Walden-Worcestors Pressed Steel Socket Set

[Ayrhead]

Hi All: I originally posted in the Tools Forum trying to find out what the manufacturer of these sockets were as I thought they were Frank Mossberg. I now know that they are Walden -Worcester and was asked to post some pics here, so that’s what I’m attempting to do.

They came with a different maker’s ratchet. Pic attached.
I have 5 sets of the Frank Mossberg pressed steel. This is my 1st Walden-Worcester. Thanks for looking

 

[outofbounds]

Pretty impressive set!

 

[Ayrhead]

Hi All: I originally posted in the Tools Forum trying to find out what the manufacturer of these sockets were as I thought they were Frank Mossberg. I now know that they are Walden -Worcester and was asked to post some pics here, so that’s what I’m attempting to do.

They came with a different maker’s ratchet. Pic attached.
I have 5 sets of the Frank Mossberg pressed steel. This is my 1st Walden-Worcester. Thanks for looking

The pressed steel is in the middle section. The ratchet is a 780 Syracuse Wrench Model. The Speed Wrench is a Blackhawk #500. The forged sockets on the left side have a knurling around the middle of the socket but I haven’t found a name on them...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hi Ayrhead,

Thanks for sharing.

I was going to say, you obviously have a lot of other (not W-W, not pressed steel) sockets and wrenches and ratchets and whatnot in that box, but if you're talking about all those pressed steel sockets in the middle there (I count 21 hex and 11 square), and they're all W-W, they are without a doubt from a W-W Set No. 11 or No. 12. Those are the largest sets W-W made and the only sets that had that many sockets. Set No. 11 was very early and had the wire handle ratchet. Set No. 12 was later and had a pressed-steel body ratchet. Both had an 11/16" external drive opening. That Syracuse ratchet also has an 11/16" opening and will also turn the sockets from the outside. There should be a universal joint and an extension, each with one end 11/16" and the other end 1/2", that would allow you to turn the sockets by internal drive.

Like the larger Mossberg sets you are used to, it would also have a cotter pin puller and a set of stamped steel DOE wrenches.

AA and TA have details.

 

[Ayrhead]

Hi Ayrhead,

Thanks for sharing.

I was going to say, you obviously have a lot of other (not W-W, not pressed steel) sockets and wrenches and ratchets and whatnot in that box, but if you're talking about all those pressed steel sockets in the middle there (I count 21 hex and 11 square), and they're all W-W, they are without a doubt from a W-W Set No. 11 or No. 12. Those are the largest sets W-W made and the only sets that had that many sockets. Set No. 11 was very early and had the wire handle ratchet. Set No. 12 was later and had a pressed-steel body ratchet. Both had an 11/16" external drive opening. That Syracuse ratchet also has an 11/16" opening and will also turn the sockets from the outside. There should be a universal joint and an extension, each with one end 11/16" and the other end 1/2", that would allow you to turn the sockets by internal drive.

Like the larger Mossberg sets you are used to, it would also have a cotter pin puller and a set of stamped steel DOE wrenches.

AA and TA have details.

Thanks for the information and yes the ones you described are W-W. The wrenches and the ratchet were not there but the Syracuse one was as well as the Blackhawk #500speed wrench. There is also an extension. I enjoy having the older tools to look at

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Cool sockets I have some old sockets but none like this all mine look like a regular socket. Not this brand either.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Tburk1]

Hi All: I originally posted in the Tools Forum trying to find out what the manufacturer of these sockets were as I thought they were Frank Mossberg. I now know that they are Walden -Worcester and was asked to post some pics here, so that’s what I’m attempting to do.

They came with a different maker’s ratchet. Pic attached.
I have 5 sets of the Frank Mossberg pressed steel. This is my 1st Walden-Worcester. Thanks for looking

I don’t Thing that ratchet is from a different maker. Reason being I came here to find out who the maker of it was, as I got the same one in my no6 set I bought and assumed it was not original. But you have the same one hmmm

 

[Tburk1]

I don’t Thing that ratchet is from a different maker. Reason being I came here to find out who the maker of it was, as I got the same one in my no6 set I bought and assumed it was not original. But you have the same one hmmm

 

[Tburk1]

Another picture

 

[Tburk1]

 

[four.cycle]

Ayrhead's model 780 was made by the Syracuse Wrench Co.
It is quite possible that Ayrhead's set was originally a Syracuse Wrench Co. set. It has been fairly well established that there existed relationship(s) between Syracuse Wrench Co. and other manufacturers in which Syracuse was outsourcing sockets and other drive tools to make sets which contained their own ratchets.

Ayrhead's model 780 Syracuse Wrench Co. ratchet

1910 Automobile Trade Directory pp 471 Syracuse Wrench Co. Champion Ratchet Wrench Set ad
Syracuse / Syracuse Wrench Co., 501 E. Water St., Syracuse, NY / "Champion" "Yala" / patent 873977 Dec 17 1907 Jacob J. Albrecht / http://alloy-artifacts.org/syracuse-wrench.html / http://alloy-artifacts.org/syracuse-wrench.html#history / http://toolarchives.com/index.php/node/317 / https://flic.kr/p/AVxKwZ /

The discussion pertaining to Syracuse outsourcing sockets is at the bottom of this thread.

I'm sorry, but I do not recognize the ratchet you've posted.

Welcome to the site!

 

[four.cycle]

oops. I think that last link I posted is not correct and I have no idea where the rest of that conversation is.

either way.... Syracuse apparently just made their own patented ratchets and put other people's stuff in the boxes with them.

bk

 

[Tburk1]

O thank you so much. Ironically after I posted this I saw a post under the Walden Worcester thread with someone with the same ratchet. He assumed it wasn’t originally part of rhe set, but it looks like we both had the same set. So perhaps it did come with it.
I have had, what was supposed to be a quick flip, for 6 months because of missing sockets and most especially not thinking this was original. I’m a bit ocd about being accurate on my listings Lol

 

[Tburk1]

oops. I think that last link I posted is not correct and I have no idea where the rest of that conversation is.

either way.... Syracuse apparently just made their own patented ratchets and put other people's stuff in the boxes with them.

bk

Thank you for the resource. I was already able to confirm that my sockets are from the earliest Walden production (pre 1916) and are pressed steel, due to the markings. Ty so much for such an invaluable resource for this newbie. I am grateful

 

[Flathead_Fred]

Did you ever identify the Mfg. of this ratchet? I have a chance to purchase a Walden set #6 in the box with this ratchet but it doesn't fit the 11/16 drive sockets. There are no other pieces so I am not sure it is correct, thanks.

 

[Ayrhead]

Hi All: I originally posted in the Tools Forum trying to find out what the manufacturer of these sockets were as I thought they were Frank Mossberg. I now know that they are Walden -Worcester and was asked to post some pics here, so that’s what I’m attempting to do.

They came with a different maker’s ratchet. Pic attached.
I have 5 sets of the Frank Mossberg pressed steel. This is my 1st Walden-Worcester. Thanks for looking

I came across this canvas type bag that had some more Walden Worcester sockets an extension and a universal joint with 2 different sized ends. I’ve added it to the original box I had with the other W-W set.