The Dunlap Brand

No discussion of Craftsman tools would be complete without at least some mention of the Dunlap brand, a sister brand used for a line of economy tools. The Dunlap brand was supposedly named after Tom Dunlap, the manager of the Sears hardware division from the 1930s through the 1950s.

Fig. 244A. Dunlap Oval Logo from Trademark #369,614.

Sears filed a trademark application for the Dunlap brand in 1938, and the trademark was issued as #369,614 on August 1, 1939.

The scan in Fig. 244A shows the "Dunlap" oval logo as presented in the trademark application.

The first use date was listed as January 23, 1937.

Dunlap tools began appearing in the Sears catalogs in the 1938-1939 Fall and Winter edition, and often the new brand was used for tools that had previously been offered under the Merit or Fulton brands. Dunlap tools continued to be offered into the early 1960s.

Dunlap Pliers

Dunlap "LC" 5.5 Inch Combination Pliers

Fig. 244. Dunlap 5.5 Inch Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1937-1942.

Fig. 244 shows a pair of Dunlap 5.5 inch slip-joint combination pliers, stamped with the Dunlap oval logo near the pivot, with "USA" and with a small "LC" (or "L.C") code below (see lower inset).

The overall length is 5.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles.

The handle pattern closely resembles the gripping pattern used by J.P. Danielson in the 1930s to early 1940, suggesting Danielson as the likely maker of the pliers. (See for example the Danielson 8 Inch Combination Pliers.)

The "Dunlap" brand and early Danielson gripping pattern indicate production from 1937-1942.

Dunlap "Approved" 6 Inch Combination Pliers

Fig. 245. Dunlap "Approved" 6 Inch Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1940s.

Fig. 245 shows a pair of Dunlap 6 inch combination pliers, stamped with the "Dunlap Approved Tools" oval logo near the pivot.

The overall length is 6.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the geometric "herringbone" gripping pattern on the handles. This is easily recognized as the pattern used by J.P. Danielson for their later pliers, indicating that Danielson was the contract maker for Sears.

An example of Danielson's use of this pattern can be seen on the Danielson 8 Inch Combination Pliers.

Dunlap [4494] "A.0." 7 Inch Bent Thin-Nose Combination Pliers

Fig. 247. Dunlap [4494] 7 Inch Bent Thin-Nose Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. Late 1930s.

Fig. 247 shows a pair of Dunlap [4494] 7 inch bent thin-nose combination pliers, stamped "Dunlap" with an "A.0." code near the pivot.

The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is nickel plating, with some losses due to wear and rust.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the small diamond checkered gripping pattern.

The "A.0." code has been identified as a manufacturer's code for J.P. Danielson, in use from the mid to late 1930s on adjustable wrenches.

The checkered gripping pattern also matches the pattern used on Danielson production in the 1930s and early 1940s.

Although not marked with a model number, the 1938 Craftsman Tools catalog lists these pliers as the Dunlap number 4494 "Thin Bent Nose Pliers", with a 7 inch nominal length and a 39 cent price. The description notes the polished nickel plated finish.

An earlier version of these pliers under the Merit brand can be seen as the Merit Bent Thin-Nose Combination Pliers.

Dunlap "Approved" 6 Inch Needlenose Pliers with Side Cutters

Fig. 248. Dunlap "Approved" 6 Inch Needlenose Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s+.

Fig. 248 shows a pair of Dunlap 6 inch needlenose pliers with side cutters, stamped "Dunlap" and "Approved Tools" around the pivot.

The overall length is 5.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Dunlap "Approved" 7 Inch Lineman's Pliers

Fig. 249. Dunlap "Approved" 7 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s+.

Fig. 249 shows a pair of Dunlap 7 inch lineman's pliers, stamped "Dunlap" and "Approved Tools" around the pivot.

The overall length is 7.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Dunlap "BT" Battery Pliers

The next two figures show examples of Dunlap battery pliers, both marked with a "BT" manufacturer's code.

Fig. 250. Dunlap Battery Pliers, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s to 1940s.

Fig. 250 shows a pair of Dunlap battery pliers, stamped with the Dunlap name and a "BT" code, and with "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side. The handles also have a forged-in number "5", one of which is visible in the photograph.

The overall length is 7.9 inches. The finish appears to be nickel plating, with losses due to wear and rust.

Fig. 251. Dunlap Battery Pliers, with Insets for Marking Detail, ca. Late 1930s to 1940s.

Fig. 251 shows another similar pair of Dunlap battery pliers, stamped with the Dunlap name and a "BT" code, and with "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side. One handle also has a forged-in number "7", visible in the top inset.

The overall length is 7.9 inches, and the finish is gray paint.

The manufacturer associated with the "BT" code has been identified as Vlchek Tool, based on a distinctive ratchet marked with this code.

Dunlap Wrenches

Dunlap "Bet'R-Grip" 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 252. Dunlap "Bet'R-Grip 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1938-1939.

Fig. 252 shows a Dunlap 8 inch adjustable wrench with a broached hanging hole, marked with "Bet'R-Grip" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into front, with "Forged Vanadium Steel" forged into the back side.

The shank is stamped with the Dunlap oval logo and an "A.0" code to the right of the "Bet'R-Grip" marking.

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inch. The finish is nickel plating.

The "Bet'R-Grip" marking on this example trivially identifies the wrench as production by J.P. Danielson. Note also that the forged-in markings use a "Typewriter" font, a characteristic of Danielson's wrenches during the 1930s and early 1940s.

This particular wrench is not marked with a Danielson date code, a detail that suggests production before 1939. Since Dunlap adjustable wrenches were first offered in 1938, we can estimate the production date as 1938-1939.

A similar wrench marked for the Merit brand can be seen as the Merit Bet'R-Grip Adjustable Wrench. Other examples of Danielson's "Bet'R-Grip" wrenches can be found in the section on Bet'R-Grip Adjustable Wrenches.

Dunlap "Approved" 8 Inch Stillson-Pattern Pipe Wrench

Fig. 253. Dunlap "Approved" 8 Inch Stillson-Pattern Pipe Wrench, with Insets for Edge View and Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s to Early 1940s.

Fig. 253 shows a Dunlap 8 inch Stillson-pattern pipe wrench, marked with the Dunlap oval logo with "Approved Tools" around the outside.

The shank is marked with "Drop Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the depressed panel, with "Tool Steel" on the back side.

The overall length is 7.3 closed and 8.2 fully extended, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The finish is nickel plating.

A close look at the markings on the shank shows the use of a distinctive "Typewriter" font, a marking style used by J.P. Danielson from the early 1930s (or earlier) through the early 1940s. The construction and markings on this wrench are very similar to the Danielson pipe wrenches, as for example the Danielson 10 Inch Stillson Pipe Wrench.

Dunlap "Approved" "CI" 8 Inch Auto Wrench

Fig. 254. Dunlap "Approved" 8 Inch Auto Wrench, ca. Late 1930s+.

Fig. 254 shows a Dunlap 8 inch auto wrench, marked with "Dunlap" and "Approved Tools" forged into the handle, and with a "CI" code near the fixed jaw.

The overall length is 7.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The manufacturer of "CI" marked tools has been identified as Billings & Spencer.

Dunlap "CI" 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 255. Dunlap "CI" 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. Late 1930s to Early 1940s.

Fig. 255 shows a Dunlap 25/32x7/8 open-end wrench, marked with "Dunlap" forged into the depressed panel, with "Forged in U.S.A." forged into the back side panel. The back side shank also has a forged-in code "CI" visible at the left.

The overall length is 8.1 inches. The original finish was black paint, but only a few traces remain due to extensive rust.

This wrench closely resembles the "CI" marked wrenches made for the Fulton brands. The manufacturer of the "CI" marked tools has been identified as Billings & Spencer.

Dunlap "V" 5/16x13/32 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 256. Dunlap 5/16x13/32 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s to 1940s.

Fig. 256 shows a Dunlap 5/16x13/32 open-end wrench, marked with the Dunlap name forged into the depressed panel, with "Forged in U.S.A." forged into the back side panel.

A forged-in code "V" can be seen on the back side shank as well.

The overall length is 3.7 inches, and the finish is black paint.

Dunlap "V" 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 257. Dunlap 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s to 1940s.

Fig. 257 shows a Dunlap 3/4x7/8 open-end wrench, marked with the Dunlap name forged into the depressed panel, with "Forged in U.S.A." forged into the back side panel.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is black paint.

A forged-in code "V" can be seen on the back side shank at the right.

Dunlap "V" 5-Piece Open-End Wrench Set

Fig. 258. Dunlap 5-Piece Open-End Wrench Set, with Insets for Top View and Marking Detail, ca. 1939 to 1940s.

Fig. 258 shows a Dunlap wrench set in a metal holder, consisting of five open-end wrenches with sizes ranging from 5/16 to 7/8 inches.

The wrenches closely resemble the examples in the previous figures, and each wrench is marked with "Dunlap" forged into a depressed panel, with "Forged in U.S.A." and a "V" code on the back side.

The wrench sizes are 5/16x13/32, 3/8x7/16, 1/2x9/16, 5/8x11/16, and 3/4x7/8. The lengths range from 3.8 to 8.0 inches, and the finish is black paint.

The lower left inset shows the patent notice for patent #2,181,764 stamped on the bottom of the holder. This patent was issued in 1939 to A.T. Murray, with assignment to the Moore Drop Forging Company. The patent serves to identify Moore Drop Forging as the contract maker for these tools.

This wrench set is highly significant as the earliest known connection to Moore Drop Forging as a contract manufacturer for Sears.

Dunlap "V" 11/16x3/4 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 259. Dunlap 11/16x3/4 Offset Box Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, ca. Late 1930s to Early 1940s.

Fig. 259 shows a Dunlap 11/16x3/4 offset box wrench with depressed panels, marked with "Dunlap" and the fractional sizes forged into the front panel, with "Forged in USA" and "V" forged into the back panel.

The overall length is 11.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The upper inset shows a side view of the wrench, and marks from the trimming process are visible on the edge.

This wrench is believed to represent early production by Moore Drop Forging for the Dunlap brand.

Dunlap 3/8x7/16 Ratcheting Box Wrench

Fig. 260A. Dunlap 3/8x7/16 Ratcheting Box Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1944-1947.

Fig. 260A shows a Dunlap 3/8x7/16 ratcheting box wrench, stamped "Made U.S.A." with a "Pat. - App." patent notice.

The overall length is 5.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The pending status refers to patent #2,421,038, filed by E. Schultz in 1944 and issued in 1947, with assignment to the Nagel-Chase Manufacturing Company.

Dunlap 1/2x9/16 Ratcheting Box Wrench

Fig. 260. Dunlap 1/2x9/16 Ratcheting Box Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1947+.

Fig. 260 shows a Dunlap 1/2x9/16 ratcheting box wrench, stamped "Made U.S.A." with a "Pat. 2421038" patent notice.

The overall length is 6.7 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

The patent notice is for patent #2,421,038, filed by E. Schultz in 1944 and issued in 1947, with assignment to the Nagel-Chase Manufacturing Company.

Other Dunlap Tools

Dunlap "N-Square" 5/8 Flat Chisel

Fig. 261. Dunlap 5/8 Flat Chisel, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 261 shows a Dunlap 5/8 flat chisel, stamped with the Dunlap logo and "Made in U.S.A." with the fractional size on the square shank, and with an "N-Square" manufacturer's code.

The top inset shows a side view of the chisel, illustrating the parting line on the edge of the tip, an indication of drop-forged construction.

The overall length is 6.4 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

Dunlap "N-Square" 3/8 Center Punch

Fig. 262. Dunlap 3/8 Center Punch.

Fig. 262 shows a Dunlap brand 3/8 center punch, stamped with the Dunlap logo and "U.S.A." on the square shank, and with an "N-Square" manufacturer's code.

The overall length is 4.8 inches.

Other Sears Tool Brands

Our discussion of Craftsman tools has included the mention of alternative brands such as Fulton and Merit. This section will look at the various alternate brands of tools offered by the Sears catalogs.

Later Fulton Tools

The "Fulton" brand was the most frequently mentioned tool brand in the Sears catalogs of the pre-Craftsman era. A previous section on the Fulton Tool Company has information on the brand and examples of tools from the pre-Craftsman era.

After the introduction of Craftsman tools, Sears continued to use the "Fulton" brand as a lower-cost alternative to the Craftsman selections. In this section we'll look at some of the later tools offered under the Fulton brand.

Fulton "Vanadium" 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench

Sears also offered box wrenches under its Fulton economy brand, and at one point there was even a "Fulton Vanadium" sub-brand. These wrenches are less commonly found though, indicating that the customers generally preferred the Craftsman brand.

Fig. 263. Fulton "Vanadium" 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 263 shows a Fulton "Vanadium" 1/2x9/16 offset box wrench, stamped with "Fulton" and "Vanadium" on the raised panel.

The overall length is 9.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Fulton 6216 "BT" 9/16x5/8 Half-Moon Box Wrench

During the mid 1930s the Sears catalogs offered various types of automotive specialty wrenches in the section for general mechanic's tools. Typically these were listed under the Fulton or Merit brands, although sometimes the catalog listings didn't specify a brand name. This next figure shows an example of a Fulton brand specialty wrench.

Fig. 264. Fulton 6216 9/16x5/8 Half-Moon Box Wrench, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 264 shows a Fulton 6216 9/16x5/8 half-moon box wrench, stamped with "Fulton" and a "BT" manufacturer's code on the shank.

The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel, possibly with traces of cadmium plating.

The "BT" code has been identified as the manufacturer's code for Vlchek Tool. An example of this tool marked for Vlchek can be seen as the Vlchek WBM1820 Half-Moon Box Wrench.

This style of half-moon wrench was frequently used for starter and manifold service, or for general work as an obstruction wrench.

An example of this same wrench model marked for the Merit brand can be seen as the Merit 6216 Half-Moon Box Wrench.

Fulton 6 Inch Thin-Nose Combination Pliers

The next two figures show examples of thin-nose combination pliers marked with the Fulton brand.

Fig. 265. Fulton 6 Inch Thin-Nose Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, Early to Mid 1930s.

Fig. 265 shows an earlier pair of Fulton 6 inch thin-nose combination pliers, stamped with "Fulton" in an outline box near the pivot.

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel, with pitting due to rust.

The upper inset shows the thin jaw construction and the small diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles.

The diamond checkered gripping pattern on these pliers is characteristic of production by J.P. Danielson. Although we don't have an example of this exact model by Danielson, the gripping pattern can be observed on the Danielson 8 Inch Combination Pliers.

Fig. 266. Fulton 6 Inch Thin-Nose Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, 1941.

Fig. 266 shows a later pair of Fulton 6 inch thin-nose combination pliers, marked with "Fulton" and a "312.1" code stamped near the pivot, and with a forged-in code "U-1-1" faintly visible on the lower handle.

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The upper inset shows the thin jaw construction and the small diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles.

The forged-in code and diamond gripping pattern on these pliers are characteristic of production by J.P. Danielson. The forged-in code "U-1-1" is an example of a Danielson Date Code, and the "1" year digit indicates production in 1941. These pliers provide one of the later examples of Danielson's use of the diamond checkered gripping pattern.

We next turn our attention to the "312.1" code stamped under the Fulton name. Readers familiar with the section on Craftsman Adjustable Wrenches may recall that these tools were also made for Sears by J.P. Danielson, and that some of the later adjustable wrenches were also marked with a "312.1" code. (See for example this Craftsman 6 Inch Adjustable Wrench.) The existence of this second group of tools by the same maker and with same "312.1" code marking helps confirm that the "312.1" marking is the manufacturer's code for Danielson.

Fulton 5.5 Inch Diagonal Cutters

Fig. 266B. Fulton 5.5 Inch Diagonal Cutters, with Insets for Back Side, Side View, and Marking Detail, ca. Mid 1930s.

Fig. 266B shows a pair of Fulton 5.5 inch diagonal cutters, stamped with "Fulton" in an oval logo across the pivot, and with "Drop-Forged" and "Germany" forged into the undersides of the handles.

The overall length is 5.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The upper inset shows the diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles.

We haven't found a specific catalog listing for these pliers, but Sears did import some pliers from Germany during the mid 1930s.

Fulton 1/2-Drive 13-Piece Socket Set

After the introduction of Craftsman brand socket sets, Sears continued to offer economy grade sets under the Fulton brand. This next figure shows an example.

Fig. 267. Fulton 1/2-Drive 13-Piece Socket Set, ca. Early to Mid 1930s.

Fig. 267 shows a Fulton 1/2-drive 13-piece socket set in a metal box with a sliding cover. The set consists of a sliding Tee handle, a drive plug, an extension, and ten sockets ranging from 7/16 up to 7/8 in size.

The tools are unmarked except for the socket sizes, and the only marking on the set is a decal showing "Fulton" and "Value Leader" on the top of the cover.

The socket sizes are, from left to right, 7/8, 13/16, 3/4, 11/16, 21/32, 5/8, 19/32, 9/16, 1/2, and 7/16. The sockets are marked with the fractional size, and the finish is cadmium plating.

This set is listed as the "Fulton 13-Piece Utility Set" in the Sears 1935-36 Fall-Winter catalog, and the description notes the hardened manganese steel sockets and cadmium plated finish. The price was just 95 cents.

The sockets and tools in this set have been identified as production by S-K Tools (Sherman-Klove), as the tools are basically identical to the known S-K production of the early to mid 1930s. More information on this set can be found in our article on Sherman-Klove and S-K Tools.

The Merit Brand

The Sears catalogs frequently mention "Merit" brand tools as lower-cost alternatives to the Craftsman selections, and the figures in this section will show examples of various tools marked with the Merit brand. The Merit brand is believed to have been a private unregistered brand used by Sears, rather than an independent company brand.

The reader will note that a number of the open-end wrenches here are marked with an "AF" code, a code that is also found on a number of Craftsman brand tools. This strongly suggests that the maker of the "AF" Merit tools also produced Craftsman-branded tools, which proved to be the case: the Merit "AF" 6-Piece Wrench Set below allowed us to identify Billings & Spencer as the maker of the Merit "AF" (and Craftsman) wrenches.

Some of the other manufacturers of Merit brand tools have been identified by means of manufacturer's codes or by production characteristics, including Danielson, Diamond Calk Horseshoe, and Vlchek Tool.

We'll begin with some examples of Merit open-end wrenches, very popular tools which can easily be found in used tool emporiums.

Merit "AF" 723 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 268. Merit "AF" 723 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 268 shows a Merit 723 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench, marked with an "AF" code and the Merit logo on the front, with the model number and fractional sizes forged into the back side.

The overall length is 4.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Merit 27 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench

The next two figures show examples of the Merit 27 open-end wrench, with differences noted in the manufacturer's code and marking styles.

Fig. 269. Merit "AF" 27 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 269 shows a Merit "AF" 27 19/32x11/16 open-end wrench, marked with an "AF" code and the Merit logo forged into the front, with the model number and fractional sizes forged into the back side.

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of black paint.

Fig. 270. Merit 27 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 270 shows a Merit 27 19/32x11/16 open-end wrench, marked with "Merit" forged into the front, with the model number and fractional sizes forged into the back side.

The overall length is 6.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of black paint.

The markings on this example are slightly different from the more common Merit "AF" examples. The "Merit" name is in block letters, rather than the distinctive font with bowed legs on the "M". Also, the fractional sizes have a sharply slanted divider between numerator and denominator.

Currently we're unsure whether the noted differences represent evolution over time or a different manufacturer.

Merit "AF" 729 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 271. Merit "AF" 729 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail.

Fig. 271 shows a Merit 729 5/8x3/4 open-end wrench, marked with an "AF" code and the Merit logo forged into the shank, with the model number and fractional sizes forged into the back side.

The overall length is 7.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of black paint.

Merit "AF" 31 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 272. Merit "AF" 31 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side.

Fig. 272 shows a Merit 31 25/32x7/8 open-end wrench, marked with an "AF" code and the Merit logo forged into the shank, with the model number and fractional sizes forged into the back side.

The overall length is 8.3 inches. The shank of the wrench has been painted red by a former owner, but retains traces of black paint.

This wrench was acquired as part of the 6-piece set shown in the next figure, and the patented metal holder for the set served to identify the manufacturer as Billings & Spencer.

Merit "AF" 6-Piece Open-End Wrench Set in Clip

Sears commonly offered open-end wrenches in sets with a metal holder or "clip" to keep them together. We picked up this set a number of years ago, thinking to provide an example of a complete set of Merit wrenches, but without realizing the significance of the distinctive clip. Read on for details!

Fig. 273. Merit "AF" 6-Piece Open-End Wrench Set in Clip, with Inset for Top View, ca. 1934-1938.

Fig. 273 shows a set of 6 Merit open-end wrenches in a distinctive metal clip, each marked with an "AF" code and the Merit logo forged into the shank, with the industry-standard model number and fractional sizes forged into the back side.

The wrench models and sizes are 21 (5/16x13/32), 723 (3/8x7/16), 725B (1/2x9/16), 27 (19/32x11/16), 729 (5/8x3/4), and 31 (25/32x7/8).

The overall length is 8.3 inches and the height is 1.8 inches. A former owner has repainted the wrenches and clip with red paint, but the wrenches retain traces of black paint, and the clip has traces of blue paint.

We recently rediscovered this set languishing in storage and were curious about the nicely designed sheet metal clip. Remembering that such tool holders were sometimes patented, we searched through a number of patents and were stunned to find that the clip matches the illustration for patent #2,030,148, issued to J.H. Coyle in 1936, with assignment to Billings & Spencer!

The discovery of this patented clip means that this wrench set is the long-sought "missing link" that allows us to identify Billings & Spencer as the manufacturer of the "AF" code! Even more importantly, given the close resemblance of many Craftsman "AF" coded wrenches with their "CI" counterparts, we expect to associate Billings as the "CI" maker as well.

We checked the Sears catalogs and found this wrench clip design first used with sets of Merit wrenches on page 815 of the 1934 Fall-Winter catalog, with the illustration clearly showing the concave edges on the front of the clip. The same clip design had been illustrated earlier with sets of Craftsman Vanadium wrenches on page 793 of the 1933 Fall-Winter catalog, but since the wrenches are in the depressed-panel style known for maker codes "CI" and "AF", this would still be consistent with Billings as the maker.

The Sears catalogs continue to show Merit wrench sets in a metal clip for several years after 1934, but the illustrations are not detailed enough to positively identify this clip style. After 1938 the economy wrench sets change to the Dunlap brand, so we are using a date range of 1934-1938 for the above set.

Later Merit "AF" 1027 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench with SAE 4140 Steel

The next figure shows a surprising example of the Merit brand, marked as using SAE 4140 chrome molybdenum steel.

Fig. 274. Merit "AF" 1027 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail.

Fig. 274 shows a Merit 1027 19/32x11/16 open-end wrench, stamped with the Merit logo and "SAE 4140 Alloy Steel" on the front, with "Forged in U.S.A." and a small "AF" code on the back side.

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is gray paint with polished faces.

Merit 2022A 3/8x7/16 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench

The 1932 Sears catalog offered a set of six Merit "right-angle" obstruction wrenches, with illustrations that closely match the next several figures.

Fig. 275. Merit 2022A 3/8x7/16 Obstruction Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. Early to Mid 1930s.

Fig. 275 shows a Merit 2022A 3/8x7/16 obstruction wrench, marked with the model number and fractional sizes forged into the shank, with the Merit name on the back side.

The overall length is 4.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of black paint.

The "2022A" model number of this wrench is a bit unusual, as wrenches with 3/8x7/16 sizes were typically numbered based on the 723 industry standard model.

Merit 2725B 1/2x9/16 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 276. Merit 2725B 1/2x9/16 Angle-head Obstruction Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1930s.

Fig. 276 shows a Merit 2725B 1/2x9/16 obstruction wrench, marked with the model number and fractional sizes forged into the shank, with the Merit name on the back side. (The inset has been rotated for readability.)

The overall length is 5.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Merit 2027 19/32x11/16 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 277. Merit 2027 19/32x11/16 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1930s.

Fig. 277 shows a Merit 2027 19/32x11/16 obstruction wrench, marked with the model number and fractional sizes forged into the shank, with the Merit name on the back side. (The inset has been rotated for readability.)

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Merit 2729 5/8x3/4 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 278. Merit 2729 5/8x3/4 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. Early to Mid 1930s.

Fig. 278 shows a Merit 2729 5/8x3/4 obstruction wrench, marked with the Merit name forged into the shank, with model number and fractional sizes forged into the back side.

The overall length is 7.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel, with traces of black paint.

Merit 2031 25/32x7/8 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 279. Merit 2031 25/32x7/8 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1930s.

Fig. 279 shows a Merit 2031 25/32x7/8 obstruction wrench, marked with the model number and fractional sizes forged into the shank, with the Merit name on the back side. (The inset has been rotated for readability.)

The overall length is 9.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Merit "BT" 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 280. Merit 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1937-1938.

Fig. 280 shows a Merit 1/2x9/16 offset box-end wrench with raised panels, stamped with the Merit name and a "BT" manufacturer's code on the front panel, with "Chrome Molybdenum" on the back side panel.

The overall length is 4.9 inches, and the finish is nickel plating, with extensive losses due to wear and rust.

The "BT" code has been identified as the manufacturer's code for Vlchek Tool. This tool is very similar to the Vlchek WBC1618 Offset Box Wrench, but is slightly shorter then the Vlchek examples.

Currently we don't have a catalog reference for this tool. The production date was estimated based on the assumption that the Merit brand was superseded by the Dunlap brand in 1938.

Merit 6216 "BT" 9/16x5/8 Half-Moon Box Wrench

During the mid 1930s the Sears catalogs offered various types of automotive specialty wrenches in the section for general mechanic's tools. Typically these were listed under the Fulton or Merit brands, although sometimes the catalog listings didn't specify a brand name. This next figure shows an example of a Merit brand specialty wrench.

Fig. 281. Merit 6216 9/16x5/8 Half-Moon Box-End Wrench, ca. Mid 1930s.

Fig. 281 shows a Merit 6216 9/16x5/8 half-moon box-end wrench, stamped with the Merit name and a "BT" manufacturer's code on the shank.

The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

The "BT" code has been identified as the manufacturer's code for Vlchek Tool. An example of this tool marked for Vlchek can be seen as the Vlchek WBM1820 Half-Moon Box Wrench.

This style of half-moon wrench was frequently used for starter and manifold service, or for general work as an obstruction wrench.

An example of this same wrench model marked for the Fulton brand can be seen as the Fulton 6216 Half-Moon Box Wrench.

Merit [5798/4494] 7 Inch Bent Thin-Nose Combination Pliers

The next two figures show examples of Merit bent thin-nose combination pliers from the early to mid 1930s, spanning changes in the catalog number and the adoption of manufacturer's codes.

Fig. 282. Merit [5798] 7 Inch Bent Thin-Nose Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1933-1935.

Fig. 282 shows an earlier pair of Merit [5798] 7 inch bent thin-nose combination pliers, stamped with "Merit" and "U.S.A." faintly visible inside a diamond outline, with "Forged Steel" partially readable along the top (see inset).

The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is nickel plating, with some losses due to wear and rust.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the small diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles.

These pliers are not marked with a manufacturer's code, but the maker can be identified as J.P. Danielson by the diamond checkered gripping pattern. A nearly identical later version of the pliers (under the Dunlap brand) can be seen as the Dunlap Bent Thin-Nosed Combination Pliers, and the Dunlap pliers are marked with the "A.0." manufacturer's code for Danielson.

Although not marked with a model number, these pliers were listed in the 1933 Spring and Summer Catalog as Merit number 5798 "Thin Bent Nose Pliers", with a 7 inch nominal size and a price of 33 cents. The 1933 catalog was the first listing for this model in the Merit brand; previous editions offered the same model under the Fulton brand.

By the spring of 1935 the model number had changed to 4494 and the price had been reduced to just 19 cents, and in the late 1930s this model moved from the Merit to the Dunlap brand, but retained the 4494 model number.

The absence of a manufacturer's code marking on this example suggests an earlier production date, probably in the range 1933-1935. Later production is known to have been marked with an "A.0." code for Danielson.

Fig. 283. Merit [4494] 7 Inch Bent Thin-Nose Combination Pliers, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1935-1938.

Fig. 283 shows a later pair of Merit [4494] 7 inch bent thin-nose combination pliers, stamped with "Merit" and "U.S.A." inside a diamond outline, with "Forged Steel" along the top and an "A.0." manufacturer's code at the bottom (see inset).

The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is nickel plating, with some losses due to wear and rust.

The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the small diamond checkered gripping pattern on the handles.

The "A.0." code on these pliers has been identified as a manufacturer's code for J.P. Danielson, and the diamond checkered gripping pattern would serve for identification as well.

A nearly identical later version of the pliers (under the Dunlap brand) can be seen as the Dunlap Bent Thin-Nosed Combination Pliers, and the Dunlap pliers are marked with the "A.0." manufacturer's code for Danielson.

Merit "BT" 10 Inch Waterpump Pliers

Fig. 284. Merit "BT" 10 Inch Waterpump Pliers, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 284 shows a pair of Merit 10 inch waterpump pliers, stamped with the Merit name and a "BT" code.

The overall length is 9.8 inches fully extended, and the finish is cadmium plating.

The "BT" marking has been identified as the manufacturer's code for Vlchek Tool.

An example of Vlchek's production can be seen as the Vlchek [PFH309] Waterpump Pliers.

Merit 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 285. Merit 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Early 1930s.

Fig. 285 shows a Merit 10 inch adjustable wrench, stamped with "Merit Tool" on both sides of the shank. The shank is also marked with "Tool Steel" and the size forged into the front, with a forged-in code "C-6" near the adjusting knurl, and with "Forged" and the size forged into the back side.

The overall length is 10.0 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.1 inches. The measured head thickness is 0.76 inches.

The finish is black paint with plain steel faces.

The construction and dimensions of this wrench closely resemble the Diamond "Tool Steel" wrenches produced by the Diamond Calk Horseshoe Company, such as the Diamond "Tool Steel" 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench.

Merit 6-8 Inch Double-Ended Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 286. Merit 6-8 Inch Double-Ended Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Early 1930s.

Fig. 286 shows a Merit 6-8 inch double-ended adjustable wrench, stamped with "Merit Tool" on both sides of the shank. The shank is also marked with "Tool Steel" and the sizes forged into the front, with "Forged" and the sizes forged into the back side. The back side also has a forged-in code "C-2" near the adjusting knurl on the right.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the maximum openings (left and right) are 0.7 and 1.0 inches. The measured head thicknesses (left and right) are 0.47 and 0.58 inches.

The finish is plain steel.

The construction and dimensions of this wrench closely resemble the early Diamond "Tool Steel" wrenches produced by the Diamond Calk Horseshoe Company. See for example the Diamond "Tool Steel" 6 Inch Adjustable Wrench and Diamond "Tool Steel" 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench.

Merit "Bet'R-Grip" 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench with Broached Hanging Hole

Beginning in 1934 the Sears catalogs offered both Craftsman and Merit wrenches with a distinctive feature, a double-hex broached hanging hole.

Fig. 287. Merit 10 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1934-1938.

Fig. 287 shows a Merit 10 inch adjustable wrench with a double-hex broached hanging hole, marked with "Bet'R-Grip" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the shank, with "Forged Vanadium Steel" forged into the back side.

The shank is stamped with the "Merit" brand to the right of the "Bet'R-Grip" marking (see middle inset).

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.2 inches. The head thickness was measured at 0.62 inches.

The finish is plain steel.

The "Bet'R-Grip" marking on this example trivially identifies this wrench as production by J.P. Danielson. Note also that the forged-in markings use a "Typewriter" font, a characteristic of Danielson's wrenches during the 1930s and early 1940s. Other examples of Danielson's "Bet'R-Grip" wrenches can be found in the section on Bet'R-Grip Adjustable Wrenches.

This particular wrench is not marked with a Danielson date code, a detail that suggests production before 1939.

The Cross Country Brand

The Cross Country tool brand is known by a number of examples of wrenches, and for some time we have suspected that this was a Sears brand. The Sears catalogs frequently mention Cross Country as a brand for automotive supplies such as oil, grease, and batteries, but specific listings for tools had not been found until we examined the 1933 Fall-Winter edition catalog.

The 1933 Sears catalog No. 167 includes a number of listings for Cross Country tools, including a socket set and several types of wrenches in the box-end, open-end, tappet, and obstruction styles. The illustrations closely resemble known examples from Duro/Indestro, and all of the Cross Country tools found so far appear to have been made by Duro/Indestro.

As a side note, Cross Country actually was a registered trademark of Sears in its use for automobile lubricating oil and grease. The application was filed on February 6, 1933 with serial 334,693 and published on page 264 of the September 12, 1933 issue of the Official Gazette, in a design showing the text "Cross Country" in an outline of the United States. The associated first use date was October 27, 1914. The trademark was issued as 308,252 on November 28, 1933.

The following figures show some examples of the Cross Country tools.

Cross Country 3/4x7/8 Box-End Wrench

Fig. 288. Cross Country 3/4x7/8 Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1933-1934.

Fig. 288 shows a Cross Country 3/4x7/8 box-end wrench, stamped with "Cross Country" between two geometric symbols, with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the back side.

The overall length is 11.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel, with traces of chrome plating.

This wrench can be identified as Duro/Indestro production by the use of the slanted font for the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking.

Cross Country 13/16x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 289. Cross Country 13/16x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1933-1934.

Fig. 289 shows a Cross Country 13/16x7/8 offset box-end wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the front panel, with "Cross Country" between two geometric symbols on the back side.

The overall length is 12.7 inches. The finish appears to be chrome plating, but with extensive losses due to wear.

This wrench can be identified as Duro/Indestro production by the general construction and by the use of the slanted font for the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking.

Cross Country 15/16x1 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 290. Cross Country 15/16x1 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1933-1934.

Fig. 290 shows a Cross Country 15/16x1 offset box-end wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the front panel, with "Cross Country" between two geometric symbols on the back side.

The overall length is 14.4 inches, and the finish is chrome or nickel plating.

This wrench can be identified as Duro/Indestro production by the general construction and by the use of the slanted font for the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking.

Cross Country 9/16x5/8 Battery Terminal Box-End Wrench

Fig. 291. Cross Country 916x5/8 Battery Terminal Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1933-1934.

Fig. 291 shows a Cross Country 9/16x5/8 box-end wrench for battery terminal nuts, stamped with "Cross Country" between two geometric symbols on the shank.

The overall length is 6.0 inches, and the finish is nickel plating, with losses due to wear and corrosion.

Cross Country No. 2 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 292. Cross Country No. 2 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1933-1934.

Fig. 292 shows a Cross Country No. 2 1/2x9/16 tappet wrench, stamped "Cross Country" and "No. 2" on one face, with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the other end.

The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes, with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the left face.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

This wrench can identified as Duro/Indestro production by the curved-arc "Forged in U.S.A." marking and other construction features.

Cross Country No. 3 5/8x11/16 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 293. Cross Country No. 3 5/8x11/16 Tappet Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1933-1934.

Fig. 293 shows a Cross Country No. 3 5/8x11/16 tappet wrench, stamped "Cross Country" and "No. 3" on one face, with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the other end. The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes, with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the left face.

The overall length is 8.6 inches.

This wrench can identified as Duro/Indestro production by the curved-arc "Forged in U.S.A." marking and other construction features. The model number also follows the Duro/Indestro numbering for tappet wrenches; the Duro-Chrome 5/8x11/16 tappet wrench was a D3, and the corresponding Indestro Super-Quality model was a T3.

Cross Country 1831 3/4x3/4 Angle-head Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 294. Cross Country 1831 3/4x3/4 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1933-1934.

Fig. 294 shows a Cross Country 3/4x3/4 angle-head open-end wrench, often called an obstruction wrench. The wrench is stamped "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the face, with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the back side, as shown in the inset.

The overall length is 7.5 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

This wrench is readily identified as Duro/Indestro production by the model number 1831, listed as a 3/4x3/4 obstruction wrench in the Duro-Chrome catalogs. In addition, the curved-arc "Forged in U.S.A." marking is a reliable indicator of Duro production.

This wrench is one of the earliest examples of Duro's angle-head obstruction wrenches. An example of this model branded for Duro-Chrome can be seen as the Duro-Chrome 1831 Obstruction Wrench.

A Preview of Craftsman Maker "V"

As 1945 approached Sears introduced a new "=Craftsman=" logo (the "Double-Line" logo) and a new style for their wrenches. We'll explore this style in greater depth in the successor page Craftsman Maker "V" and the Modern Era, but will show a few examples here.

Craftsman Early "V" 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 295. Craftsman Early "V" 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail.

Fig. 295 shows an early example of the Craftsman "V" series open-end wrench, a 3/4x7/8 model marked with the Craftsman double-line logo. The back side shows "Forged in U.S.A." with a raised-letter "V" code forged into the shank.

The overall length is 9.2 inches.

Craftsman Early "V" 5/8 Combination Wrench

Fig. 296. Craftsman Early "V" 5/8 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail.

Fig. 296 shows a Craftsman "V" series 5/8 combination wrench, marked "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side. As with the previous figure, the raised panels show the double-line logo, and a raised-letter "V" code is forged into the shank.

The overall length is 7.8 inches.

Craftsman Transitional 5/8x3/4 Box-End Wrench

This next figure shows an example of a transitional box-end wrench, constructed with the raised panels and general design of the later style, but without the expected double-line logo.

Fig. 297. Craftsman Transitional 5/8x3/4 Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail.

Fig. 297 shows a Craftsman 5/8x3/4 box-end wrench, marked "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 6.0 inches.

Craftsman 19/32x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 298. Craftsman 19/32x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench Showing "N4" Forge Mark, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1945.

Fig. 298 shows a Craftsman 19/32x25/32 offset box wrench with raised panels, stamped with the Craftsman double-line logo and fractional sizes on the front, with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.

The shank also has a forged-in "N4" code to the right of the panel.

The overall length is 10.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel with pitting due to rust.

The forged-in "N4" mark is frequently found on tools of apparent wartime production.