The Lugzsonian - A Virtual Tour

[Private Lugnutz]

Here are a couple complete models we found on the web. The first one has obviously been refinished back to fake brand new. No "character" in our opinion. Regulars already know we would not dream of stripping and painting this, even if we had all the parts, and if we somehow managed to find the missing replacement parts and they were mint, we would undoubtedly distress and age them to match the junkyard look of the body, anyway. The second one looks original. Both show what a complete truck looks like. We are kind of digging the OD green grille and matching OD green toolbox.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

We are not rabid shears or scissors collectors, per se, but we do like them if they're ornate or really old or just unusual. Take this one the Acquisitions Dept found this morning at the flea, for example.

The first thing that caught his eye was how robust (short, yet thick) they were. 'We can never have enough good shears around here,' he thought. But it was the second thing that caught his eye - that spring steel clip laced under the head of the screw and anchored in a recess - that incisively convinced him to buy them.



The "Reliance" behind the pivot is the brand name. The "Compton" refers to W.H. Compton in Newark, NJ.



Where else?! You'd think that Wiss, also located in Newark, would've crowded all the others out of the market, but Newark was the center for almost a dozen different manufacturers of shears, scissors, and razors, among many other tools, of course, and I have found records indicating that Compton was supplying the US Army Signal Corps with "Reliance" shears as far back as 1912.



The "U-SET" is a secondary branding that refers to that aforementioned nut lock on the pivot joint, as does the "PAT'D 1938" marking. The patent, No. 2,108,654, belonged to Charles J. Dalley, Compton's long-time assignor. The mechanism allows users to set the tension and prevents the nut from loosening with the ********** action. Kind of cool.



As a bonus, in the process of doing our research, the Curator found a nice on-line reference, by Philip R. Pankiewicz, that may come in handy in identifying a couple other oldies we have around here as well as future finds.



W.H. Compton, including the "U-SET", is covered on page 129. Link here.

 

[Username already in use]

Those are neat. Nice find.

We are not rabid shears or scissors collectors…

For some reason, it took me a couple of reads to get that you’re talking about the Curator and the Acquisitions Dept.

I’ve picked up a few pair over the years that struck my fancy as well. I think @Outlawmws may have his own little collection going also.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yeah, odd we don't have a thread. Pruning shears. But not plain old scissors and regular shears.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

In scrutinizing my Wyandotte vs the two photos, I am noticing a few differences. The bumper and grille are the same, but mine has two long slots in the bed, whereas the Searchlight trucks do not. Mine also has holes for something on the roof. I'm starting to think it's a Wrecker instead. That would be easier to find than the searchlight and toolbox. Here's one for sale (for $120!) on ePrey, with a horribly homemade grille and headlamps, but you can see what I mean about the wrecker attachment. EDIT: Or it might be a Stakebed. The possibilities are apparently endless!

 

[Outlawmws]

I think @Outlawmws may have his own little collection going also.

Who? Me?

Yeah.. a few...

 

[Mintgrun]

The "U-SET" is a secondary branding that refers to that aforementioned nut lock on the pivot joint, as does the "PAT'D 1938" marking.

Thank you for all the research. I've got a pair that's similar, but slightly longer. I love those scissors. Why do you suppose this pair has a 1941 patent date?



I snapped a little group shot today, showing a pair above those that have similar proportions. I used to use the top ones a lot, until I found the Comptons. Now they're the ones I choose.



The smaller ones reminded me of the pair you brought home, so I included them. The Klien pair on top is slightly larger than the Lifedge Italian pair below them, but that doesn't show well, due to varying distance from the camera. I am looking forward to participating in the scissor thread you inspired today.

 

[Modern Garage]

I'm liking the Wyandotte, and I don't think the homemade grille and headlight assy is bad at all - that's hot rodding!
But the real question is, can you get an LS in there?
Joe

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Why do you suppose this pair has a 1941 patent date?

He improved it somehow. I have not read the patent, but it's 2,251,548.

I've got a pair that's similar, but slightly longer. I love those scissors.

I'm glad you posted. Looking at yours reminded me to mention that a PO grinded down all the "excess" steel on the outside of both finger rings (before yesterday I would've said "handles").



He may have thought he was improving the ergonomic fit, but even as a novice I'm guessing that characteristic cutlass-like flaring on the outside of finger rings was as much function as form. Either way, it has less flair now, too, sadly. I look forward to learning more esoteric terminology and exploring the history of scissors and shears making on 4.c new thread.

I am looking forward to participating in the scissor thread you inspired today.

As I told 4.c in a PM when he notified me that he had started one, I'll have to do some huntin' and gatherin' before I can participate.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...that's hot rodding!

Funny you should mention that. I have half-jokingly thought that if I can't find the right parts, I could just frankenstein anything I want onto this thing. Go full Mad Max on it.

But the real question is, can you get an LS in there?

Snerk.

 

[555]

I rebuilt some 50's era Tonka trucks a while back. I straightened some parts, replaced a few parts and cleaned them up. I got the needed parts from Gasoline Alley Toys. There may have something you can use to bring your great little truck back to life. https://www.gasolinealleytoys.com/

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, Fives! That's just the kind of tip I've been hoping for.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

 

[Private Lugnutz]

One guess what one of my sons got me for Christmas!

 

[Smokeshow69]

One guess what one of my sons got me for Christmas!

I can’t tell if it’s Ford or Willy’s/bantam because you didn’t finish that section yet. Can’t see if the cross bar is round

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I had to snerk when I opened it. I always preferred no markings, and especially no unit markings of any kind, so it just figures that not only does it have markings, it's an 82nd Airborne jeep, the most overrepresented jeep marking there is. There are more jeeps with 82nd Airborne markings driving around now then there were jeeps issued to the 82nd Airborne!

I had to move it from the dining room table to a folding tv stand to make space for family board game madness. So I hope nobody is timing me.

 

[Outlawmws]

Clock Started NOW! (1:47 PST)

Awesome Puzzle and box Lugz!

 

[Half-fast eddie]

And more than 20 pieces! Apparently they don’t think you’re ready for ”the home“ yet.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And more than 20 pieces! Apparently they don’t think you’re ready for ”the home“ yet.

Too funny! I was just kidding him. 500 pieces! Between my eyesight, my fingers, and my patience, it's going to be a challenge. And he should know better. We are a big card playing family. My kids like to play Gin Rummy. They just broke out a "Christmas Story" deck for a game the other day and I couldn't see what they were laying down in front of them! I had to get a Senior Citizen deck.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Who in their right mind would send us an empty small gray steel box as a Christmas present? And what the heck are we going to do with it? Oh, wait a minute. It has a big "U.S." stamped on it. Hmm. Just under that, "U.S. Fingerprint Prod." Wethinks the powders and brushes and other parts were kept in the main compartment, and the transfer pads in that lid pocket. Lo and behold, this WWII dusting kit we just happen to have fits rather nicely inside! And, upon closer inspection, it sure looks like it was originally OD green under that ocean grey!

 

[four.cycle]

ha! I never noticed that... I assumed it might have been USN stuff from the gray color!

 

[gpw_42]

...Either way, it has less flair now, too, sadly...

Have to wonder what was the application for the PO to grind off the flair on the finger loops. Doesn't make much sense to me, at this point, but seems s/he was going for rapid and/or easy access?

Here's a "high flair" variant



Come to think of it, that's probably a "high drama" variant, too...but I'd sure like to find out!

 

[83VillageRepair]

Everything looks better with a nice coat of haze gray, or deck gray or machinery gray ...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Indeed, a very popular repaint color.

 

[555]

Who in their right mind would send us an empty small gray steel box as a Christmas present? And what the heck are we going to do with it? Oh, wait a minute. It has a big "U.S." stamped on it. Hmm. Just under that, "U.S. Fingerprint Prod." Wethinks the powders and brushes and other parts were kept in the main compartment, and the transfer pads in that lid pocket. Lo and behold, this WWII dusting kit we just happen to have fits rather nicely inside! And, upon closer inspection, it sure looks like it was originally OD green under that ocean grey!

When I went back on active duty in 1982 I was attached to a composite unit with a classified mission. All the unit members were required to have security clearances regardless of position/rank. We had a finger print case exactly like your case. It even had the gray paint. I have no idea if it was the original kit case or something someone recycled. The finger print cards were kept in the lid pocket and the ink pad/rollers in the main compartment.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Go figure! Good to know my intuition on its layout was good. I suspected it was postwar, I didn't think it would be that late, though. Maybe the green was just a primer. You want to keep mementos in it, let me know, I'll 'Mail' it Forward.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The Acquisitions Dept got rained out at the flea this morning and he's been in the Curator's way all morning with his nervous unspent energy, so the Curator stalked off to think about some of yesterday's finds, leading to this short soliloquy on Mossberg.

Best known for very early, iconic, pressed-steel socket sets in wood boxes, which we have a thread for here, and for their mass production of early tools aimed at Ford vehicles, some examples on this board here, they're not nearly as well-known for their later production, after the industry got pushed into hot-forged sockets, which we have some examples of here, or for their early production after their merger with the Automotive Parts Company (APCO), such as these excellent single offset DBE's, shown here.

But they're far less known for their wartime production, which AA doesn't even mention, ending their history section on Mossberg with a blurb on APCO-Mossberg's reputation as makers of torque-related products in their twilight years.

During WWII (and based on some of the markings and construction, probably Interwar and prewar and brought into service from old stock), Mossberg was a major supplier of spark plug wrenches (as in sh*tloads of them, and, harkening back to their roots, all pressed-steel!) and various 1/2-drive bars and handles to the US Army QMC and Ordnance Dept. The latter were forged, but crudely.

That's right, in an era when 600-lb gorillas like Plomb, Snap-on, Williams, and Blackhawk were just flexing their military production muscles, quirky old Mossberg was still out back in the blacksmith shed turning out extensions like these - often with just their Diamond-M logo and the wartime Federal Stock Numbers!



They're not that commonly found, but we've got a few in the stockroom!

 

[four.cycle]

^ interesting that a speeder is a "handle" and a ratchet is a "handle" and a lady's foot pry bar is a "bar" and a 1/2" drive 3-inch extension is a "bar"..... good thing they assigned numbers to them so you differentiate between them!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

One of the profound pleasures of wartime military collecting research was being immersed in esoteric Federal Standard Strock Catalog nomenclature! All hand tools were in Class 41. But the numerical suffixes (e.g., -307) were not much help without knowing the phonetic category (e.g., "B" for "Bar") that 1/2-inch drive extensions would be found in. There are several other quirks, but we will cease and desist right there, because we are preparing another foray prompted by a couple of yesterday's finds, this one re-visiting, briefly, an erratum, on Curator's Corner #9 and the open end ratcheting wrench study.

 

[Mintgrun]

The timing of this morning's post is funny, because yesterday I clicked on this link Don posted that took me to a tool set he sold which included a Mossberg speeder like one I have (and it happens to be at the top of the list).

https://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?p=1358455#p1358455 (I don't know how to make the word "this" become the link. That is a slick trick).

It doesn't match the image on the page above, showing 41 - H - 1508 with a knurled handle. Did Mossberg make knurled handled speeders, or did other makers fill that slot in the kit, or were the images simply inaccurate? Just curious.



I think the ratchet and L-handle are the only other Mossberg tools I've come across.



Tom

 

[Private Lugnutz]

(I don't know how to make the word "this" become the link. That is a slick trick).

EDIT: Really having a hard time explaining it without it becoming a hyperlink, Tom. Sorry. I'll keep trying. Check back.

It doesn't match the image on the page above, showing 41 - H - 1508 with a knurled handle. Did Mossberg make knurled handled speeders, or did other makers fill that slot in the kit, or were the images simply inaccurate? Just curious.

Not all of the tools in that figure were provided by Mossberg, not even all the 1/2-inch drive tools. The hinge handle is OTC, for example, and the ratchet is New Britain. Wartime "GMTK's" were sourced from various suppliers, and the figures provided by the Ordnance Dept's Raritan Arsenal Publications Dept (RAPD) for manuals, including the GMTK manual, reflected that miscellaneous approach. Having said that, it is unknown whether that was intentional or haphazard of them. No one single OEM could provide all the tools in a GMTK, but the ORD could certainly populate a GMTK tool-set with most of the 1/2-inch drive tools from the same supplier (e.g., Duro, etc). The L-handle being a special and notable exception. Almost all of them likely came from Mossberg and Armstrong. That differs from modern GMTK's, which do come from only one or two conglomerate sources.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Tom...

I'm sure there is an easier way, but I am old school!

 

[RTM]

The way to make a single word link is to tap highlight the word THIS, then tap or click the two chink links left of the add a picture icon. A box will pop up, with THIS in the lower box. Paste your link in the upper box.

Should end up like THIS link, if it wasn’t acting up for me. Should have done the one above, not added it below

THIS

 

[d42jeep]

A couple of Mossberg speeders.
-Don

 

[gearhead1960]

(I don't know how to make the word "this" become the link. That is a slick trick).

@Mintgrun What you need to do is:

1. Copy URL you want to link
2. Type in word, in your case "this" where you want link to be.
3. Highlight "this" and then left click on diagonal paper clip or infinity symbol above in header for your response.
4. Paste URL into appropriate box from drop down when left clicking on symbol described in step 3. Click "Insert".
5. To test if it worked, hold down CTRL key, left click on "this". You should have a new page open up to "link".

@RTM you beat me to the tutorial.....

 

[Private Lugnutz]

@Mintgrun

To return to your question, briefly, because I really don't want to do a GMTK deep dive here, the "GMTK" went through a series of changes between 1938 and 1945, articulated in several different manuals, an evolution I have documented in excruciating detail that ended up in guides and cheat sheets in what sometimes seems like another life it was so long ago now. One of the unfortunate drawbacks of having RAPD figures is some collectors taking them too literally. Speeders are a great example.

Here is a box of wartime 1/2-inch drive speeders I have. (Ignore the Blackhawk with the doorknob at the very top, which has a fixed socket on the end of it.) They are all bonafide WWII. I can't give them away! Why? Because they look odd and not like the RAPD figures. And because most guys I have sold GMTK tools or entire sets to like to brand match.



These are the Williams from that box. Gorgeous speeders with a big Diamond-W logo on the end of those knurled doorknob caps and impeccable, superior wartime provenance. But not very popular in a GMTK.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's the subject we wanted to get back to earlier today.

When we did Curator's Corner #9 a few months ago, linked here, we gave short-shrift to Snap-on, showing the early Simplex wrenches that Motor Tool Specialty was advertising alongside the in-house brands in the Second Wave section here...,



...dismissing the later Flank-Drive and dissing its historically blind and presumptuous claims...

The most we will say about that (patented in 1966, not TM’ed as a term until 1980, first commercial use in 1967) and all its iterations is that Snap-on’s marketing claim - to having “created a tool the industry had never seen before”, phraseology that they are still using today, is ******** only true of socket wrenches.

But we screwed up by even allowing ourselves to be distracted by Flank Drive, which is a milling that was always more about equal torque and not rounding off a nut anyway.

Between the late 1920's Simplex wrenches and the 1967 Flank Drive wrenches, we completely ignored the fact that Snap-on was making and selling what they were calling "Ratcheting Open End" wrenches.

The Acquisitions Dept found one yesterday, as well as a Simplex variant we did not have.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Which is what prompted this re-visit.

As far as we have been able to determine, the Snap-on ROE's were first introduced in 1948, and given part numbers with an RS- prefix.



By 1953, they were down to making four (4) of them, and they made them in those sizes through 1970.



In 1971, they started offering ONLY the smallest one in a handsome black oxide "Industrial" finish, they gave it a different prefix, and it was available until at least 1983. Oddly. Not sure why they didn't offer them all in that finish, but the catalogs are persistent and consistent on that.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What we have been unable to determine is the patent Snap-on was using for these wrenches, if any. Unlike many other inventions they proudly proclaimed and protected, they don't seem to have done so for these. If you recall, one of the themes of our Curator's Corner, was the interesting linkages between the patents via the "duty of candor" practice of patent citations as "prior art." We're curious where this design came from, frankly, and where it fits.


If you look at the figure at the lower right in the chart, used only to be representative of the type of wrench the chart was timelining, it might be quite the coincidental choice that it's the patent (Miquelon) that most closely resembles the Snap-on ROE series!



We're not saying it is. But it's interesting.

More to come in 2023 perhaps.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As the last hours of the last day of the year winds down, as we take stock, and as our minds turn to reflection with the last of the WXPN 88.5 FM Best of 2022 playlist in the background and the din of our guests' voices celebrating the coming new year upstairs in the Curator's quarters here at the Lugzsonian this evening rise to be heard above the music, we slipped away with a foamy cold one and tried a little exercise: our Top 10 Picks of the Year.

Why 10? Well, it seems like all these lists always number 10 and, conveniently, that's how many thumbnails the site software allows! All judging was done by the Curator and the Acquisitions Dept in c̶o̶n̶g̶e̶n̶i̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶c̶o̶m̶b̶a̶t̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶q̶u̶a̶r̶r̶e̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ collaboration, with the Curator's Wife occasionally breaking a few stalemates. (It did not escape our notice that gaining another grandson in 2022 may have influenced our sentiments!)

This was no easy task if we do say so ourselves!

While we're still on our feet and nimble of mind and fingers - Happy New Year, GJ Friends!

(1) Ca. 1930's unmarked leather tool bag, (2) ca. 1918 Wiggy, (3) 1930's Mack Truck wrench (made by Bonney), (4) 1920's Billings & Spencer No. 50 set, (5) 1930's STANLO set, (6) 1940's Holgate jeep pull toy, (7) 1934 World's Fair Templeton-Kenly baby jack souvenir, (8) 1950's Colonial "Ranger" boys' pocket knife, (9) 1930's Wyandotte toy truck, and (10) the ca. 1880's No. 2 and No. 4 Colt Patent quick clamps, shown with the No. 1 we already had.