wrenches were being illustrated with a double-hex broached hanging hole, a feature that along with other production characteristics identifies the manufacturer as the J.P. Danielson Company. The available sizes at this time were 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches. Danielson continued as the maker of Craftsman adjustable wrenches until at least 1942.
In addition to the Craftsman adjustable wrenches, Sears also offered Merit brand adjustable wrenches. The Merit models generally had similar features and construction, but with a cheaper finish. Examples of Merit wrenches can be seen in the section on Merit Adjustable Wrenches.
Adjustable Wrenches
Craftsman adjustable wrenches were first offered in the 1930 Fall and Winter catalog in sizes 4, 6, 8, and 10 inches. (By 1934 a 12 inch size was available as well.) Based on the known examples, these early adjustable wrenches were made for Craftsman by the Diamond Calk Horseshoe Company.
By the fall of 1934 Craftsman adjustable wrenches were being illustrated with a double-hex broached hanging hole, a feature that along with other production characteristics identifies the manufacturer as the J.P. Danielson Company. The available sizes at this time were 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches. Danielson continued as the maker of Craftsman adjustable wrenches until at least 1942.
In addition to the Craftsman adjustable wrenches, Sears also offered Merit brand adjustable wrenches. The Merit models generally had similar features and construction, but with a cheaper finish. Examples of Merit wrenches can be seen in the section on Merit Adjustable Wrenches.
