What Colors were Wilton Bullets Originally?

[Stearman456]

I’m sure this has been discussed previously, but what color(s) were the original No 4 Fishook Wilton Bullets available in? The one I restored was kinda a muddy, wine color which I deduced was probably some shade of red back in the early forties (it’s ‘56 Ford Red now) and I have a slightly later 4” model (a “Pat Pen” version) that‘s about the same. The next one (a 1955 made 8400A/9400A) will be satin black and chrome, but I digress…

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The one I restored was kinda a muddy, wine color which I deduced was probably some shade of red back in the early forties (it’s ‘56 Ford Red now) and I have a slightly later 4” model (a “Pat Pen” version) that‘s about the same

I have never seen any 1940's production Wilton with an original coat of paint in any shade of red, dark, maroon, burgundy, or otherwise. They are all a shade of industrial green-grey.

Here's an example representative of most of the untouched originals we see on that thread.

Different guys call it different things. Industrial green. Gray-green. Mint green. Sage green. It was a popular machinery color back then. As you well know, I personally love the look of a cleaned-up tool that has its original paint, even if it's mottled like yours. Nothing validates the originality of a tool or piece of equipment better. Having said that, if you have designs on refinishing it, the modern paint that I think comes the closest to the original is Rustoleum Gloss Sage Green.

I don't know if the color was ever described or named in ads, but it was considered an industrial grey green at that time, including hospital equipment and even kitchen appliances. A very popular rattle can match with many, many modern restorations has been Rustoleum Sage Green Gloss. If you search this thread on that you will find examples to eyeball.

EDIT: Linking a vise posted on this thread last year with the most vivid, original finish I have ever seen, here.

^ The link in the second quote will lead you to one of many untouched original examples on the Wilton Dating thread. This particular example is the brightest and lime-iest I have ever seen. Most are chalkier.

Or you could search the thread in "Original paint" and find many others. The quickest way to find the thread is the A to Z Index of Threads in the Sticky called READ BEFORE POSTING! at the top of this forum.

 

[sz0k30]

You need to ask this question in the "General Tool Discussion" section under "The Vices of Garage Journal".

 

[RTM]

I’m sure this has been discussed previously, but what color(s) were the original No 4 Fishook Wilton Bullets available in?

You need to ask this question in the "General Tool Discussion" section under "The Vices of Garage Journal".

Or just try the site search function.

Search results for query: Wilton bullet factory colors

www.garagejournal.com

Some of the responses are trying to match via the Sage Green metallic, NLA. Others are wishing for miracles.

 

[d42jeep]

Mine may be newer (1-77) than the OP is interested in but it does have original paint.
-Don

 

[FJ 432]

I know I'm in the minority here but I don't follow the need to accurately research and restore a vise back to its' original paint color.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Mine is a "baseless" from the 50's and it was the green gray color - Definitely closer to olive. IIRC I was overlaying it between Olive Drab and Hammer Battleship gray, and it got close.

I also had a Sun cart (originally hosted a distributor machine) that was the dead ringer to the other wilton (later) I had... which is that hammer metallic steel blue from the 70's. I would have kept it, except we were moving (only room for one, damnit), and I wanted to keep the soft brass jawed version.

I don't know of any wiltons that were red or brick (unless they were rusty!) - but nothing would stop a company from painting them for whatever reason once they owned it. (one at a former workplace was a dark blue)... IMO unless the finish is so shot or damaged from whatever abuse has been foisted on it (in which case, yeah, I'd go with one of the original colors) do what so many shops did in the day - paint int in a common industrial color from the era and call it a day.