Trying to ID a Williams socket set

[bigmike6970]

Hello, I found this set at a thrift store and I think that it is a Williams set. However I have looked at this alloy-artifacts site and did not come across any with the markings that are on the the set I have. Maybe it is too common of a set for them to put up.

Just want to see if I can confirm is these are Williams and possibly from what time period.

they are marked with the w inside the diamond and all of the tools are just Marked with an S and no other model numbers on them.

 

[ganymede]

It is definitely Williams.
Don't know the time frame or why they weren't marked with the company name.
I think they were either an economy line or made for govt.

 

[bigmike6970]

ganymede,

Thanks for the quick reply.
It would be neat if they were made for the government, even just to imagine what they may have been used to work on.

I hope I can find more information on them.

Bigmike

 

[3baygarage]

Great find. I have wondered if they cut back on stamping to save money as well. I assume 30's or 40's time frame though.

 

[bigmike6970]

Thank you 3baygarage and jeremy v

jeremy, Looking I have been reading through that link you provided. I did not see that section when I first looked at the Alloy-Artifacts site.

the sockets that are with the set I have are of the form of the sockets the site indicates are from 1935-1939 with the single deep band, smooth upper and a rough texture from the line down (see pictures) but again with out all of the standard markings on them.
I have also included a picture of the carry box they came in

I gave $35 for the tools, I was trying to get the guy lower. I don't think that I got the deal of the century on them of course but I like the look and feel of them, and now the mystery of why they do not have all the markings makes them more interesting.

BigMike

 

[bigmike6970]

Jeremy you posted,

"If you look at the square drive end of that ratchet you will notice the ratchet cover plate is round, screwed on, and it requires a tool like a pin wrench to turn it. That's classic old Williams."

I checked and it is does have the round cover plate with the 2 places for like a pin wrench/spanner to take it off, I wondered out they got it together since it did not have any screws on it. makes sense now, thanks again.

 

[3baygarage]

Mike, they also created a name called Volume. It is the same 1/2" ratchet as yours. I think I have a few sockets floating around.

Oddly, I don't believe these were cranked out in great volume because they aren't seen all that much.

Alloy artifacts has an example of a 3/8 volume.

 

[ganymede]

Here's an older thread I started when I got one..
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4908969

and another for the insides even though taking one apart is not recommended..

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5877858

 

[bigmike6970]

Thanks again 3baygarage and ganymede for the additional information.

Looks beefy on the inside. Seems like I picked up an interesting set. It all seems to work fine. I am sure at some point I am going to use them to work on something.

Mike.

 

[Derek420]

Breath some life back into them I'd use them or else they become paper weights. Nice set I would have paid that.

 

[bigmike6970]

I plan to use them for sure.