Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Manufacturers, configurations, Shovels, Axe, Wrenches, Oiler, F/E etc.
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Wingnutt
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Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Wingnutt » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:45 am

Have to say, I'm not sure whether to be happy about or wary of my first haul of the year. On one hand, it's pretty danged good. :shock: On the other, it sets a pretty danged high bar for me to try to match! :o

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Many of you will instantly recognize the 17-T-5575 Low Voltage Circuit Tester. It's a Heyer Model Q.M.C. 1-42 with an original Operating Manual dated 5-42 (marked '17-T-5575') tucked in behind the tin diagram plate under the lid. I know algor has one, and Roger has picked up a couple of these at boot sales, and there are a few others out there on the tools forum from years ago floating around.

I stole these images from Phil's October 1942 SNL N-19. It was issued to the 2nd Echelon Set No. 2

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And these - from an inspection of the 254th Infantry Regiment Service Company set 2-2 - are from Chad's NARA raids...

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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Wingnutt » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:56 am

The binoculars are British. W. Watson & Sons, No. 16. Marked "Opticians to H.M. Government." Not dated. There is an arrow, but it's near the focus adjuster, so I can't tell if it's supposed to be the M.O.D. "broad arrow" symbol or if it's a hash mark indicator. Either way, I've already decided these will go next to the WWII British canteen I have in the panniers on my BSA WDM20! :D

Nothing else wartime, except maybe on the NOS box of "MAC" SOCKETS and the Herbrand-made "MAC" X2R ratchet, all 3-8-inch drive.

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Last edited by Wingnutt on Thu Jan 03, 2019 12:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by henry501 » Thu Jan 03, 2019 12:19 pm

Greg,

Nice score on that tester. How flexible is the wiring?

Thank you,
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Wingnutt » Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:08 pm

Surprisingly VERY supple. All of the rubber shields on the rheostats are fine, too. The only leads with issues are the battery drive-in leads. It looks like the composite melted from the inside, then re-hardened in spots, and those spots are crystalized and fragile.

I'll post a lot more photos later.

There's an odd conundrum on the cover of the manual.
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Wingnutt » Thu Jan 03, 2019 3:45 pm

So I am hoping Roger or Cliff or someone from the UK will be able to tell me what I have here. They were peanuts, so if they're not WWII, I won't be upset. But I'd like to get a read on how old they are. And what some of the markings are. They are X 6 power. I am gathering the model number is 2776. It's etched into the binoculars and scrawled into the leather on the case. What is that "16" number preceded by a symbol. I am not familiar with that symbol. Also, I have seen some British binoculars with a very broad stylized broad arrow. As I said upthread I am starting to think the arrow on these is a hash mark for the central focus ring. Thoughts? Comments?

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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Wingnutt » Thu Jan 03, 2019 3:56 pm

Here's the tester...

The lid is all goobered up, but that's okay, because it's been re-painted black and I am going to strip it and paint it the original QMC grey (or should I say "tire pump grey"?) :lol:

Other than the lid, it's is very good condition. All the leads (5 feet long!) are there and useable as is, with the sheaths on the drive-in battery leads needing a little attention. The panel (dials, switches, etc) is in excellent condition, as is the data/diagram plate and the Operating Manual.

Note that the cover on the manual says, "MADE FOR UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT / ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT." I find that a little odd, since the model number is "Q.M.C. 1-42" and the same manual on a different page in the back says "MADE FOR THE U.S. ARMY - Q.M." Trying to wrap my head around that one.

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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Tin Medic » Thu Jan 03, 2019 5:21 pm

Wingnutt wrote:
Thu Jan 03, 2019 3:56 pm
Note that the cover on the manual says, "MADE FOR UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT / ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT." I find that a little odd, since the model number is "Q.M.C. 1-42" and the same manual on a different page in the back says "MADE FOR THE U.S. ARMY - Q.M." Trying to wrap my head around that one.
That could be interesting.
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Wingnutt » Thu Jan 03, 2019 5:52 pm

So we've talked about MAC in a few threads and the possibility of wartime production based on historical research showing they had a few contracts. I've probably come as close as we can come with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and sockets. The pieces are all cadmium-plated and the ratchet, with the "PAT. PEND." marking, dates to 1944 to 1946. The patent (2,430,480) was applied for in February 1944 and granted November 1947.

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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Mark Tombleson » Thu Jan 03, 2019 7:28 pm

I picked up one of those testers, some years ago,

If I could remember which box in storage? :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Klaas » Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:02 pm

Wingnutt wrote:
Thu Jan 03, 2019 3:45 pm
So I am hoping Roger or Cliff or someone from the UK will be able to tell me what I have here. They were peanuts, so if they're not WWII, I won't be upset. But I'd like to get a read on how old they are. And what some of the markings are. They are X 6 power. I am gathering the model number is 2776. It's etched into the binoculars and scrawled into the leather on the case. What is that "16" number preceded by a symbol. I am not familiar with that symbol. Also, I have seen some British binoculars with a very broad stylized broad arrow. As I said upthread I am starting to think the arrow on these is a hash mark for the central focus ring. Thoughts? Comments?
Your Binoculars are civilian and a very nice looking pair at that.
2776 is the serial number and the "No 16" is the model number of the bino's.( the symbol is "N" + "o" underscored, very close together)
The arrow mark on yours is the index for the eye-width adjustment.
William Watson's did make a lot of optical equipment for the British Military, including the similarly shaped No2 Binoculars.
They were marked up differently from the civilian versions: text in the line of
" BINO PRISM No2 MkII
x6
No****** "
on the left prism housing and
" GRATICULES 1/2" APART
1/4", 1/2", AND 1" HIGH
- (manufacturiers mark) -
1944 "
and
O.S. 420 M.A.
on the right prism housing
Also a broad arrow on each prism housing - close to the edge

Too dark here for pictures of my (Kershaw-made) example, hence the description.
Klaas
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Wingnutt » Fri Jan 04, 2019 6:03 am

Thanks for confirming my suspicions about the arrow and for the explanation on the serial and model numbers. If you go back to my first post, you'll see that I initially identified the model number as "16." But that strange looking version of a "No" abbreviation had me second guessing.

When do you think these were made?
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Klaas » Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:07 am

W.Watson was based at that address from 1888 to 1958. (Wikipedia)
Going by the looks of the bino's, I would guess somewhere between 1920s to late 1940s (but not during WW2) as they have a modern look and have the focussing arrangement for both eyepieces separate. Later on most binoculars went to the central-focussing-with-one-eye-correction set up.
Honestly, I do not know all that much about them. I like optical instruments in general and even more so in military applications.
I had a W. Watson No32 Mk2 scope on my Lee Enfield No 4 Mk1 sniper rifle in my target shooting days (now long gone).
Still have a No2Mk2 and a No2Mk3 6x30 Binoculars, one Barr&Stroud Navy 7x50 CF41 Binoculars and a 4-draw Broadhurst and Clarkson Telescope Signalling Mk VI with 2 eyepieces (15x and 30x)
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Wingnutt » Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:16 am

I was thinking pre 50s for sure with the separate eye focusing rings, the general shape, and the textured grips. And I was thinking pre 42 with the copper or brass frame. (You saw it poking through the black enamel, yes?) Although I'm not sure when exactly England restricted copper/brass. What I have no basis for knowing is how early they are. Need someone more familiar with other features to know if they're 30s or even older.
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Klaas » Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:27 am

I will keep scouting around for information on your bino's.
Funny thing is that there is plenty on the military versions, but hardly anything on the civilian opticals floating around on the www.
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Re: Wingnutt's Flea Market Frenzy - Version 2019

Post by Klaas » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:43 am

It looks like your bino's are older than we thought, judging by this eBay listing; https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Binoculars-W-Wa ... SwB-1Y75cN

Almost a perfect twin to yours.
"Post 1908" refers to the name change to W. Watson & Sons.
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