9/32” Drive Tools - The Forgotten Older Sibling?

[mudbox]

I don’t blame you one bit. I might be sleeping with that under my pillow if it were mine.

[gpw_42]

That's gorgeous, NICE find, Lugz!

[Wingnutt]

I have an intriguing update for this topic.

A friend of mine in Washington state, major collector, huge Indestro guy, not a military guy, whose family ran a hardware store for decades, sent me this strange set recently.

It is Walden-Worcester, appears to be prewar based on the socket construction and socket and handle markings, and it's 9/32-inch drive. I don't have to point out that it's in an OD green box. But the most interesting aspect might be the contents and configuration. The contents are an identical match to the wartime NAF 1108-1 sets (Phila. Mfg Co., Plomb, etc). From the number of tools, to the types of tools, right down to the sizes of the sockets and the number of points in the broachings. Even the practice of neatly labeling everything on the lid of the box smacks of NAF.

Here are some photos of my Phila Mfg Set as a reminder with both labels for comparison. Even though the actual part numbers are different, the part numbering scheme or pattern is the same.

It gets better. A different collector friend, also very knowledgeable, also widely collected, pointed out to me that he has DBE wrenches with NAF stamps and 39XXX-XX (and some 31XXX-XX) part numbers.

From top to bottom, that is a Blue Point NAF 310693-14, a Plomb NAF 310693-37 with a 1940 date code, a Bonney NAF 39427-2 with a 1940 date code, and a Par-V NAF 39460-6.

Despite not being able to find any documentation to confirm this 39XXX-XX USN part numbering scheme (I am hoping someone else might!), I am fairly confident based on this empirical evidence that that this 13-pc (incl the box) Walden-Worcester set No. 39120-20 is the prewar NAF version of the wartime 13-pc (incl the box) NAF 1108-1 sets!

[Wingnutt]

I am not sure what the spinner looks like. I will be doing some catalog research and looking at the prewar and wartime 1/4-drive Spintite. I will be hard on the hunt for one! It is the only piece missing.

[d42jeep]

Here is one of the 9/32” drive sockets that was a stowaway in a set I picked up off of eBay recently.
-Don

[Wingnutt]

I've got an empty case with the 39120-20 label under the lid if you want to try to fill it up starting with that socket, Don.

Walden did make wartime 9/32-inch drive tools. I have these two cadmium plated "U.S." marked orphans, including the only 9/32-inch drive universal joint I have ever seen, but I have never seen any other Walden 72XX series pieces.

[d42jeep]

Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got enough Walden on my hands with the other drive sizes. I imagine that the 9/32” drive Walden set might be a tough one to complete.
-Do

[Wingnutt]

Here's another prewar looking wrench, made by Williams for B.G. Service Corporation Hornet spark plugs, with a 39XXX-XX format Navy part marking.

I continue to be amazed that we haven't been aware of these until now.