Unopened Plvmb box

[jabberwoki]

Got this today, just amazing it`s unopened.

 

[rusty65]

Pretty neat. Now what’s inside?


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[3baygarage]

Labeled Plumb Tools. Neat.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

You hate to open it, but the curiosity might be too much!

 

[disston]

You have got to open it now. NOW. We can't wait forever.

We will hunt you down if the open box pictures aren't forth coming.

 

[jabberwoki]

Well that burden won`t fall on me, it`s a gift for a mate.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

New tools or NOS?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Tool tease

 

[disston]

I have known women like this thread.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

There will apparently be no satisfaction

 

[oldmantaylor]

Most of the ones I've seen like that are WF-** sockets.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

jabberwoki,

That's a nice find - and a mighty fine gift for a friend!

In case you didn't realize it, W535-AC-26577 is a WWII US Army Air Corps contract number. Plomb had seven (7) total contracts with the Air Corps between 1941 and 1945. I will look it up for you later tonight and you can pass the information (exact dates and total contract value) on to your friend if you want. Historical touch points like that add to the allure of a NOS box, in my opinion.

I will second Jim's opinion that it most likely contains WF- tools. I've had a few of them over the years, gone now in trades. (I've never seen one with the "Plumb" mistake by their cardboard box supplier, though! Given the infamous long-standing duel between the two company founders and the eventual resolution, that mistake makes your box even more entertaining, special and valuable!)

Based on the length of the box, my guess is handles of some kind, perhaps WF-9 sliding tees. Sockets came in dozens but in a box that was more square.

See thumbnails for some photos of a lot of US Army Air Corps 9/32-inch drive stuff I picked up awhile back, from mixed mfgrs (Williams, Snap-On, Hinsdale), including a bunch of sealed NOS Plomb boxes. The one depicted had WF-11 (1/4" service opening) sockets in it as I recall. They're neat to have as conversation pieces among collectors, but, ya know, what are you really going to do with a dozen sockets all the same size except admire them and the history attached to them? I suppose one could sell them one at a time to guys that need them to fill holes, but that always seemed distasteful to me, personally.

 

[Ryan]

I'd open the **** out of that box!

Super cool.

 

[930dreamer]

WOW, did you get my address correct.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

When can I expect this in the mail, Jabber?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think we all want to be your friend!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

jabber,

That box is from Plomb's second largest contract with the US Army Air Corps, valued at $3.197M, which ran from March 1942 to November 1943. You can see it about half way down the list in the attached excerpt.

 

[B.Boru]

''''

 

[twertsy]

Damn Steve, that's a pretty cool find. I have some Bonney boxes like that but have never ran across a Plomb version.

 

[ryan20021982]

New tools or NOS?

You think they make new tools still?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

If only

 

[jabberwoki]

Thanks Lugnuts that's great info.
I`ll make sure Tony gets a link to this post .

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No prob, jabber. Glad to help. You see what I mean about the length of your box compared to some of the boxes I have had that contained WF sockets?

 

[ddawg16]

Maybe it's 'just a box'???????????????

 

[jabberwoki]

Well the box is 4 1/2 inches long.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm not at home, but that sounds about right for WF-9 sliding tees. I'm sticking with my original guess. Maybe extensions. We should start a pool. $1 kitty. In case Tony decides to open it.

 

[jabberwoki]

Ive told him I found something super cool but it comes with a conundrum but I`m not telling him what till Portland swap in April... it`s killing him haha.

 

[3baygarage]

Open it.
Don’t open it.
Open it let’s see what’s inside.
Don’t open it Jabber.
It’s probably just full of rocks. Open it.
Imagine the joy your friend wil have.

Yeah, when he sees all that virgin Plomb goodness.

There could be a whole Toolmobile in there.

You stop that!

You’re right. I bet it’s a case of 4751 mini ratchets.

Cut it out!

I like his style. Cut a hole in the bottom.

Hey! Nice try.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

What if it "accidently" fell off the table and popped open?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Haha!

FWIW, I slit most of my NOS boxes open very carefully, making an incision in the packing tape with a very fine, very sharp razor blade, as close to the lid as possible. That way, when the lid is put back on, it's not even apparent that it has been opened. I was afraid that steam would be messier on the glue substance on the packing tape, and, potentially look worse, with the tape hanging loosely off permanently afterwards.

 

[bill300d]

My guess

 

[3baygarage]

My guess

Aww man. Not elbow calkers!

You might be right.

 

[jabberwoki]

Should I rattle the box and post the sound? haha

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Haha! It's getting fun now!

Interesting approach, bill! However, I doubt the US Army Air Corps was buying elbow caulkers, and I also doubt that the item numbers on Plomb NOS boxes with US Army Air Corps contract numbers correspond to the tool numbers in a Plomb commercial sales catalog. More on that point, if you look at the last NOS US Army Air Corps box I had, photo in post #12 on page 1 of this thread (linked here), you can see that it's marked "ITEM NO. 7." There is no No. 7 tool listed in the plumbers area of a wartime era Plomb catalog, or in any other area, for that matter, and, note that the box to the best of my recollection contained a dozen WF-11 (1/4" service opening) sockets. I could be wrong, but I believe the item numbers correspond to some Air Corps list. Lastly, unless Jabberwocki measured wrong, at 4-3/4" long, they'd have trouble fitting in a 4-1/2" box.

But, it's an intriguing guess and yet another good reason to open that danged box! Who knows? Maybe I'll have to eat crow!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Well the box is 4 1/2 inches long.

I'm not at home, but that sounds about right for WF-9 sliding tees. I'm sticking with my original guess. Maybe extensions. We should start a pool. $1 kitty. In case Tony decides to open it.

I don't have a WF-9 on hand at the moment, but the 4785 1/4-inch drive sliding bar handle is 4-1/2" long.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are a few possibilities for the contents. The Plomb 4885 is 9/32" drive and doesn't appear in any catalog that I can find. The Plomb 4785 is 1/4" drive and pretty common as are the WF7 9/32" flex handles.
-Don

 

[JMLangford]

My guess

Well the box is 4 1/2 inches long.

Can't be elbow calkers.....the length of the calkers are 4 3/4" long.....won't fit in the box......




.

 

[jabberwoki]

I`ll ask my chiropractor if he could x ray them. if its not too much I`ll do it.

 

[dkroth]

Play the tape!!!!!



.

 

[3baygarage]

Play the tape!!!!!



.

Haha I remember that thread.