Williams & Armstrong?

[Mopar-Scooby-Doo]

Ok just noticed this when I got these Armstrong sockets this weekend.


Not sure if I am missing something. They both have the same part number for there sizes and both a wide grove style? Was one made by the other?

 

[nine4gmc]

Yes, and Snap On, and several others I'm sure.

 

[3baygarage]

That's a great observation.
I feel as if those sockets have the same mother but different fathers.

 

[retDAC]

I think having the same part #s in this instance is just a coincidence. The fonts are different, external styling differs, the finish seems different.

Now if the OP got a never opened set and these were both in it, then they must have been made in the factory.

 

[3baygarage]

They are legit. They're the same production line as Williams (of that time period). Looks like later on Armstrong switched to Part# 12-132 for a 1" 12 point socket in 1/2" drive.

 

[neophyte]

I'm not sure about sockets, but some styles of wrench use they same numbering system even when the wrenches were from different manufacturers.

 

[Steinmetz]

The socket on the left looks like the groove was cut by the dullest lathe tool available anywhere.

 

[SMKS]

They are legit. They're the same production line as Williams (of that time period).

Links to prove this?

I haven't heard that claim before.

EDIT - a little googling turned this up. Note, there's no evidence here that they actually were made in the same factories, just that they do have some similarities.
http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/armstrong-bros-p3.html

Armstrong was a relatively late entry as a maker of sockets and drive tools, as these tools were not offered until sometime after 1928. This was around the same time that J.H. Williams was first producing socket tools as well, and interestingly enough, the socket tools from Armstrong and Williams bear a striking resemblance. Not only are the styles, designs, and tool selection nearly the same, but all of the model numbers (even for socket sets) match as well. (Currently it's not known which company was actually first to market.)

 

[TheGrooveking]

Cornwell has the same part numbering scheme, I think this is a throw back to being a government supplier at one time. Part number basically list the number of points and number of 32'nds of an inch.

TheGrooveking

 

[Mopar-Scooby-Doo]

Well so there might be some connection or like Groveking said. They just do them by # of points and size in 32. I do know that on Williams there tools are labeled with the letters being the drive size. Like 1/4 being Midget or M-?, 3/8 being Bantam B-?, 1/2 Standard S-?, 3/4 Heavy H-?, 1 Extra Heavy X-?. So maybe the older stuff followed this kind of patern?

 

[3baygarage]

Links to prove this?

I haven't heard that claim before.

EDIT - a little googling turned this up. Note, there's no evidence here that they actually were made in the same factories, just that they do have some similarities.
http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/armstrong-bros-p3.html

Sorry guys, I have let the entire tool community down with my baseless post. I must now give away my complete tool collection.... starting with............... um.....uh...the made in Taiwan stuff first. "Who wants a nice drop forged wrench?"

No really,somebody told me that but now I'm thinking they probably looked at the part #'s like we are. I guess the mystery remains without the written proof.