Way Cool Old Socket Set

[jim]

Saw this at a rummage sale and just had to have it for 50 cents! I really like the way things are held in place with set screws. Brown wrinkle finish case. Measures 5.5 inches long, 2 inches high. What do you guys know about the markings? See pictures. Who made this? How old is it? Any info would be great. Thanks Jim

 

[four.cycle]

Re: Way Cool Old Socket SET

NB = New Britain Machine

See Alloy-Artifacts.org - main page scroll down and click on "logos and trademarks" and you'll find that little "NB" symbol there.
Should be a few pages there on New Britain as well.

Very nice set.

* looking at the photos again, that's a curious way to secure the "t bar" for the breaker.
just out of curiosity, does that little bar have a divot in it for the screw to index into? or is it just friction holding it in place?

 

[jim]

Re: Way Cool Old Socket SET

Just friction.That is what makes this set so cool. I have never seen a set like this. Has anyone ever seen a set like this? This is not a one off holder. It looks commercially made by the manufacturer. Jim

 

[four.cycle]

it's an oddball, no doubt.
very seriously doubt somebody would do a home-made job like that.
any stamping on the holder itself? patent number, maybe?

 

[RUSTY REAREND]

Ditto

 

[Thru-hika]

I've got the same set fron New Britain and a set just like it but marked Craftsman BE. The Craftsman set came in a much larger set to include a tool box, 3/8 ratchet and sockets and 1/2 ratchet and sockets, extensions and speeder. They are really neat and for $.50 you got yourself a bargain!

 

[CNGsaves]

If you don't want "that old thing" . . . I'll give you 100% profit !!

Let me know and I'll send the $1 plus postage !!

Nice score !!

 

[jim]

Yes. It was very hard to see with the wrinkle brown paint but there was a stamping on the inside back wall. It said "PAT NO 1438900". Does this help with how old it is? Jim

 

[KRB52]

You more than got your money's worth. Really nice set.

 

[bonneyman]

Very cool!

 

[chopper1]

I think that it is actually the None Better line from New Britain

 

[four.cycle]

"PAT NO 1438900"

err... yeah... looks like it could be... OLD:

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=52379

 

[lbgradwell]

Hmm. That's the same patent number that appears on the much more common socket holders. The OP's holder is more impressive and I'd guess it was later.

 

[Cruzan80]

If you search Craftsman BE midget set, you will find similar ones. New Britain was making sockets for Craftsman at that time. 30's-40's era.

 

[tym]

I didn't do as well as you, but was wasting time on eBay this weekend and bought the following for $20 and change (auction pic below). I liked it because it appeared to be complete and has the clever holder.

 

[tym]

I received the set the other day, and it looks like the prior owner did a nice job removing rust and cleaning it up. I lubricated the ratchet and ball detents, and also put a thin coat of oil on everything except the holder.

The seller states that the holder was originally red. Debating whether or not I should repaint it. Thoughts?

Also, what's the approximate vintage? Judging by what I read on AA, I'm guessing 1930s-1940s?

Attaching a fresh pic I took a few moments ago.

 

[four.cycle]

tym, have you checked to see who made it? patent number stamped on the holder?

 

[tym]

tym, have you checked to see who made it? patent number stamped on the holder?

Duh! Silly me. It's an Indestro set. On the bottom of the holder.

1451
INDESTRO MFG. CORP.
CHICAGO
MADE IN U.S.A.

 

[Gear Wolf]

Wow you are lucky! Those are in very nice condition!

 

[Gigem]

I have the exact same set as you @Tym

 

[four.cycle]

The seller states that the holder was originally red. Debating whether or not I should repaint it. Thoughts?

wild guess, but if it's a 1451 I would say red.
Indestro DID paint some of those socket holders green, but I've yet to see that set listed on Ebay with green paint on it.

 

[tym]

^ Thanks! I looked more closely at the holder and did spy a few tiny traces of red paint, so red it is. It looks like the factory red was a bit darker than fire engine or candy apple red.

And were these sets 1930s-ish or 1940s-ish?

 

[timbitca]

wild guess, but if it's a 1451 I would say red.
Indestro DID paint some of those socket holders green, but I've yet to see that set listed on Ebay with green paint on it.

I have this same set, in Red. It was my Grandfather's. Only found it in the back of a drawer in the garage after he passed. I wish I had found it before, because I'd like to know where it came from, being that he only moved off the family farm in '67 when he built our house.

 

[four.cycle]

timbitca - could well have been a mail-order item. could also have been sold through Western Auto, True-Value, or any number of other private-label Indestro accounts.

looks like the factory red was a bit darker than fire engine or candy apple red.

well.. that's a possibility, but consider that UV plays hell with red/orange paint.
that said, it would appear they used a deeper red tone early on, and then went to what appears to be a brighter red later. maybe it's the lighting, maybe it's UV effect.
found a green one.... metric set kinda/sorta like that one.




(photos Ebay)

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I have the exact same set as you @Tym

Almost bought one these sets in better condition today for $10 but today was spent buyin tools to keep in my jimmy and those wouldn't cut it. Came home with an empty wallet and some tools I didn't need so I shoulda bought them


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