Who made this screwdriver and when?

[lexical]

I’m looking for help identifying the manufacturer of the screwdriver in the photo. I replaced the wooden handle staves. Originals may have been rosewood or walnut… definitely not oak or ash. It’s probably not an H.D. Smith, but rather some knock-off.

The only markings on the casting is a “175” embossed under the wood stave. Unfortunate I didn’t take a photo before re-installing the mesquite handles.

Any thoughts on who made it and when is greatly appreciated.

 

[geneg]

It's probably from Germany. Usually no brand name given but Germany stamped on the shaft sometmes. 175mm = 6.8", so possibly metric. Did you throw the scales away? The wood type might be a help.

 

[AreBeeBee]

These "Perfect" pattern screwdrivers are relatively common, though often found pretty beat up. Irwin made them in the US, probably other makers too. But most of the ones I've picked up (at ReStores, tool meets, etc.) are stamped Germany with no additional info. Based on the usual condition it's clear nobody took much care in using them.

 

[RTM]

As far as time, I want to postulate they are post WWII, as part of the war recovery effort. Seems like old Millers Falls stuff got sent there, and that's how we got knock off Spiral Ratchet screwdrivers.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It's probably from Germany.

^ This.

The profile doesn't look like an H.D. Smith original, or any of the major US companies that made them in their wake (in order, Tobrin, J.J. Ryan, Irwin, or Federal), and most of those had markings or other tells. Irwin only ink-stamped the wooden scales during WWII, but it doesn't have an Irwin look, with that very sharp V shape in the shank for the scales.

 

[geneg]

^ This.

The profile doesn't look like an H.D. Smith original, or any of the major US companies that made them in their wake (in order, Tobrin, J.J. Ryan, Irwin, or Federal), and most of those had markings or other tells. Irwin only ink-stamped the wooden scales during WWII, but it doesn't have an Irwin look, with that very sharp V shape in the shank for the scales.

The flare out of the shaft to the blade also looks different than most of the domestics. Some of the German ones that I have are very faintly stamped. The rough surface down from the V on the shaft may be remnants. I couldn't blow up the photo enough to tell. It also seems like most of the small ones came from there.

Back to the orig questions- I'd guess between late 40s to 1960.

 

[lexical]

It's probably from Germany. Usually no brand name given but Germany stamped on the shaft sometmes. 175mm = 6.8", so possibly metric. Did you throw the scales away? The wood type might be a help.

I do still have the scales. There are some remenants of a stamp or etch, but I’m assuming it’s an owner’s initials or something. 175 does seem to indicate it’s European made as other have suggested. There is what appears to be an etching in the shank, but it’s too far gone to make anything out.

 

[lexical]

Here are a couple close up photos of the scales and want might be a stamp on the shank. I appreciate the responses. Seems like post WWII is the date and likely German. Good enough for me. I just like knowing the history of an old tool regardless.

 

[geneg]

Saving the scales makes you fit in here. If you want, sand the flat side of one with some 100 grit paper. May help to id the wood. As they stand- looks like weathered hickory, but could be anything.