The vintage Blackhawk Thread

[outofbounds]

The box is obviously from the Litton-New Britain era and I assume the tools probably are too.


I'd say yes to New Britain era prior to Litton sale. I have an identical breaker bar branded as New Britain

 

[Mintgrun]

That does look like mine. Thank you for posting the photo.

I did a little homework using the New Britain Wiki page and learned that they acquired Blackhawk in 1955. Litton stepped into the picture in 1972, staying until the closure in 1990. So my box was made somewhere between '72 - '90.

I suppose the tools could be earlier, but suspect they came with the box as part of a kit.

New Britain sure gobbled up a lot of other tool companies!

 

[3baygarage]

Haha I do, OTG. It seems there are at least two versions. Yours is slightly different, with the markings on the beam, instead of around the handle.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Well now I just feel bad having deprived you of both versions!

 

[OneDollarSaab]

I finally picked up a Blackhawk 69967 to complete my ratchet adapter set. Turns out it was cheap because it's a much older design than the smaller ones I have. Dual pawl, but single tooth engagement, and very coarse (26 teeth). I'm wondering if newer 69967 ratchet adapters have a different internal pawl design.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That is an actual blackhawk version, circa 1941. Your others look like later new britain versions.

 

[OneDollarSaab]

That is an actual blackhawk version, circa 1941. Your others look like later new britain versions.

Yes, one of them is actually branded New Britain NS-12, but the 3/8" and 1/4" at least say Blackhawk on them.

 

[Username already in use]

Right, what Oldtuleguy is saying is that the mechanism is likely different because Blackhawk was absorbed by New Britain.
Edit to add, that's a nice grouping of adapters regardless of the era.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The new britain ratchet is an excellent tool! Blackhawk really only existed in name after the buyout.

 

[r_olson_06]

I think this is a Blackhawk offset handle. Has a part number of 110 which seems to fall in line with the labeling system of Blackhawk. Also came with an arrowhead socket.

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think this is a Blackhawk offset handle. Has a part number of 110 which seems to fall in line with the labeling system of Blackhawk. Also came with an arrowhead socket.

What do you mean by "came with", Roy? Is the arrowhead socket fixed on the end somehow (i.e., either press fit or welded)? Or is it detachable? The Blackhawk offset wrenches (just like that, with a loop handle) ran from Model No. 1114 (7/16") to 1128 (7/8"). And the Q.D. offset for detachable sockets had a hammerhead end, like a sliding tee that doesn't slide.

EDIT: Whoa! whoa! whoa! I think you may have found something very cool there. The Q.D. offset for detachable sockets was Model No. 110! But again, it was basically a bar with a fixed hammerhead end with a 90* drive stud. I traded my last Q.D. set to Todd, but I will look for pics on my hard drive. Essentially, what I think you have found is a a very early 1st generation Q.D. 110. A transitional design, between the fixed offset socket wrenches, that looked exactly like what you have but with the different size sockets welded on the end, and the Q.D. 110 we are used to seeing (the bar with the hammerhead 90* drive stud). Very cool! It would have to be like 1918 or 1919. I have NEVER seen one in a catalog. You version of the offset handle is NOT in the 1919 catalog or the 1926 catalog.

I hope you can follow that. I'm going out to dinner but I will post catalog excerpts and pics to go along with what I am saying above later.

 

[r_olson_06]

What do you mean by "came with", Roy? Is the arrowhead socket fixed on the end somehow (i.e., either press fit or welded)? Or is it detachable? The Blackhawk offset wrenches (just like that, with a loop handle) ran from Model No. 1114 (7/16") to 1128 (7/8"). And the Q.D. offset for detachable sockets had a hammerhead end, like a sliding tee that doesn't slide.

EDIT: Whoa! whoa! whoa! I think you may have found something very cool there. The Q.D. offset for detachable sockets was Model No. 110! But again, it was basically a bar with a fixed hammerhead end with a 90* drive stud. I traded my last Q.D. set to Todd, but I will look for pics on my hard drive. Essentially, what I think you have found is a a very early 1st generation Q.D. 110. A transitional design, between the fixed offset socket wrenches, that looked exactly like what you have but with the different size sockets welded on the end, and the Q.D. 110 we are used to seeing (the bar with the hammerhead 90* drive stud). Very cool! It would have to be like 1918 or 1919. I have NEVER seen one in a catalog. You version of the offset handle is NOT in the 1919 catalog or the 1926 catalog.

I hope you can follow that. I'm going out to dinner but I will post catalog excerpts and pics to go along with what I am saying above later.

Sorry yes the socket came with but is detachable. Too bad the rest of the set wasn't there.

Thanks for drumming up the research!

It's off I cannot find a Blackhawk stamp unless it's worn away.

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

 

[3baygarage]

Nice find. Definitely a 110. See post 1541 and 1542.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7917438&postcount=1541

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7917441&postcount=1542

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, 3bay. I missed your example earlier. And I missed it in the 1926 catalog. It had to have been introduced before that. They were making the Q.D. 110X then. A very interesting precursor! EDIT: Unless I am missing it, it's not in the 1919 catalog.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Snapon had an almost identical version up to 1922 or so.

 

[Provincial]

Blackhawk 49983 1/2 drive 5" extension. Love the rotating sleeve! Also, the release button.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a nice find.

 

[Blackhawkhunter1953]

Looking for a few pieces to finish out a 7/16 drive nugget bullet handle set

 

[Shelbylex]

Welcome, Blackhawkhunter. Please post the pictures of what you have and put a note in wanted thread for the pieces you need

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice to have another blackhawk collector on the forum. Here is a 38cb set I have been adding to.

 

[CRTDI]

Nice looking set...

 

[Shelbylex]

Nice to have another blackhawk collector on the forum. Here is a 38cb set I have been adding to.

Very nice, Oldtuleguy. I wish I could find some Blackhawk in the wild!!!

 

[r_olson_06]

Nice to have another blackhawk collector on the forum. Here is a 38cb set I have been adding to.

Very nice!

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

 

[freudianfloyd]

Picked this up today from a yardsale, actually my wife picked it up for me.
I have never seen one in person before, but knew what it was from sticking out at the bottom of the picture in the ad. Most people probably had no idea what it was at the yardsale.
View media item 106027View media item 106028
Its in pretty good shape minus the missing handle. Not sure if I want to repaint it, ir leave it as is.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Great snag Floyd!

 

[thehorse13]

Picked this up today from a yardsale, actually my wife picked it up for me.
I have never seen one in person before, but knew what it was from sticking out at the bottom of the picture in the ad. Most people probably had no idea what it was at the yardsale.
View media item 106027View media item 106028
Its in pretty good shape minus the missing handle. Not sure if I want to repaint it, ir leave it as is.

I'd clean this up and leave it alone. Finding a handle may prove to be a chore but you have a real deal bomb box now. Welcome to the club!

 

[freudianfloyd]

I'd clean this up and leave it alone. Finding a handle may prove to be a chore but you have a real deal bomb box now. Welcome to the club!

I have been debating on it since I got it whether to restore it or leave it as is. Right now it just doesn't have that "look at me" factor that I would like it to have, so I am undecided.

Does anybody happen to know where new decals can be found? I found a set on Ebay for Nugget wrenches, but not for this box.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'd clean this up and leave it alone.

The few and sporadic rusty blemishes will bother you far less once you clean that up with some penetrating oil and 0000 steel wool. And the gloss on the outside will come right up with paste wax after that.

If it's cancerous corrosion, which it doesn't look to be from here, and you're worried about it spreading, you could remove the rust by taking some pieces of rag or paper towels moist with Evaporust and tape them over the rust spots with masking tape. Keep them wet, but not sopping/dripping wet and wipe off any drips. Do that for half a day. Note though that then you'll have bare steel spots. I would not recommend touching those up, because spots of a different shade of red will look much worse than blemishes.

EDIT: apologies if too intrusive/presumptuous.

 

[thehorse13]

The few and sporadic rusty blemishes will bother you far less once you clean that up with some penetrating oil and 0000 steel wool. And the gloss on the outside will come right up with paste wax after that.

If it's cancerous corrosion, which it doesn't look to be from here, and you're worried about it spreading, you could remove the rust by taking some pieces of rag or paper towels moist with Evaporust and tape them over the rust spots with masking tape. Keep them wet, but not sopping/dripping wet and wipe off any drips. Do that for half a day. Note though that then you'll have bare steel spots. I would not recommend touching those up, because spots of a different shade of red will look much worse than blemishes.

EDIT: apologies if too intrusive/presumptuous.

You've done the hard work for me Lugz. I was going to recommend the same things but didn't have time earlier to go into detail.

OP, if you look around Ebay for long enough, the decals for this box do appear every so often. You may even get lucky at some point and source a handle off a demolished box. Those auctions do come around as well.

 

[freudianfloyd]

The few and sporadic rusty blemishes will bother you far less once you clean that up with some penetrating oil and 0000 steel wool. And the gloss on the outside will come right up with paste wax after that.

If it's cancerous corrosion, which it doesn't look to be from here, and you're worried about it spreading, you could remove the rust by taking some pieces of rag or paper towels moist with Evaporust and tape them over the rust spots with masking tape. Keep them wet, but not sopping/dripping wet and wipe off any drips. Do that for half a day. Note though that then you'll have bare steel spots. I would not recommend touching those up, because spots of a different shade of red will look much worse than blemishes.

EDIT: apologies if too intrusive/presumptuous.

No reason to apologize. I have nothing to lose in trying what you suggest, I'm not skilled in the ways of bringing old paint back to life, so this is very helpful. If I still don't like it, then I can always go the restoration route. Luckily the rust is all just on the surface so steel wool ought to clean it up pretty good. I will have to pick up some paste wax.

 

[freudianfloyd]

You've done the hard work for me Lugz. I was going to recommend the same things but didn't have time earlier to go into detail.

OP, if you look around Ebay for long enough, the decals for this box do appear every so often. You may even get lucky at some point and source a handle off a demolished box. Those auctions do come around as well.

I will have to keep an eye out. If i really can't get an original, there is nothing saying I can't make one on the CNC here at work, as close as I can get anyway working from pictures.

 

[y'sguy]

Nice catch!

 

[CRTDI]

A couple of 1/4" drive Blackhawk 16ND sets:

 

[Shelbylex]

Nice!

 

[y'sguy]

Beautiful stuff there, CRTDI!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Blackhawk sure did corner the market on style back in it's day. Beautiful sets there CRTDI

 

[r_olson_06]

Picked this up today at a garage sale. 7/16" drive bullet freewheel ratchet.

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Great sets crtdi! Nice ratchet roy! I would hit you up for that one but I already have it.

 

[r_olson_06]

Great sets crtdi! Nice ratchet roy! I would hit you up for that one but I already have it.

The guy had a speedball (39977) as well but I could bring myself to buy it.

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I am guessing he wanted some $$ for that.