VETCO Extension/Adapter

[Provincial]

I found this Extension/Adapter for reducing 1/2 drive female to 3/8 drive male in a bunch of stuff Saturday. The reach is extended by about 2-1/4". It is marked "VETCO mfg USA 4 1/2", has a fairly rough machined finish and perhaps cadmium plating. All this makes me think it was made for the military, perhaps during WWII.

Does anyone know anything about this item or who VETCO might be? Vanadium Tool Company doesn't have an "E" in the name.

 

[3baygarage]

That's an interesting piece. Does it have a detent ball?

Could this be the same company? It mentions tools for the Air Force.



https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1980-vetco-first-fifty-years-1930-1829933323

 

[Provincial]

Good information, 3bay! I'm sure this is the company. I saw the sale of Gray Vetco on the internet, but no earlier connection, so I did not try to work back.

The 3/8 drive end has no detent, so it makes sense that it works like a chuck wrench driven by a 1/2 drive tool. The body would allow the head of the 3/8 square-recess to be driven to be up to 1-1/4" below whatever surface it was located in.

It makes sense that it was either for working on their pipeline inspection tools or for the Air Force in a specialty application.

Thanks for the research! This sale was an interesting one.