The vintage Blackhawk Thread

[Smokeshow69]

Finally took delivery of the wrench display. About as crusty as you'd expect for $18. Little elbow grease and it cleaned up alright for display. Need to find the stuff to fill it now!

Fresh out of the box. Looking like it was just pulled from an abanoned hardware store.

Little scrubbing and a little oil on the side.
View attachment 1717251

And now the front:
View attachment 1717252

Unfortunately the tool display part has a lot of either overspray or messed up paint, but I dig the patina.

For $18 this is a major you ****! I think if you spend some time on the overspray and cleaning it will look even better. Excellent find!

 

[TexTJ209]

For $18 this is a major you ****! I think if you spend some time on the overspray and cleaning it will look even better. Excellent find!

So I think the "overspray" is maybe the original paint separating or something. It's odd. The decals are clear as day in the "oversprayed" areas, but I know originally this should have been purple. Not sure what's up with it.

The bright green pinstriping pops pretty nicely after a good scrub with an old soaked gray scotchbrite.

I'll definitely be putting more elbow grease into it though. I just always make myself work slow otherwise I end up rushing and screw something original up, ha.

 

[y'sguy]

Finally took delivery of the wrench display. About as crusty as you'd expect for $18. Little elbow grease and it cleaned up alright for display. Need to find the stuff to fill it now!

Fresh out of the box. Looking like it was just pulled from an abanoned hardware store.

Love the artwork and colors on that one Nice find.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Looking like it was just pulled from an abanoned hardware store.

That is an AWESOME "Chief" era merchandiser. I am pretty sure it's the No. 4 cabinet for 920x series pieces.

I know originally this should have been purple.

"Royal purple" to be precise. Are you saying that because you're finding purple? Or because you found it in a catalog. If you look through the 1930, 1931, and even 1935 catalog, it dominated their color schemes in the early "Chief" "Lock-On" period. Purple, black, and yellow, as in the pinstriping. Is it really deep dark purple? Or is it black?

So I think the "overspray" is maybe the original paint separating or something. It's odd.

The catalogs say it was lithographed. I'm not an expert, but I believe what you're seeing could very likely be the results of that.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a TERRIFIC find!

Leaving it "as is" with light clean-up, i.e., what you've been doing, is a great option. Frankly, the only spot that would really bother me would be the rust on the branding on the very bottom. I would work on that very carefully to try to preserve the branding underneath. Cleaned up "as is" it would always have that original, genuine 'just came out of an abandoned hardware store' look you so aptly described that stripped and immaculately refinished cabinets, no matter how perfect and shiny, can never again have. And I bet you might find that when it's loaded up with chromed tools, that weird lithographing deterioration would just fade into the "background."

You could try a stain on that tool display area. Thin or cut your black or dark purple paint with turpentine. Not too much. Not runny. Just short of runny. Just enough to give it an almost stain consistency. Dip a rag into your stain and just wipe it lightly over the area. It may not totally obscure whatever that is, but it would diminish it, making it darker. You may have to do it a few times, building up the stain layer over it. Then, because it's a stain, you would be able to use turpentine and remove it just from the areas over the model numbers. Just an idea.

 

[TexTJ209]

That is an AWESOME "Chief" era merchandiser. I am pretty sure it's the No. 4 cabinet for 920x series pieces.

"Royal purple" to be precise. Are you saying that because you're finding purple? Or because you found it in a catalog. If you look through the 1930, 1931, and even 1935 catalog, it dominated their color schemes in the early "Chief" "Lock-On" period. Purple, black, and yellow, as in the pinstriping. Is it really deep dark purple? Or is it black?

The catalogs say it was lithographed. I'm not an expert, but I believe what you're seeing could very likely be the results of that.

The lithograph thing might be a good explanation. As you can see, the numbering is perfectly visible in the "oversprayed" areas.

And it's a very very dark purple, almost black. It's hard to even tell it's purple except for in a few areas.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It's a fantastic find, TJ. Love that it's midnight purple. VERY unusual. I would do whatever I could to accentuate that in the tools area. As I said, it's really only the model numbers you'd have to worry about. No artwork. And razor blades, carefully, on that crusty rust. I don't think a new mantle for the top would be too hard to do, either. I can't wait to see this thing when you're done with it.

 

[Mintgrun]

I love using razor blades to shave rust. Just be sure there aren't any dings in the blade. I keep a fine sharpening stone (diamond) on hand to keep the edge(s) smooth. You can round-up the corners a little bit, to keep them from digging in.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That's a fantastic find Tex! Now you have the same curse I have with the RotoMat, you've gotta filler her up!

 

[jives]

This came up on CL, I'm interested, but just by the pictures the Blackhawk tool chest does not seem to be as robust as my vintage Snap-on. Thoughts on this box. . . and the $40 price?

So, I went ahead and picked it up for $40. Guy would not budge on price, said he had it for 30 years. It is in perfectly usable condition, albeit I'll fix some rust on a lower edge. The screws in the lower right of the lid are to hold on the locking mechanism guide rail, which snapped free of its spot welds. The key works . . . until I broke it on transport.

My impression is that it is certainly better than the Craftsmen (2000 series) and Husky and similar at Lowes/HD, but not up to my 1940s Snap On of near similar size. The Blackhawk drawers are sloppier, the side handles less robust and covered in surface rust.

Edit:
Refurbished the box. See the Refurbishing Thread.

 

[thehorse13]

So, I went ahead and picked it up for $40. Guy would not budge on price, said he had it for 30 years. It is in perfectly usable condition, albeit I'll fix some rust on a lower edge. The screws in the lower right of the lid are to hold on the locking mechanism guide rail, which snapped free of its spot welds. The key works . . . until I broke it on transport.

My impression is that it is certainly better than the Craftsmen (2000 series) and Husky and similar at Lowes/HD, but not up to my 1940s Snap On of near similar size. The Blackhawk drawers are sloppier, the side handles less robust and covered in surface rust.

Unfortunately, this appears to be a Litton era box which will be not quite up to the quality of pre acquisition Blackhawk boxes.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yup earlier ones were tanks

 

[930dreamer]

Cool find either way.

 

[thehorse13]

In case anyone wants a merchandiser. This one is the same as mine only a little older evidenced by the Indian head on the right door.

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[Oldtuleguy]

That's a nice one

 

[thehorse13]

That's a nice one

Hopefully someone here grabs it and cleans it up. If I didn't have mine already I'd be talking to the seller by now.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If that was in NJ I'd be on the road. That is a VERY friendly price.

 

[don long]

In case anyone wants a merchandiser. This one is the same as mine only a little older evidenced by the Indian head on the right door.

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Mine is he bigger one and i'm having trouble finding the tools for it or I'd be all over that one

 

[thehorse13]

Mine is he bigger one and i'm having trouble finding the tools for it or I'd be all over that one

I am running into the same issue with my smaller merchandiser as well. I know that I'm not imagining things but the tools that belong in these cabinets were cheap and plentiful just a few years back. Ah well. lol

 

[thehorse13]

I didn't need another one of these, but there was no way I was leaving one behind. All original paint and decal. The Nuggets and ratchet are just extras that I have laying around waiting for a box to complete a set.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Holy peacepipe, that might be the cleanest box and the mintiest inside decal I have seen yet!

 

[930dreamer]

Blackhawk frame straightening setup, NOT MINE on Fb mp for $800 in Kansas.

 

[thehorse13]

Holy peacepipe, that might be the cleanest box and the mintiest inside decal I have seen yet!

I was shocked when I opened it for the first time. I've never seen such a clean example in all the years I've been chasing old Blackhawk tools. It's absolutely 100% original though, and there was no way I was leaving this behind once the guy showed it to me.

Whenever I go to yard sales I always ask if they have any old toolboxes or tools for sale that are not out on the sale tables. This is one of those extremely rare times when I struck gold by asking.

The box was bought as part of a house clean-out auction lot and these people simply flip whatever they come across. They buy wholesale lots and then do yard sales, fleas, festivals, because they refuse to be bled by online platforms.

The only info I got from them was that the house where this box came from was really old and was sitting for decades before the new owners bought it and had to do a full gut and replace. The contents were sold in large lots and the auction was in Pennsylvania.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Wow, that came from a garage sale. Excellent condition as well!

 

[don long]

nice grab horse. Pretty fine box

 

[joshotto94]

In case anyone wants a merchandiser. This one is the same as mine only a little older evidenced by the Indian head on the right door.

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Nevermind, i found it and i just sent him a message Thanks

 

[thehorse13]

Nevermind, i found it and i just sent him a message Thanks

From what I have been told, he is a cash and carry guy so he doesn't want to ship it. Of course he may have changed his mind by now given that it's still for sale.

 

[joshotto94]

From what I have been told, he is a cash and carry guy so he doesn't want to ship it. Of course he may have changed his mind by now given that it's still for sale.

I sent him $100 and when someone pics it up he will get the rest of the money. So we shall see what happens next

 

[thehorse13]

I sent him $100 and when someone pics it up he will get the rest of the money. So we shall see what happens next

Congrats on grabbing that little gem. Once you get it home and cleaned up, please post up some pictures here.

 

[Alienbaby17]

Here’s something I came across about a month ago. It appeared in the “out of area” listings on FBMP. It had been marked down from $50 to $15 after sitting without any bites for a month. I’d been watching it the whole time.

Unfortunately it was over an hour away and I couldn’t quite justify the trip down just to go get it. I finally messaged the seller and asked if he ever got up into my neck of the woods. He replied that he would be bringing some furniture up for his daughter in a few weeks and agreed to bring it along with him. Perfect. After a month of waiting I’d almost entirely forgotten about it. Something reminded me and I messaged to check in. He said he was still planning on coming and mentioned he’d found some tools to go with it and would thrown them in for another $15. I happily agreed. A few days later they were mine.

One of the coolest things was a pair of old Blackhawk pamphlets that were inside the box.

This was my first Blackhawk purchase. I just couldn’t go on letting the rest of you have all the fun.

 

[thehorse13]

Here’s something I came across about a month ago. It appeared in the “out of area” listings on FBMP. It had been marked down from $50 to $15 after sitting without any bites for a month. I’d been watching it the whole time.

Unfortunately it was over an hour away and I couldn’t quite justify the trip down just to go get it. I finally messaged the seller and asked if he ever got up into my neck of the woods. He replied that he would be bringing some furniture up for his daughter in a few weeks and agreed to bring it along with him. Perfect. After a month of waiting I’d almost entirely forgotten about it. Something reminded me and I messaged to check in. He said he was still planning on coming and mentioned he’d found some tools to go with it and would thrown them in for another $15. I happily agreed. A few days later they were mine.

One of the coolest things was a pair of old Blackhawk pamphlets that were inside the box.

This was my first Blackhawk purchase. I just couldn’t go on letting the rest of you have all the fun.

You've made one hell of an entry into the Blackhawk section. Outstanding pick up! (yes, you ****)

 

[bmwrd0]

First of all, I would drive an hour for that at $50. Second, getting it delivered for $15, with tools, puts you on another level.

Well done!

 

[Shelbylex]

Congratulations, Alienbaby!!! It's like winning a lottery! And the contents!!!!! This is probably one of the best deals this year!!!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Great nuggets grab!

 

[930dreamer]

Great find and enjoy.

 

[joshotto94]

Great find on FB marketplace the other day. I am amazed at how nice this box is as well as how heavy it is. $65 bucks plus $20 delivery the finds are still out there. Not For Sale

 

[joshotto94]

Also snagged the 1926 box from a previous post gonna clean it up soon but enjoy for now

 

[joshotto94]

Last post for now, I may have one of these tombstone boxes for sale soon. I will have two when this one arrives. If you are in the market for one send me a message and we can discuss, I do not have a price or anything like that yet. I am very anxious to see if that key wired in the photo works on the box. I was told it says Blackhawk on it so I am feeling pretty good about it. Stay tuned.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

One of the coolest things was a pair of old Blackhawk pamphlets that were inside the box.

The "Hexite" marketing has always cracked me up. The communications department had a hard time quantifying the advantage.

- The 1939 Catalog (No. 239), page 6, said that "Hexite's strength (70% stronger than chrome vanadium) permits Nuggets to be made light, slim, and small."
- The same catalog, page 7, said that "Although 33-1/3% smaller - Hexite has the same strength as Chrome Vanadium."
- A 1940 Motor Age (Vol. 60, page 69) ad was consistent with page 7, saying that Hexite "equals the strength of Chrome Vanadium wrenches, and yet are 33-1/3% smaller."
- A 1941 Aero Digest (Vol. 138, page 175) ad called Hexite "50% stronger than Chrome Vanadium."

(Hexite steel and the Nuggets disappeared during WWII for two different but related reasons. Hexite's recipe was too rich for the WPB alloy's restrictions. Even if that wasn't the case, the Nuggets were banned because they were, ironically, redundant to 3/8- and 1/2-inch drive sockets.)

- A 1945 Aviation magazine (Vol. 44, page 288) ad called Hexite "33-1/3% stronger than regular high-grade wrench alloy steel."

It was so "magical" (numerous ads), its properties apparently defied mathematical consistency.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This was my first Blackhawk purchase.

That plate on the lid just above the latch is factory. It was for owner's ID.