Wizard 1367 Screwdriver. How old?

[Toolcrib]

I came across this Wizard 1367 screwdriver from an estate. I was thinking it was from the 50's based on the art deco acetate handle design? Does anyone have any info on this screwdriver?

 

[Mintgrun]

That seems like a good guess, seeing as how it appears on the cover of the 1957 catalog.
(the Internet Archive is awesome)

Western Auto Extra Quality Tools : Western Auto Supply Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

24 p., illus., 21.4 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[Toolcrib]

Wow that catalog is an awesome resource! According to the catalog the official screwdriver line is the "power twist". And the handle is made out of tenite II
not acetate. Who would of thought? Thanks Mintgrun!

 

[Lesserstore]

Is there a letter code on it? Here's a Wizard screwdriver from the late 60s or 1970s which is a rebrand of the Stanley 100 Plus, with an "S" code for Stanley.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

According to the catalog the official screwdriver line is the "power twist". And the handle is made out of tenite II
not acetate. Who would of thought?

I would have!

Here's a timeline I developed showing the evolution of plastic handle compositions...



As you can see, the industry had, in general, moved from primarily Pyralin (pyroxylin), with some use of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, prewar, to Tenite and what I suspect are improved forms of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate postwar.

You can read the whole Stinkdriver Study discussion on page 19, post #735 through #760, here...

The Lugzsonian - A Virtual Tour

The only marking is a small "62 H&S" on the inside of a handle, which might be a date and a German mfgr. See Pic 1. The Curator was already thinking Europe and dentistry or jewelry based on the oddity and the box joint, just some little data points he has picked up from GJ'er @rlitman along the...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Toolcrib]

Is there a letter code on it? Here's a Wizard screwdriver from the late 60s or 1970s which is a rebrand of the Stanley 100 Plus, with an "S" code for Stanley.

I will check tomorrow (when I am at that location) for a letter code.

 

[Toolcrib]

I would have!

Here's a timeline I developed showing the evolution of plastic handle compositions...



As you can see, the industry had, in general, moved from primarily Pyralin (pyroxylin), with some use of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, prewar, to Tenite and what I suspect are improved forms of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate postwar.

You can read the whole Stinkdriver Study discussion on page 19, post #735 through #760, here...

The Lugzsonian - A Virtual Tour

The only marking is a small "62 H&S" on the inside of a handle, which might be a date and a German mfgr. See Pic 1. The Curator was already thinking Europe and dentistry or jewelry based on the oddity and the box joint, just some little data points he has picked up from GJ'er @rlitman along the...

www.garagejournal.com

It is interesting because when I think of tenite i think of Klein-koats. It amazes me what information is out there! Thanks! I will read the stinkdriver study now.

 

[Toolcrib]

I just checked there is a ST stamped in the tenite. I assume that means the original maker is Stanley?

 

[Lesserstore]

Definitely possible. It is near the model number correct? Otherwise it might be a well done owner's stamp. If it was made by Stanley, it was a grip design made for Western Auto exclusively.

 

[Toolcrib]

Yes it is in the Wizard 1367 area but not part of the part number. It definitely was stamped at the same time Wizard and 1367 were and is original.

 

[Toolcrib]

Here is a picture. Quality of picture is the best my camera can do.

 

[Lesserstore]

Well that means I have another screwdriver to add to my Stanley screwdriver history. Looking back, Stanley also made a similar handle shape for Montgomery Ward's Powr-Kraft.