Screwdriver Identification

[Ben Dover]

Nice find, what are you going to do with them?

[lt.luke]

Wingnutt, I may have missed some reading on the subject, but if I remember correctly,

...the old 'War Finish' debate...

is not really a debate. From what's remember, the consensus was that the debate was settled & the answer is "Wright Field" not "War Finish". Luca or Greg Hines or Larry Long could probably refresh my memory!

* this is one of those times that the "tag" feature of Facebook would really come in handy!

[Chuck Lutz]

Hmm....I would have to ask if those FEDERAL screwdrivers that have W.F. as a part of the original "FEDERAL 6" stamping and filling were done by anyone other than the manufacturer at the time they stamped them. If there is some evidence that FEDERAL was contracted by Wright Field to include the "W.F." as a part of the original marking then that would support the contention...

...however I don't think that Wright Field could stamp them after recieving them from FEDERAL so precisely they look "original"....has this been established anywhere that Wright Field did the additional marking or has it been verified that Wright Field ordered screwdrivers from Federal that required the "W.F." in the factory stamping?

[lt.luke]

has this been established anywhere that Wright Field did the additional marking or has it been verified that Wright Field ordered screwdrivers from Federal that required the "W.F." in the factory stamping?

Not by me, just an observation. If you look through the thread, you may notice that not all of the FEDERALS have the WF marking, so it means something. Just need to figure out WHAT it means.

[Roger]

but that leaves us wondering when they changed from the info stamped on the wood slab style...to the roll-stamped info on the shank....

Just curious because I don't recall seeing one marked on the shank? Anyone have a photo?

[Wingnutt]

I'm not ruling out "war finish."

[Chuck Lutz]

Roger....yup, should have been "slab" instead of "shank"...

[lt.luke]

but that leaves us wondering when they changed from the info stamped on the wood slab style...to the roll-stamped info on the shank....

Just curious because I don't recall seeing one marked on the shank? Anyone have a photo?

There are a couple of pics of FEDERALs marked on the metal on page one of this forum. What I personally don't remember seeing is an ink stamp (on the wood) without accompanying impressions to go with it.

Chuck, Roger, any thoughts on the "WF" marking, not present on all of the Federals in this topic?

[EAMount]

Gee Jeep Screwdriver Jedi's:

OK - So I gave this some time to let the dust settle. I also went to the MOMA site which notes the screwdrivers they have are pre-1948. The two differences between the ones I have and the MOMA ones are the WF markings and that the shanks on mine are unpolished and are painted with gloss black paint. Only the tip and handles have been finish sanded on mine. The MOMA ones have a full shank polish.

Anyone want to render a final verdict on the NOS screwdrivers I have. Are they the real deal or not......

[lt.luke]

Based on those noted differences, I think your nos drivers are war-time. BUT they may well be civilian, carrying the WF marking to denote lesser quality & potentially less warranty. I seem to remember a discussion along that line some time ago.

[Wingnutt]

I think the W.F. marks are unmistakably "War Finish" stamps, not Wright Field, which were always accompanied by a Wright Field stock number. Also, I am not aware of any documentation that shows that Federal supplied tools to Wright Field operations. So IMHO they are wartime, but intended for civilian market, not issued. Nevertheless, a great find, a very nice conversation piece, and excellent physical artifacts for our technical knowledge base. Regardless of the WF mark, those screwdrivers are beautiful examples of the size, shape, and style of the screwdrivers Federal did manufacture and supply.

[EAMount]

Wingnutt and Luke,

Thanks for evaluation. It is appreciated.

Everett

[JAB]

Top one is an unmarked (ink stamped?) Irwin, or at least identical to other Irwins. Next is NOS Irwin USofA from Joel. Under that is a stock numbered Irwin. A strange RYTCW Made in USA is under that & the last one is a sideways 6 LENOX. Hopefully this comparo will further our studies!

[lucakiki]

Wow Jeff! I remember well when you purchased that n.o.s. screwdriver from So and So.
You jokingly complained that it looked too good compared to your other tools.
Since we are on the subject, I really would like that we could set in stone, once for ever, what did make those screwdrivers WWII genuine G.I. issue screwdrivers.
Mind you, never had any doubts on their being genuine G.I. issue: it is the time frame that worries me.
At the time most of us were under the influence of that famous WO A drawing, and the seller made a strong selling point out of the lack of government stock number, cashing on that.
I am far from being convinced that the lack of government number alone might safely identify them as made in WWII.
Besides, there is no consensus on the Gov. Stock marking as a definitive indicator of postwar manufacture:another can of worms by itself!

[Chuck Lutz]

As far as Luca's question on the time frame that the "IRWIN-USofA" markings were produced...I have posted this previously, but in 1964 or so, we repainted our house and bought a three-pack of IRWIN screwdrivers.....I lost the short one (8 or 9 inches overall), but still have the 11" OAL one with "IRWIN-USA" on it and the 15" OAL one with "IRWIN-USofA" on it.....they came with roll-stamped shanks and a dipped-varnish coating on them.

So they were around in the 1960s and both styles of stampings were around at the same time!