Unusual Perfect Handle Screwdriver

[Shiftless]

Here is one that I’ve never seen before. It’s not mine (yet)
Is this rare and quite valuable or just rare and barely worth more than shipping cost?

One side says:

?ANDS & CO PLANTSVILLE CONN. U.S.A.

I can’t make out the first letter or two. Worn off?
.
.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Marking H.D.S. & Co is H.D. Smith. They owned the "Perfect Handle" name and patent. If you search on H.D. Smith you will find plenty info right here on GJ. I have seen that particular shank before, but always for more than I was willing to pay. Nice find.

 

[F124C]

Anyone know what is the purpose of the 2 bumps/protusions near the blade tip?

Al.

 

[4xdog]

Anyone know what is the purpose of the 2 bumps/protusions near the blade tip?

Al.

Looks like a built-in offset screwdriver.

 

[Shiftless]

Looks like a built-in offset screwdriver.

That’s what made me say it’s so unusual.

Thanks for the input Lugz

 

[leg17]

Check over at Pawpaw's Wrench site.
He knows a lot about Perfect Handle.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Maybe a depth stopper? Cool find!

 

[d42jeep]

I found one at the Tahoe flea Saturday as well. I had to dip it in the evaporust to make out the markings. It turned out to be a Hercules made in August of 1916 as far as I can tell.
-Don

 

[Shiftless]

D42jeep:
Nice to think you now have your hands on a tool more than 100 years old. I feel connected to past generations of tradesmen and craft people who lived before us.

Yours lacks the offset screwdriver function of the one I posted above in post #1, but it’s still cool!

Here is the closest thing I have in my collection. It is 10 1/4 inch long and has a blade 3/4 inch wide. This is a beefy screwdriver. I’m sure somebody at some time put a wrench on that square shank for extra torque.

What does the W.F. stand for? Wartime finish?

 

[d42jeep]

D42jeep:
Nice to think you now have your hands on a tool more than 100 years old. I feel connected to past generations of tradesmen and craft people who lived before us.

Yours lacks the offset screwdriver function of the one I posted above in post #1, but it’s still cool!

Here is the closest thing I have in my collection. It is 10 1/4 inch long and has a blade 3/4 inch wide. This is a beefy screwdriver. I’m sure somebody at some time put a wrench on that square shank for extra torque.

What does the W.F. stand for? Wartime finish?

I have seen it suggested that the WF may stand for War Finish but I’m not positive. I have some Irwin brand extra heavy duty screwdrivers that are shorter than yours. The GMTK specs call for a 9-1/2” one. The first two pictures aren’t mine. The Irwin with the decal is likely prewar.
-Don
-Don

 

[leg17]

Looks like a built-in offset screwdriver.

That is correct.

 

[MisterEd]

We know that many companies made "Perfect Handle" and our favorite is the H.D. Smith Improved Six-Sixty, early 1900s, but we never leave any behind.

Found this one today by Damon Raike Co. It's stamped with DARAIKE Germany and Damon Raike Co., though most of the name missed the metal. Business was in Chicago, but tools were made in Germany. You can search archive.org and see a catalog entry for other wood handle screwdriver (https://archive.org/details/DamonRaikeCo/mode/1up?q=Daraike).

Quality seems good. Old and a bit battered, but serviceable

 

[RTM]

Nice find. Only seen one other German made with an ID, and it was only initials, never found out who made it.