The New Britain Machine Company

Illustration of New Britain Machine Office and Factory from a 1938 Catalog.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The New Britain Machine Company was a diverse manufacturer best known as a maker of automatic screw machines, but also the maker of products ranging from garden tractors to metal work benches to hand tools. Over its long history the company sold tools under its own New Britain and None Better brands, as well as the familiar Husky and Blackhawk brands acquired from other companies.

The company has appeared previously in our article on Craftsman "BE" and H-Circle Tools as the contract manufacturer of the familiar older tools. In this page we'll take a closer look at the company, and show examples of the tools New Britain made under its various brands, including None Better and Husky.

Company History

The New Britain Machine Company was founded in 1887 in New Britain, Connecticut. As the company name suggests, its early products were machines or machinery, such as steam engines.

Automatic Screw Machines

By 1914 the company had become a major manufacturer of automatic screw machines, a specialized type of lathe that allowed rapid production of turned objects such as screws and nuts. Screw machine products were important for a wide range of industries, and the development of automatic screw machines was an important factor in the rapid growth of the automobile industry.

Fig. 1. 1923 Notice for New Britain Machine. [External Link]

Fig. 1 shows a notice published on page 1265 of the 1923 edition of Moody's Industrials, giving valuable background information on the company, as well as a statement about their current line of business.

The text notes that the company acquired the Universal Machine Screw Company in 1913, providing the patents and machinery for their automatic screw machine business.

Shop Furniture

Another product for the company was metal shop furniture, such as workbenches, stands, and stools.

Fig. 2. 1912 Advertisement for New Britain Work Bench. [External Link]

Fig. 2 shows an ad for a work bench (actually a vise stand), as published on page 429 of the July, 1912 edition of Automobile Trade Journal.

New Britain Machine also produced other types of machinery including woodworking machines, and by 1920 the company was even producing garden tractors.

By 1923 the company's major lines of business were multiple spindle automatic chucking machines, automatic screw machines, screw machine products, woodworking machinery, and pressed steel shop furniture, based on Fig. 1 above.

Socket Sets and Tools

When we first started researching New Britain Machine for this article, we thought that the company might have produced socket sets and other tools as early as 1915. However, we have been unable to document any tool production before the early 1920s, and the patent and trademark information seem to corroborate this timeline.

By 1923 the company was offering sockets and drive tools, intended primarily for retail markets such as radio repair and automotive service. (The latter especially was a rapidly growing market at that time.) These early tools were sold under the "None Better" brand, a phrase formed as a play on the letters "NB" for New Britain.

As might be expected for a maker of automatic screw machines, the sockets in these sets were turned and broached from bar steel. The sockets were designed with decorative and functional finishing touches such as chamfered ends, a dished top, and a knurled band to assist with hand-turning.

One of the company's earliest sets was the No. 3 socket set, a collection of six 1/2 hex drive sockets with an Ell handle, conveniently held in a flip-top steel box.

Fig. 3. 1923 Advertisement for None Better No. 3 Socket Set.

Fig. 3 shows an early advertisement for the None Better No. 3 socket set, as published on page 71 [External Link] of the October 25, 1923 issue of Motor Age.

The text below the illustration at the left notes that the Ell handle was 1/2 hex drive, instead of the lighter 7/16 hex drive used by some other sets.

As a way of establishing the company's credentials, the text at the right notes that the company was the maker of "New Britain Automatics", the automatic screw machines widely used in the automotive industries.

The date of this advertisement is only slightly later then the September, 1923 first use date provided with trademark #185,962 for "None Better" socket sets, suggesting that the sets were first offered around this time.

Fig. 4. 1925 Advertisement for None Better No. 3 Socket Set. [External Link]

Fig. 4 shows a later advertisement for the None Better No. 3 socket set, as published on page 143 of the September, 1925 issue of Good Hardware.

An example of a No. 3 Socket Set can be seen in a later figure.

Our earliest catalog reference for this set is the 1924 Marshall-Wells catalog.

The No. 3 socket set was still listed in the 1938 None Better catalog, along with a No. 31 set with 12-point sockets.

Licensed Patents or Stealth Acquisitions?

When New Britain began making socket sets it is known to have used two patents previously issued to other companies for socket-related tools. Specifically these are patent 1,289,558, used by R.F. Sedgley Incorporated for their "Hexall" socket sets, and patent 1,438,900, used by the H.H. Chase Company for their "Handle Lock" socket sets.

When we first found these patents marked on None Better sets, our assumption was that the patents had just been licensed. However, the recent discovery (2021) of New Britain's "Handle Lock" trademark #220,040 has forced a different interpretation, at least for the second patent.

Normally a company (H.H. Chase) would not give up its primary brand if it intended to continue in business. Furthermore, the first use date of September, 1921 claimed for this trademark indicates that New Britain considered itself as the business successor to H.H. Chase. Based on this evidence, we think it's highly likely that New Britain acquired the H.H. Chase Company.

For the case of R.F. Sedgley we don't have any direct evidence of an acquisition, since New Britain is not known to have used the "Hexall" trademark. However, the "Hexall" sets seem to have disappeared from the market sometime in the mid 1920s, making it possible that the Sedgley company (or its socket products line) had been acquired.

The problem is that extensive searches for any public record of a New Britain acquisition (of either company) during the mid 1920s have found nothing. Normally when a company is acquired it generates some mention in the various trade publications, so the absence of news about H.H. Chase is puzzling.

In fact, this situation reminds us a lot of another fruitless search: the attempt to find the details surrounding New Britain's acquisition of the Husky Corporation in the 1930s.

We could just leave this by saying that New Britain Machine had apparently mastered the art of the stealth acquisition, but as any experienced tool detective knows, when you see an interesting pattern, it's worthwhile to explore the cause. Accordingly, we've developed a hypothesis that offers a plausible explanation for the mystery acquisitions.

Our hypothesis is that New Britain Machine was a major trade creditor for all three companies (R.F. Sedgley, H.H. Chase, and Husky), and when the businesses began failing, the companies were acquired to settle the debts.

As evidence to support this hypothesis, we note that machined and broached sockets were a major component of the products sold by the three companies. Since New Britain was a leading maker of automatic screw machines, it's reasonable to think that these companies may have done business with New Britain, either by purchasing New Britain screw machines or by using New Britain as a contract manufacturer of socket blanks.

Depending on the financing arrangements, these possible business connections could have made New Britain a major trade creditor of the three companies. And in the event of a downturn or decline in the respective businesses, a negotiated sale of the companies might have been necessary to settle an otherwise unpayable debt. For this kind of sale under duress, it would have been in both parties' interest to minimize the publicity, which would explain the lack of the usual announcements in the trade press.

At this point we don't have any direct evidence to prove our hypothesis, but it seems reasonable, and hopefully we'll be able to find additional supporting evidence.

Acquisition of Husky Corporation

In mid 1933 the Husky Corporation of Kenosha, Wisconsin filed for bankruptcy, and sometime after this New Britain Machine acquired the Husky brand (and presumably production facilities) from Husky.

The Husky Corporation had been established in 1924 as the Husky Wrench Company in Milwaukee, and during the 1920s had developed a well-regarded line of socket tools. (See our article on the Husky Wrench Company for more information.)

By 1929 Husky Wrench had been reorganized as the Husky Corporation and had moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin. By this time Husky even had a cooperative sales agreement with the giant J.H. Williams, supplying the first sockets sold by the latter company.

So far we haven't been able to find any specific details regarding the acquisition of Husky, but our working hypothesis is that New Britain Machine was a trade creditor of the Husky Corporation and acquired the company as part of the bankruptcy process. (Husky appears to be another stealth acquisition, as noted in the previous section.) If any of our readers have information on this, please let us know.

After acquiring the company, New Britain began producing a line of Husky-branded chrome alloy socket tools, which were probably closely modeled on the prior Husky line. The same socket tools were also offered under the None Better brand.

Due to a lack of catalog coverage we do not have full documentation for the Husky line at this time. However, we can reconstruct the line by noting that the None Better line was basically identical, and the older None Better 5-digit model numbers (documented in Catalog No. 38) were derived by adding a "1" prefix to the Husky model number.

As a division of New Britain Machine, the Husky brand became very well known over the following decades. The Husky brand continued in production until at least the 1970s.

The Craftsman Contract

By 1935 New Britain had landed a major contract with Sears Roebuck as the supplier of sockets and drive tools for the Sears Craftsman line. These tools were first offered in the fall of 1935 and can be recognized in catalog illustrations as the well-known Craftsman "BE" socket tools. New Britain supplied socket sets (and individual tools) in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive sizes.

Although not the very earliest Craftsman-branded socket tools, New Britain's line of "BE" and H-Circle tools became extremely popular and helped establish Craftsman as a serious brand for the automotive service market. (The interested reader can refer to our article on Craftsman "BE" and H-Circle Tools for more information.)

The Craftsman "BE" and H-Circle tools were basically identical (except for markings) to the Husky and None Better socket tools of the 1930s and 1940s. (As a side note, this observed similarity actually helped to launch the Alloy Artifacts website back in 2005.)

The success of the Craftsman socket tools helped to make New Britain a major player in the market for automotive service tools.

The 1938 None Better Catalog

The earliest known catalog from New Britain Machine is the None Better catalog No. 38, presumed to be from 1938 based on the numbering convention. This catalog provides a valuable snapshot of the company's Chrome Alloy socket tools as well as its older carbon steel socket tools.

The major part of the catalog consists of an extensive selection of chrome alloy socket sets in drive sizes 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4. Individual socket tools are listed with model numbers using an alphabetic prefix for the drive size, with "M" for 1/4, "B" for 3/8, "S" for 1/2, and "HD" for 3/4.

The catalog listings also provide a cross-reference to an older set of 5-digit model numbers, showing that for example the S40 reversible ratchet had been previously identified as model number 14725. Interestingly, the older model numbers appear to have been derived by adding a "1" prefix to the Husky model number, suggesting that the None Better tools were modeled on the Husky line. The existence of the older model numbers suggests that there might be an as yet undiscovered earlier None Better catalog.

Catalog No. 38 also documents the company's older line of carbon steel socket tools, which included tools in 1/2 square drive as well as hexagonal drive sizes 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. An extensive selection of 1/2 square drive socket sets can be found beginning on page 40, and hexagonal drive "Handle Lock" sets are illustrated beginning on page 50.

The venerable No. 3 socket set in a flip-top box was still available at this time, in both its original form with hexagon sockets as well as an updated No. 31 set with double-hexagon sockets.

The catalog listings for the hex drive tools specifically mention patent 1,289,558, acquired from R.F. Sedgeley, and patent 1,438,900, the "Handle Lock" design acquired from H.H. Chase. These patents provided the foundation for the company's early socket tools in the mid 1920s.

Apart from the chrome alloy and carbon steel socket tools, the catalog also offered a small selection of wrenches in open-end, box-end, and combination styles, as well as a selection of tool boxes, work benches, and metal shop furniture.

Our catalog was acquired with a 12-page Supplement No. 38 offering tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, chisels, punches, and auto body tools. As this was the first time that these types of tools had been offered, 1938 appears to mark the transition of None Better to a full-service tool vendor.

The None Better catalog No. 39 for 1939 is generally similar to catalog No. 38, but omits the carbon steel socket tools. In addition, the tools shown in Supplement No. 38 are now part of the main catalog.

The 1940 New Britain Catalog

In 1940 the company published New Britain catalog No. 56, which is currently our earliest reference to the New Britain brand.

Catalog No. 56 may have been the introduction of "New Britain" as a brand for hand tools. The company had long used the New Britain brand for its automatic screw machines and other machinery, but had relegated hand tools to the None Better brand. With the huge success of its Craftsman "BE" tools produced for Sears Roebuck, New Britain would have seen great potential in the hand tools market, making this an opportune time to introduce its main brand. The catalog offered the wide variety of automotive service tools expected of a full-service vendor.

Socket tools were offered in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 drive sizes and are basically identical to the None Better socket tools, but with the addition of an "N" prefix to the model number. Sockets were available only in the straight-wall design, continuing a trend away from the earlier tapered walls.

During the 1940s the company continued to expand its automotive service line under the New Britain brand. After about 1945, New Britain's Sears contract declined as the older socket tools were replaced by the new "V"-series tools. Some of the older sockets were still listed in the 1947 catalog, but by 1949 only the "V" series tools were shown.

The NAPA Connection

Fig. 5A. 1945 Ad for New Britain NAPA Tools.

New Britain was a long-time tool supplier for the NAPA auto parts stores, a large retail chain managed by the National Auto Parts Association. This supplier arrangement was definitely in place by the mid 1940s, based on the magazine advertisement in the next figure, and possibly began somewhat earlier. (NAPA was established in 1925.)

The scan in Fig. 5A shows a full-page ad for New Britain tools sold through NAPA, as published on page 41 of the December, 1945 issue of Fleet Owner.

Note the "NAPA" inset at the lower left hand side.

New Britain tools sold through NAPA initially used the "New Britain" brand.

In 1963 NAPA established "Sparta" as its own brand and registered it as a trademark. New Britain is known to have provided tools with the "Sparta" brand, although there may have been other suppliers as well.

Fig. 5B. New Britain NAPA 50th Anniversary Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, 1975.

Fig. 5B shows a New Britain NAPA 50th anniversary wrench from 1975, a 9/32x5/16 ignition wrench.

The "Mustang" Brand

In the early 1950s New Britain registered the "Mustang" trademark and used it for a line of economy-grade tools, with a design very similar to the older style used for the Craftsman contract.

Acquisition of Blackhawk

In 1955 New Britain acquired the Blackhawk hand tool brand (and production equipment) from Blackhawk Manufacturing of Milwaukee. (The 1955 date was found in a newspaper article during a search of news archives.) For several years prior to this Blackhawk had been revamping its tool division, perhaps in anticipation of a sale, and the 1953 Blackhawk catalog W-101 showed numerous changes to the product line compared to prior catalogs.

Blackhawk remained an important brand for New Britain Machine for many years, and in fact New Britain adopted some of Blackhawk's designs for its own "New Britain" branded tools. (Refer to our article on Blackhawk Manufacturing for more information on this important company.)

The End of None Better?

Searches for "None Better tools" show references in the trade press (in particular Hardware Age) up through 1957, but nothing after that. We think it's likely that the None Better brand was discontinued shortly after 1957, probably in favor of the Husky brand. The first known Husky catalog was published in 1957, which was likely in preparation for the change in brand status.

By this time New Britain had added Blackhawk to its stable of brands, and all of them had a substantial overlap in functionality. Since Husky and None Better had been very similar all along, it probably made sense to let the Husky brand supersede None Better.

Acquisition by Litton

In the late 1960s New Britain Machine was acquired by Litton Industries, an industrial and aerospace company. A pact between the two companies was announced in the August 9, 1968 issue of the New York Times, and a brief note on page 32 of the January 2, 1969 issue of the Meriden, Connecticut Journal confirms that the merger had been completed on December 31, 1968.

By the early 1970s New Britain Hand Tools was operating as a division of Litton. We had originally cited a date of December 22, 1972 for the Litton acquisition, but this may have been an internal reorganization at Litton.

A Husky catalog from around 1974 notes New Britain Hand Tools as a division of Litton on the cover, and New Britain continued to operate under Litton for a number of years after the acquisition.

Later History

By 1984 New Britain Hand Tools was being closed down, and the company was purchased by the National Hand Tool Corporation (NHT) of Dallas, Texas. National Hand Tool had been founded in 1978 by Kirk K. Chow, a Taiwanese businessman with deep connections to the tool industry in Taiwan. The purchase of New Britain included both its production equipment as well as the company's brands Husky, Blackhawk, New Britain, and others.

NHT moved New Britains's production equipment to Dallas and placed at least some of the Husky and Blackhawk line back into production. Then in late 1986 NHT was acquired by The Stanley Works, and under Stanley the Blackhawk brand remains in production today. The Husky brand was eventually licensed to Home Depot and became its "house brand" for tools.

Patents

Trademarks

New Britain Machine registered and used a number of trademarks over the years. The "New Britain" name itself was registered with the first use listed as 1895, although the company catalogs usually give the founding date as 1887.

The "None Better" trademark was registered with the first use listed as 1917, although some advertisements appear to have used the mark as early as 1915.

The "Husky" trademark was originally registered in 1924 by Sigmund Mandl for the Husky Wrench Company. The trademark was acquired by New Britain with their purchase of the Husky Corporation, and then renewed in 1944.

In 1968 New Britain filed a trademark application for "Husky" in block letters, and the registration was issued as #882,793 on December 23, 1969. This is the trademark that was subsequently passed to Litton Industrial Products and eventually to Stanley and then to Home Depot.

Tool Identification

Tools made by New Britain Machine are generally easy to identify, with clear markings for the company name or one of its trademarks.

NB-Circle Logo

Fig. 6. NB-Circle Logo from Trademark #195,032.

The scan in Fig. 6 shows the NB-Circle logo as presented for trademark #195,032.

Note that when stamped on tools, the stylized "NB" letters were usually enclosed in a circle.

H-Circle Logo

Fig. 7 shows an idealized H-Circle logo constructed with vector graphics.

New Britain Machine used this logo extensively for its production of sockets and drive tools for the Craftsman brand. The use of the logo actually originated with the Husky Corporation and appeared in their catalogs from the early 1930s, and its use is believed to indicate production in the old Husky facility.

This logo was also used to mark some production for New Britain's own brands, and is believed to indicate production at the old Husky factory.

Fig. 8. H-Circle Logo.

Fig. 8 shows the H-Circle logo as observed stamped on a socket.

Manufacturing Dates

New Britain Machine did not mark date codes on its tools and the estimation of production dates may be difficult.

Model Number Changes for Socket Tools

The 1938 None Better catalog documents a change in model numbers from an older five-digit number to a new system based on drive size prefixes. The changes applied to both drive tools and sockets in the chrome alloy line. An example of the changes can be seen in a Table of Standard Tapered Wall Sockets.

The older model numbers were based on more-or-less sequential numbers, with awkward interpolations when new styles or sizes were added. Interestingly, the older numbers appear to match Husky model numbers with the "H" prefix changed to "1", as can be seen in a Husky Chrome Alloy 16-Piece Set. This suggests that New Britain may have based its chrome alloy socket tools on the Husky models.

The exact date of the change in model numbers is not known, but it would have been some time prior to 1938. The model number changes applied to both the None Better and New Britain brands, with the latter adding an "N" prefix, so that "S40" became "NS40".

The model number changes eventually were applied to the Husky line using a "C" prefix, but apparently after some delay. The Husky "Chrome Alloy" socket set noted above has the straight-wall socket style introduced around 1938, but still uses the older H27xx model numbers.

The following list may assist in estimating the production dates for tools.

• Ribbed Style Wrenches.

  During the 1930s to early 1940s New Britain made wrenches with a raised rib running most of the length of the shank.

• Socket Tools with "S" or "NS" Prefix.

  By 1938 socket tools from None Better and New Britain were using model numbers with an "S" and "NS" prefix, respectively.

• "Double-Groove" Paneled Style Wrenches.

  One of New Britain's more distinctive wrench designs featured forged panels with two deep grooves along the handle, which we'll call the "Double-Groove" style for lack of a better term. These wrenches were produced in open-end, tappet, box-end, and combination styles, and all were assigned NDF-xxx model numbers. Most of the known examples have a plain steel or black oxide finish, but some have chrome plated finishes.

  The production dates for this style are somewhat uncertain, but the midpoint time appears to be the mid 1940s. Catalog 57M from around 1947 shows the Double-Groove style in most of its wrench illustrations, and in addition, New Britain magazine advertisements from the late 1940s show the Double-Groove style for wrenches. The earlier 56M catalog from 1940-1941 shows the NDF-series wrench shanks with a single panel or rib, which is probably the earlier "Ribbed" style shown in previous figures.

  A magazine ad from August of 1948 shows that New Britain had switched to a simpler flat-shank style for its wrenches, presumed to be the successor to the Double-Groove style. Thus the likely dates of production for the Double-Groove wrenches are from the mid 1940s to around 1950, and we'll use 1944-1948 as the stated range in the following figures.

• Flat-Shank Style Wrenches.

  By the late 1940s wrench production for the New Britain brand used a simpler design with flat shanks and rounded sides. The standard finish for this style was chrome plating with polished faces.

  The flat-shank style appears to have been introduced in 1948, as a combination wrench in this style has been spotted in a magazine advertisement from August of 1948.

  The flat-shank style was also used for later production of the None Better brand.

• Discontinuation of "None Better" Brand.

  By 1957 the "None Better" brand had been discontinued, so tools marked with this brand were likely made in 1956 or earlier.

  The ending date was estimated by reviewing ads placed in trade publications, and by the publication in 1957 of the first Husky catalog.

References and Resources

Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts collection.

Catalog Coverage

New Britain tools were sold under various brands including None Better, Husky, and Blackhawk, as well the company name itself. The company issued different catalogs for the respective brands.

We're fortunate to have very extensive catalog resources for the company, as summarized in the table below.

Estimating Publication Dates

A number of New Britain and None Better catalogs are undated, but the publication date can sometimes be estimated by a length of service statement, with the starting point in 1887.

In some cases a catalog may have multiple applicable price lists, in which case the catalog date will be estimated by the earliest known price list.

Industrial Distributors

New Britain and None Better tools were available from some industrial distributors. We'll add references as time permits.

• Marshall-Wells 1924. The 1924 "Auto Accessories" catalog from the Marshall-Wells Company lists a None Better 1/2-hex drive socket set on page 3939.

Early None Better Tools

New Britain Machine used the None Better brand for its early tool production, either as the fully spelled-out words or with the equivalent NB-Circle logo. The earliest documented production for the None Better brand began in the fall of 1923 with the No. 3 socket set, a collection of 1/2-hex drive sockets with an Ell handle.

Prior to offering tools under its own brand, New Britain probably made hex-drive sockets as contract production for various customers, possibly including R.F. Sedgeley Incorporated and the H.H. Chase Company.

New Britain's early tools were made of carbon steel, the dominant material for early socket sets.

New Britain continued to offer a line of lower-priced carbon steel tools well after alloy steel had become standard for the higher-quality product line. These products were marked with the None Better or Husky brands; as far as is known, no economy tools were sold under the New Britain name.

None Better Hurley Patent Ratchet Handle

Fig. 9. None Better Hurley Patent Ratchet Handle, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1920s.

Fig. 9 shows an unusual ratchet handle with open teeth, marked with "None Better" forged into the handle, with "Made in U.S.A. by The New Britain Machine Co." and "Pat'd 8-9-21" forged into the back side.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The handle is very well made of hardened and polished steel, but its operation was a bit of a mystery until the patent document was located.

A search for patents on the stated date found this tool described by patent #1,386,708, filed in 1919 by J.C. Hurley and issued in 1921.

The patent illustration clarifies the operation of the tool, as it shows that the ratchet handle was designed to work with special sockets, each having a matching set of teeth. The sockets were held in place by a detent ball in the handle, not visible in the photograph. (This handle was acquired without any matching sockets.)

None Better 1/2-Hex Drive Hurley Patent Ratchet

Fig. 10. None Better Hurley Patent Ratchet, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, ca. 1920s.

Fig. 10 shows an example of the None Better Hurley patent ratchet with a 1/2-hex drive stud adapter, allowing it to work with ordinary hex drive sockets. The ratchet is marked with "None Better" forged into the handle on one side, with "Made in U.S.A. by The New Britain Machine Co." and "Pat'd 8-9-21" on the back side.

The overall length is 8.0 inches.

During the 1920s None Better supplied this ratchet with sets of hex drive sockets.

None Better No. 3 1/2-Hex Drive Socket Set

Fig. 11. 1924 Catalog Listing for None Better Hex Drive Socket Set.

Fig. 11 shows a catalog listing for a None Better 1/2-hex drive socket set, as found on page 3939 of the 1924 Marshall-Wells catalog.

The illustration shows a set of six sockets and an Ell-handle in a tapered metal box opening at the end.

The text notes that the sockets are heat treated and gives the sizes as 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, and 7/8.

Although the model number is not given, a 1923 Ad shown in a previous figure identifies this as a No. 3 socket set. This set is also listed in None Better Catalog No. 38 from 1938.

Fig. 12. None Better No. 3 1/2-Hex Drive Socket Set, with Inset for Top View, ca. 1923 to 1930s.

Fig. 12 shows an early None Better No. 3 1/2-hex drive socket set in a flip-top metal case, consisting of six hex sockets and an Ell-handle.

The Ell-handle is stamped "Made by The New Britain Mach. Co." and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank.

The socket sizes are, from the right, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, and 7/8. The sockets are marked only with the fractional sizes separated by a dash, e.g. 7-8. The finish is plain steel.

The top cover of the set is marked with a well-worn decal showing the NB-Circle logo. The model number for the set is not marked, but was identified by a listing in the 1938 None Better catalog.

None Better 1/2-Hex Drive Ell Handle from No. 3 Set

Fig. 13. None Better 1/2-Hex Drive Ell Handle, with Insets for Marking Detail.

Fig. 13 shows the 1/2-hex drive Ell-handle from the None Better No. 3 socket set, stamped "Made by The New Britain Mach. Co." with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

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

None Better 1/2-Hex Drive 7/8 Socket from No. 3 Set

Fig. 14. None Better 1/2-Hex Drive 7/8 Socket, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 14 shows the 1/2-hex drive 7/8 socket from the None Better No. 3 socket set, stamped "7-8" for the fractional size. The finish is plain steel.

The inset shows the cold-broached construction of the socket, with a recess below the broached area. Note the attention to detail on this socket — a chamfered lip at the top and bottom, a concave or "dished" opening on the service end, and a band of cross-hatched knurling to help with hand-turning.

New Britain Machine was a major manufacturer of the automatic screw machines (lathes) used to produce sockets of this type. By the time New Britain began producing sockets in the 1920s, turning and cold broaching had become the dominant method of socket production.

None Better No. 761 1/2-Hex Drive Socket Set

Fig. 15. None Better No. 761 1/2-Hex Drive Socket Set, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 15 shows a None Better No. 761 1/2-hex drive socket set, consisting of six double-hex sockets stored on the shank of an Ell-handle. The Ell-handle is stamped "Made in U.S.A." with a "Patented Dec. 12, 1922" patent date. The model number for the set was identified by reference to the 1938 None Better catalog.

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

The socket sizes are, from the right, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, and 7/8. Each socket is stamped "Made in U.S.A." with the fractional size, and the finish is cadmium plating.

The patent date refers to patent 1,438,900, filed by H.H. Chase in 1921. However, this patent doesn't actually apply to this set as configured — the patent is for "Handle Lock" sets in which the sockets are secured by a handle on top of a metal holder. The correct patent date should have been December 31, 1918, in reference to patent 1,289,558 describing storage of sockets on an Ell-handle.

It's possible that this Ell handle was originally part of a "Handle Lock" set, with the sockets later stored on the handle after the metal container had been lost or discarded.

None Better 1/2-Hex Drive Sockets

Fig. 16. None Better 1/2-Hex Drive 12-Point Sockets, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 16 shows a group of four 1/2-hex drive sockets, identified by a catalog illustration as None Better carbon steel sockets.

The sizes are, from the left, 1/2, 5/8, 11/16, and 3/4. The sockets are stamped "Made in U.S.A." with the fractional size (e.g. 3-4) and have a shallow knurled band around the base.

None Better No. 177 1/4-Hex Drive Socket Set

Fig. 17. None Better No. 177 1/4-Hex Drive Socket Set, with Insets for Top View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 17 shows a None Better No. 177 1/4-hex drive socket set, consisting of seven sockets with an Ell-handle fitted to a metal case. The model number is not marked, but the set was identified by reference to the 1938 None Better catalog.

The case has a decal at the end with the NB-Circle logo, shown in the inset at the right, and the center inset shows the date "Patented Dec. 12, 1922" stamped on the bottom.

The sockets range in size from 1/4 to 7/16 and are broached for 6-points, except for one special socket (third from the right) with a knurled broach. (This type of socket was needed to remove the knurled nuts used on some radios of the time.)

The sockets are marked "Made in U.S.A." with a cross-hatched band around the center, and are finished with cadmium plating.

The patent date on the bottom of the case refers to patent 1,438,900, issued to H.H. Chase and describing a socket holder case such as this one, with the sockets held in place by the handle. The 1938 None Better catalog refers to this as a "Handle Lock Container", and notes that the No. 177 set was one of their best sellers at the time. The list price was $0.57.

The Ell-handle is marked "Made in U.S.A." with a "Pat. Dec. 31, 1918" patent date, which was found to refer to patent 1,289,558, issued to R.F. Sedgley. This patent describes a hex Ell-handle which can serve as both the driver and for socket storage, with the sockets pushed onto the handle and retained by a friction ball. Although no assignment is noted in the patent document, it was apparently licensed and used by New Britain Machine.

None Better offered a similar No. 77 set with the same sockets as this set, but with the sockets stored on the handle instead of a metal case. The list price for the No. 77 set was just $0.54.

New Britain 751 Stamped-Steel Wrench

Fig. 18. New Britain 751 3/8x7/16 Stamped-Steel Box-End Wrench.

Fig. 18 shows a New Britain 751 3/8x7/16 box-end wrench of stamped-steel construction, part of a set originally held together with a screw. The wrench is marked "New Britain, Conn." and "Made in U.S.A." on the front.

The overall length is 5.0 inches.

New Britain 756 Stamped-Steel Wrench

Fig. 19. New Britain 756 15/16x1 Stamped-Steel Box-End Wrench.

Fig. 19 shows a similar New Britain 756 15/16x1 stamped-steel box-end wrench, marked "New Britain, Conn." and "Made in U.S.A." on the front.

The overall length is 7.5 inches.

The New Britain stamped-steel box wrenches are very similar to the Indestro 14x-series wrenches, suggesting that Indestro may have been the contract maker for New Britain. An example can be seen as the Indestro 144 Stamped-Steel Box Wrench.

1/2-Drive Socket Tools

During the 1930s (and possibly earlier) None Better offered a wide selection of 1/2 (square) drive sockets and tools. These tools were of carbon-steel construction with cadmium finishes, and were priced inexpensively to meet the needs of automobile owners or other occasional uses.

The tools in these sets were typically marked with just "Made in U.S.A.", without a company name or model number, and some tools may be difficult to identify once removed from the context of the set. The sockets can be identified by the characteristic parallel knurled band around the base, along with the "Made in U.S.A." marking, as other makers of similar sockets used different marking styles.

None Better 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle

Fig. 20. None Better 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle, with Inset for Construction Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 20 shows a None Better 1/2 female drive sliding Tee handle, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the head. Note that the knurled band is similar to that found on None Better sockets.

The inset shows the female-only drive head, intended for use with a drive plug or double-male extension.

This example is one of the earlier models; by 1938 the sliding Tee handles were being equipped with both male and female drive.

None Better 1/2-Drive Universal

Fig. 21. None Better 1/2-Drive Universal and Drive Plug.

Fig. 21 shows a 1/2-drive None Better double-female universal with a double-male drive plug.

Both pieces are marked "Made in U.S.A." but without a company name or model number, but the 1938 None Better catalog lists the universal as number 13590 and the drive plug as a number 12648.

None Better 1/2-Drive Open-Style Ratchet

Fig. 22. None Better 1/2-Drive Open-Style Ratchet, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 22 shows a 1/2-drive None Better open-style ratchet with a drive plug, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the flat handle.

The overall length is 9.0 inches, and the finish is a thin cadmium plating.

Although not marked with a model number, the 1937 catalog lists the ratchet as number 12654, and the drive plug as number 12648.

This ratchet was one of the drive tools included in the None Better No. 536W Socket Set below.

None Better 1/2-Drive 7 Inch Double-Male Extension

Fig. 23. None Better 1/2-Drive 7 Inch Double-Male Extension, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 23 shows a 1/2-drive None Better 7 inch double-male extension, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 7.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel, with traces of cadmium plating.

This extension is one of the drive tools from the None Better No. 536W Socket Set below.

None Better 1/2-Drive 31/32 Socket

Fig. 24. None Better 1/2-Drive 31/32 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 24 shows a 1/2-drive None Better 31/32 socket with a double-hex broaching, stamped "Made in U.S.A." on the side. The base of the socket has a simple knurled band, the design used by None Better for carbon-steel sockets in both square and hex drive.

The finish is cadmium plating.

This is one of the sockets from the None Better No. 536W Socket Set below.

None Better No. 536W 1/2-Drive Socket Set

Fig. 25A. 1938 Catalog Listing for None Better No. 536W Socket Set.

The scan in Fig. 25A shows a catalog listing for the None Better No. 536W 1/2-drive socket set, as published on page 43 of the None Better catalog No. 38 from 1938.

Fig. 25B. None Better No. 536W 1/2-Drive Socket Set, ca. Mid 1930s.

Fig. 25B shows a None Better No. 536W 1/2-drive socket set in its metal case, identified by the None Better decal and model number on the inside cover. The set includes an extensive collection of double-hex sockets, plus square sockets, drive tools, and a valve grinder attachment.

The sockets and tools are all stamped "Made in U.S.A." (except for one or two), but are not marked with model numbers or the company name. The finish is cadmium plating.

The set as shown is almost complete, based on the description in the 1938 None Better catalog. The missing pieces are the Ell handle and 7/8 double-hex socket.

The double-hex socket sizes are, from the left in the top row, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 17/32, 9/16, 19/32, 5/8, 21/32, 11/16, 3/4, 25/32, 13/16, 7/8 (missing), 15/16, and 31/32. Three more double-hex sockets appear in the lower right corral, with sizes 1 inch, 1-1/8, and 1-1/4.

The drive tools consist of a speeder, a ratchet with drive plug, an Ell handle (missing), a double-male extension, and a universal joint. Also included is a valve-grinding attachment, shown in the lower right corner.

This set was likely made in the early to mid 1930s, based on the inclusion of double-hex sockets but square rather than double-square sockets. Still earlier sets would likely have included hex sockets, and by 1938 the None Better catalog was specifying double-square sockets for this set.

Fig. 26. Close-up of Decal for None Better No. 536W Set, ca. Mid 1930s.

Fig. 26 shows a close-up of the decal on the inside cover of the No. 536W set. This is the standard decal used on sets from None Better, and a similar decal appears on the top cover of this set.

The upper part of the decal shows the NB-Circle logo with "None Better" and "New Britain" arranged in a circle. Below that is "Made in U.S.A.", then "The New Britain Machine Co." with "New Britain, Conn" at the bottom.

The model number for the set is printed below the decal.

Chrome Alloy Socket Tools

In the mid 1930s, following its acquisition of the Husky Corporation, New Britain developed a line of alloy-steel sockets and drive tools easily recognized by the forged ratchet handles and cross-hatched knurling on the sockets. These tools were probably first offered under the Husky brand, with None Better following shortly and the New Britain brand available somewhat later.

In addition, from the fall of 1935 onward this line of tools became the very well known Craftsman "BE" and H-Circle socket tools.

Since the socket tools are quite similar across all of the brands, this section will present the "classic" chrome alloy sockets and drive tools for all of the brands. Additional information on these tools can be found in our article on Craftsman "BE" and H-Circle Tools.

1/2-Drive Sockets and Drive Tools

The 1938 None Better catalog offered chrome alloy sockets in both an older tapered style and a newer straight-wall style.

Fig. 27. 1938 Catalog Listing for None Better Chrome Sockets.

The scan in Fig. 27 shows a table of the models and sizes for 1/2-drive tapered-wall sockets, as published on page 13 of the 1938 None Better catalog.

Note that the table includes both old and new catalog numbers, implying that the model numbers had recently changed to the S12xx series. In the new system, the "S" indicated tapered-wall 1/2-drive, the "12" indicated a 12-point broaching, and the last two digits gave the opening size in 32nds.

The straight-wall sockets used a similar system in a T12xx series.

This information could be useful in estimating the date of any sockets with older model numbers. Model number changes were also noted for the drive tools in the catalog.

None Better C-17 1/2-Drive 9/16 Socket

Fig. 28. None Better C-17 1/2-Drive 9/16 Socket, with Insets for Broaching and Marking Detail, ca. Mid 1930s.

Fig. 28 shows an early 1/2-drive None Better C-17 9/16 socket, stamped "Chrome Vanadium" and "Made in U.S.A." with the NB-Circle logo.

The finish is chrome plating, with some losses due to wear.

This socket is unusual in being marked "Chrome Vanadium" instead of just "Chrome", and in its non-standard (for None Better) C-17 model number. Readers familiar with the Craftsman "BE" socket line (produced by New Britain Machine) may recall that the immediate predecessors in the Craftsman line were the C-Series socket tools, suggesting that this socket may have been part of an early line intended to match the Craftsman C-Series tools.

None Better [S1240] 1/2-Drive 1-1/4 Socket

Fig. 29. None Better S1240 1/2-Drive 1-1/4 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. Late 1930s to Early 1940s.

Fig. 29 shows an early 1/2-drive None Better [S1240] 1-1/4 socket, stamped "Made in U.S.A." and "Chrome" with the NB-Circle logo.

The finish is chrome plating.

The newer model number suggests production in the late 1930s onward.

None Better S52 1/2-Drive 12 Inch Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 30. None Better S52 1/2-Drive 12 Inch Flex-Head Handle, with Insets for Marking Detail, ca. Late 1930s+.

Fig. 30 shows a 1/2-drive None Better S52 flex-head handle, stamped with the brand and NB-Circle logo on the shank, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 12.0 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The flex head has indentations for three favored positions, and the head movement is controlled by a detent ball in the shank.

New Britain NS58 1/2-Drive 12 Inch Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 31. New Britain NS58 1/2-Drive 12 Inch Flex-Head Handle, with Insets for Construction and Marking Detail, ca. Late 1930s+.

Fig. 31 shows a 1/2-drive New Britain NS58 flex-head handle, stamped with the "New Britain" name in script, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side (see lower inset).

The overall length is 11.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The flex head has indentations for three favored positions, and the head movement is controlled by a detent ball in the shank.

Husky H3884 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle

Fig. 32. Husky 1/2-Drive H3884 Sliding Tee Handle, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Mid 1930s to 1940s.

Fig. 32 shows a 1/2-drive Husky H3884 sliding Tee handle, stamped "Made in U.S.A." with the Husky underline logo and model number on the sliding head.

The overall length is 9.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

New Britain NS70 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle

Fig. 33. New Britain 1/2-Drive NS70 Sliding Tee Handle, ca. Late 1930s to 1940s.

Fig. 33 shows a 1/2-drive New Britain NS70 sliding Tee handle, stamped "Made in U.S.A." with the New Britain name in script.

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

Husky H3183 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 34. Husky H3183 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 34 shows a 1/2-drive Husky H3183 non-reversible ratchet, stamped with the Husky trademark and model number on the cover plate. The forged shank is marked "Made in U.S.A" in raised letters, with "Forged" plus the codes "T-S" and "5-46" on the back side.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The ratchet mechanism has a 20-tooth drive gear and is designed to work with a drive plug or double-male extension.

This ratchet is the Husky equivalent of the None Better S45 Ratchet.

None Better S45 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 35. None Better S45 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s.

Fig. 35 shows a 1/2-drive None Better S45 non-reversible ratchet, stamped with the brand and model number on the cover plate.

The forged shank is marked "Forged" in raised letters, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

This ratchet is basically identical to the Husky H3183 Ratchet except for the markings.

Husky H4725 1/2-Drive Reversible Ratchet

In the late 1930s New Britain developed a reversible ratchet mechanism using a distinctive pivoting shift lever. The resulting ratchets were produced for the New Britain and associated brands (None Better and Husky), as well as for the Craftsman "BE" and H-Circle product lines.

Fig. 36. Husky H4725 1/2-Drive Reversible Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1937-1940.

Fig. 36 shows a 1/2-drive Husky H4725 reversible ratchet, stamped "Pat. Pend." with the Husky logo and model number on the cover plate. The shank is marked with "Made in U.S.A" forged into the front, with "Forged" and "T 2 46" forged into the back side.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The shift lever on this example is an earlier design and extends back from a pivot pin, with a raised tab for the thumb. Although not visible in the photograph, the shifter is held in position by a detent ball under the tail of the lever.

The patent pending notice refers to patent #2,206,943, filed by W.F. Costello in 1937 and issued in 1940. Although it's likely that examples of this ratchet (and related models) were made after the patent was issued, no tools have been found with the patent number marked. (The patent was found by a search, not by reference to a tool marking.)

None Better S40 1/2-Drive Reversible Ratchet

Fig. 37. None Better S40 1/2-Drive Reversible Ratchet, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1937-1940.

Fig. 37 shows a 1/2-drive None Better S40 reversible ratchet, stamped "Pat. Pend." with the brand and model number on the cover plate. The forged shank is marked "Made in U.S.A" in raised letters, with "Forged" on the back side (not shown).

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The shift lever is an earlier design and extends back from a pivot pin, with a raised tab for the thumb. Although not visible in the photograph, the shifter is held in position by a detent ball under the tail of the lever.

The patent pending notice refers to patent #2,206,943, filed by W.F. Costello in 1937 and issued in 1940.

New Britain NS40 1/2-Drive Reversible Ratchet

Fig. 38. New Britain 1/2-Drive NS40 Reversible Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1940s.

Fig. 38 shows a somewhat later 1/2-drive New Britain NS40 reversible ratchet, stamped "Pat. Pend." with the New Britain brand and model number on the cover plate. The shank has forged-in markings "Made in U.S.A" one one side with "Forged" on the back side.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The shift mechanism on the ratchet is a later design with a short lever and thumb wheel, and matches the illustration in the 1941 New Britain catalog 56-M.

As with the previous examples, the patent pending notice refers to patent #2,206,943, filed by W.F. Costello in 1937 and issued in 1940.

Husky 1/2-Drive 16-Piece "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set

Fig. 39. Husky 1/2-Drive 16-Piece "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set, ca. Mid to Late 1930s.

Fig. 39 shows a 1/2-drive Husky 16-piece "Chrome Alloy" socket set, consisting of an H3183 ratchet, drive plug, an H2712 5 inch extension, an H2711 10 inch extension, and 12 double-hex sockets with sizes from 7/16 to 1 inch.

The set is marked with a decal showing the Husky underline logo followed by "Chrome Alloy Tools" and "America's Standard", as can be seen in Fig. 40 below.

The socket models and sizes are, in the back from the left, H2700 (7/16), H2701 (1/2), H2702 (9/16), H2844 (19/32), H2703 (5/8), H2705 (11/16), H2706 (3/4), H2845 (25/32), H2707 (13/16), and H2708 (7/8). The sockets in the main bay from the right are H2709 (15/16) and H2846 (1 inch). All of the sockets are stamped with "Made in U.S.A." and the Husky underline logo, plus the fractional size and model number. The finish is chrome plating.

The sockets in this set have a straight-wall design, a style that New Britain Machine introduced in the mid to late 1930s as a replacement for their tapered-wall sockets. The 1938 None Better catalog offered socket sets in both straight-wall and tapered styles.

Fig. 40. Top Cover of Husky 16-Piece "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set, ca. Mid to Late 1930s.

Fig. 40 shows the top cover of the Husky 16-piece "Chrome Alloy" socket set.

The decal is badly chipped but partially readable, with the Husky underline logo mostly intact at the top, and a small "Made in U.S.A." visible in the underline stroke.

The center of the decal has "Chrome Alloy Tools" in white letters against a dark background, followed by a barely readable "America's Standard". The bottom part of the decal is not readable.

The set is furnished in a sturdy steel box with a gray crackle finish. The dimensions are 11.0 inches wide by 3.7 inches deep by 2.0 inches high.

Currently we don't have a Husky catalog reference for this set. Our closest reference is the None Better No. 616 socket set, listed in the 1938 catalog with the same (None Better equivalent) tools as the set here, but with tapered-wall sockets.

Husky H3183 1/2-Drive Ratchet from "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set

Fig. 41. Husky H3183 1/2-Drive Ratchet from Chrome Alloy Socket Set, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Mid to Late 1930s.

Fig. 41 shows the Husky H3183 1/2-drive ratchet from the "Chrome Alloy" socket set, stamped with the Husky underline logo and model number on the cover plate. The shank is marked with "Made in U.S.A" forged into the front, with "Forged" plus "T-S" and "9-46" forged into the back side.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The ratchet mechanism has a 20-tooth drive gear and is designed to work with a drive plug or double-male extension.

This ratchet is the Husky equivalent of the None Better S45 Ratchet.

Husky H2711 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension from "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set

Fig. 42. Husky H2711 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension from "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set, ca. Mid to Late 1930s.

Fig. 42 shows the Husky H2711 1/2-drive 10 inch extension from the "Chrome Alloy" socket set, stamped with "Made in U.S.A." and the Husky underline logo on the head.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Husky H2712 1/2-Drive 5 Inch Extension from "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set

Fig. 43. Husky H2712 1/2-Drive 5 Inch Extension from "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set, ca. Mid to Late 1930s.

Fig. 43 shows the Husky H2712 1/2-drive 5 inch extension from the "Chrome Alloy" socket set, stamped with "Made in U.S.A." and the Husky underline logo on the head.

The overall length is 5.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Husky Small 1/2-Drive H27xx Sockets from "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set

Fig. 44. Husky Small 1/2-Drive H27xx Sockets from "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set, with Inset for Broaching, ca. Mid to Late 1930s.

Fig. 44 shows a group of three smaller 1/2-drive Husky H27xx sockets from the "Chrome Alloy" socket set. The socket models and sizes are, from the left, H2700 (7/16), H2701 (1/2), and H2702 (9/16). The sockets are marked with "Made in U.S.A." and the Husky underline logo, plus the fractional size and model number.

The sockets have straight walls at the base with a reduced diameter on the upper part to provide clearance at the service end. The base has a band of finely cross-hatched knurling, a primarily cosmetic rather than functional feature.

The finish is chrome plating with polished walls.

Husky Large 1/2-Drive H27xx Sockets from "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set

Fig. 45. Husky Large 1/2-Drive H27xx Sockets from "Chrome Alloy" Socket Set, with Inset for Broaching, ca. Mid to Late 1930s.

Fig. 45 shows a group of three large 1/2-drive Husky H27xx (and H28xx) sockets from the "Chrome Alloy" socket set. The socket models and sizes are, from the left, H2708 (7/8), H2709 (15/16), and H2846 (1 inch). The sockets are marked with "Made in U.S.A." and the Husky underline logo, plus the fractional size and model number.

These larger sockets have straight walls with a constant diameter. The base has a band of finely cross-hatched knurling, a primarily cosmetic rather than functional feature.

The finish is chrome plating with polished walls.

3/8-Drive Sockets and Drive Tools

Husky H3721 3/8-Drive 10 Inch Flex Handle

Fig. 46. Husky H3721 3/8-Drive 10 Inch Flex Handle, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Mid 1930s to 1940s.

Fig. 46 shows a 3/8-drive Husky H3721 10 inch flex-head handle, stamped with the Husky logo and model on one side, with "Made in U.S.A" on the back side.

The overall length is 9.8 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The knurled handle is drilled for a 5/16 diameter cross-bar.

None Better B70 3/8-Drive Sliding Tee Handle

Fig. 47. None Better B70 3/8-Drive Sliding Tee Handle, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 47 shows a 3/8-drive None Better B70 sliding Tee breaker bar, stamped with the None Better brand and "Made in U.S.A" on the sliding head.

The overall length is 7.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NB40 3/8-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 48. New Britain NB40 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1940s.

Fig. 48 shows a 3/8-drive New Britain NB40 ratchet, stamped with the model number and New Britain name in script on the cover plate. The handle is marked "Forged" in forged raised letters, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NBF16 3/8-Drive 1/2 Universal Socket

Fig. 49. New Britain NBF16 3/8-Drive 1/2 Universal Socket, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 49 shows a 3/8-drive New Britain NBF16 1/2 universal socket, stamped with the New Britain name in script and "Made in U.S.A." on the base, with the fractional size as "1-2" on the socket wall.

1/4-Drive Sockets and Drive Tools

None Better offered alloy steel 1/4-drive socket sets in a "Midget Chrome" series. The 1938 catalog offered sets Nos. 600, 601, 603, 604, and 606 in small metal boxes, plus a No. 1600 set in a metal clip.

None Better M50 1/4-Drive Flex-Head Handles

The next two figures show examples of None Better 1/4-drive flex-head handles, with some differences in markings.

Fig. 50. None Better M50 1/4-Drive Flex-Head Handle, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1937.

Fig. 50 shows a 1/4-drive None Better M50 flex-head handle, stamped with "None Better" and the model number on the shank, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

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

The tool was acquired as part of the None Better No. 600 Socket Set shown in the another figure.

Fig. 51. None Better [M50] 1/4-Drive Flex-Head Handle, ca. 1938 to Early 1940s.

Fig. 51 shows a similar 1/4-drive [None Better M50] flex-head handle, stamped "Made in U.S.A." with the NB-circle logo on the shank.

The overall length is 5.8 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

The tool was acquired as part of the None Better No. 1600 Socket Set shown in the another figure. The absence of the company name and model number marking probably indicates that the tool was made as contract production.

New Britain NM51 1/4-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 52. New Britain NM51 1/4-Drive Flex-Head Handle, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s to 1940s.

Fig. 52 shows a 1/4-drive New Britain NM51 flex-head handle, stamped with the New Britain name in script, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

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

None Better No. 600 1/4-Drive Socket Set

None Better offered 1/4-drive socket sets in several models, all with the same selection of sockets but with varying numbers of drive tools.

Fig. 53. None Better No. 600 1/4-Drive Socket Set, ca. 1937.

Fig. 53 shows a None Better No. 600 1/4-drive socket set, a modest collection consisting of an M50 flex-head handle, an M30 cross-bar, six hex (later double-hex) sockets, and three double-square sockets. Our set as acquired was missing the cross-bar and three sockets.

The hex socket models and sizes were M608 (1/4), M609 (9/32), M610 (5/16, missing), M611 (11/32), M612 (3/8, missing), and M614 (7/16). The set also included three double-square sockets, with models and sizes M808 (1/4, missing), M810 (5/16), and M812 (3/8).

The steel case has dimensions 6.8 inches long by 2.3 inches wide by 1.1 inches high.

This set was likely made around 1937, based on the inclusion of hexagon sockets and plain steel finishes, but with the newer model numbers and double-square sockets. By 1938 the 1/4-drive sets were specified with double-hex sockets instead of the older hexagon broaching, and chrome-plated finishes were standard as well. In addition, the 1938 catalog documented the change in model numbers, implying that it was a recent change.

None Better No. 1600 1/4-Drive Socket Set

The None Better No. 1600 set contained the same tools as the No. 600 set, but was supplied in an open metal clip with thumbscrews to secure the tools.

Fig. 54. 1938 Catalog Listing for None Better No. 1600 Socket Set.

The composite scan in Fig. 54 shows a catalog listing for the None Better No. 1600 socket set, as published on page 37 of the None Better catalog No. 38.

The 1/4-drive set consisted of a flex handle, a cross-bar, six double-hex sockets, and three double-square sockets. (Early versions of the set may have had hexagon and square sockets.) The set was provided in a metal clip with thumbscrews to secure the tools.

Fig. 55. None Better 1/4-Drive No. 1600 Socket Set, ca. 1938 to Early 1940s.

Fig. 55 shows a None Better 1/4-drive No. 1600 socket set in its metal clip. Our set as acquired was missing the cross-bar and two of the thumbscrews.

The tools in the set were all marked with the NB-Circle logo, but were not marked with model numbers.

The socket sizes are, from the left and double-hex unless noted, 3/8 (double-square), 7/16, 3/8, 5/16 (double-square), 11/32, 5/16, 1/4 (double-square), 9/32, and 1/4.

The dimensions of the metal container are 5.6 inches wide by 0.6 inches deep by 1.7 inches high.

Although not marked with a patent notice, the holder is covered by patent #2,030,138, filed by W.F. Costello in 1935 and issued in 1936, with assignment to the New Britain Machine Company.

None Better 1/4-Drive Sockets from No. 1600 Set

Fig. 56. None Better 1/4-Drive Sockets from No. 1600 Set, with Inset for Top View, ca. 1938 to Early 1940s.

Fig. 56 shows the four largest sockets from the No. 1600 set.

From the left the sizes are 3/8 (double-square), 7/16 (double-hex), 3/8 (double-hex), and 5/16 (double-square). Although not marked with a model number, the models would be M812, M1214, M1212, and M810 respectively.

The sockets are stamped "Chrome" and "Made in U.S.A." with the NB-Circle logo, and the fractional sizes are in the form "3-8". (We positioned the sockets to show different parts of the markings.)

The finish is chrome plating, with some loss due to wear.

Note the slightly tapered upper walls of the sockets and the band of cross-hatched knurling at the base, both part of the design for None Better's "Standard" sockets at that time.

Husky 1/4-Drive Socket Set

Fig. 57. Husky 1/4-Drive Socket Set, ca. Late 1930s.

Fig. 57 shows a similar but somewhat later Husky 1/4-drive socket set in a metal case. The set as found includes a H4598 flex-head handle, five hex/double-hex sockets, and three double-square sockets. We currently don't have a catalog reference for this set, but the original contents likely included a cross-bar for the flex handle, plus one additional 9/32 hex socket.

The socket models and sizes are, from the left, H3600 (1/4), H3601 (9/32, missing), H3602 (5/16), H3603 (11/32), H3604 (3/8), and H3605 (7/16). The double-square sockets continue the model number sequence with H3606 (1/4), H3607 (5/16), and H3608 (3/8). The sockets are all marked "Made in U.S.A." with the Husky logo, and several are also marked "Chrome". The finish is chrome plating.

The steel case is the same size as the one in the previous figure, 6.8 inches long by 2.3 inches wide by 1.1 inches high.

This set was likely made in the late 1930s, based on the use of double-hex sockets and chrome-plated finishes. Note that this set uses the older Husky H-series model numbers, with sequential rather than size-based numbers; later Husky tools had model numbers similar to the New Britain and None Better product lines.

Husky H5126 1/4-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 58. Husky H5126 1/4-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Mid 1930s to 1940s.

Fig. 58 shows a 1/4-drive Husky H5126 reversible ratchet in a somewhat unusual configuration with a female drive gear. The cover plate is stamped with the Husky logo and model number, and the forged body is marked "Forged" on one side with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

3/4-Drive Sockets and Drive Tools

New Britain NH1248 3/4-Drive 1-1/2 Socket

Fig. 59. New Britain NH1248 3/4-Drive 1-1/2 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. 1930s to Early 1940s.

Fig. 59 shows a 3/4-drive New Britain NH1248 1-1/2 socket, marked "Made in U.S.A." with the "New Britain" name in script.

The finish is plain steel with polished walls.

This socket is decorated with a band of cross-hatched knurling, a style in use from the early 1930s through mid 1940s.

None Better Wrenches

By 1938 None Better was offering alloy-steel wrenches in open-end, box-end, and combination designs.

In the 1930s the None Better wrenches were offered in a mix of styles, with some showing smooth shanks and others with raised oval panels on both sides.

Some of this variation may have been due to the use of contract production from different makers. In particular, Barcalo Manufacturing is believed to have supplied the raised-panel wrenches.

Open-End Wrenches

None Better 4734 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 60. None Better 4734 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 60 shows a None Better 4734 19/32x11/16 open-end wrench, stamped with the None Better name and model on the shank, with "Chrome Vanadium" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side faces.

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Box-End Wrenches

Fig. 61. 1938 Catalog Listing for None Better Long Offset Box Wrenches.

The scan in Fig. 61 shows a catalog listing for long offset box wrenches, as published on page 5 of the 1938 None Better catalog. The wrenches were available in six sizes with two finish options, full polished or cadmium finish.

The illustration in this listing shows an interesting and valuable detail. If you enlarge the image, the text "Chrome Molybdenum" (reversed) is faintly visible, along with what appear to be two "size panels" near the offset bends.

The wrench appears to be very similar to the Chrome Molybdenum Mystery Wrench whose maker had been unknown, but which has now been determined to be Barcalo.

We haven't seen this style of wrench marked for None Better, but if the wrenches had been marked with a decal instead of a stamped marking, that might explain the mystery wrenches.

None Better 4950 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 62. None Better 4950 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s to Early 1940s.

Fig. 62 shows a None Better 4950 5/8x11/16 offset box wrench with raised panels on the shank, stamped with the None Better name on one side with "Forged Vanadium" on the back side. (The inset appears in its natural orientation.)

The overall length is 10.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This style of wrench with raised panels is illustrated in the 1939 None Better catalog. The design and construction of this wrench are virtually identical to an example from Barcalo Manufacturing, shown as the Barcalo "Forged Vanadium" Offset Box Wrench in our article on Barcalo.

None Better 1247X 6-Piece Offset Box-End Wrench Set

By 1948 None Better was offering box-end wrenches with a flat shank style.

Fig. 63. 1948 Catalog Listing for None Better 1247X Wrench Set.

The scan in Fig. 63 shows a catalog listing for the None Better 1246X (5-piece) and 1247X (6-piece) offset box wrench sets, as published on page 28 of catalog A-48 from 1948.

Although not mentioned here, an earlier page in the catalog noted the use of alloy steel for box-end wrenches.

We have a 1247X wrench set and are preparing it for display.

None Better 8723 "H-Circle" 3/8x7/16 Offset Box-End Wrench

New Britain made an extensive line of socket tools for the Sears Craftsman brand during the 1930s and 1940s, and the tools were marked with either a "BE" or H-Circle manufacturing code. The next several figures show that New Britain also used the H-Circle mark on some of their own tools. The likely meaning is that it indicates production at the old Husky facility, which is known to have used an H-Circle mark in the early 1930s.

Fig. 64. None Better 8723 3/8x7/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, ca. Late 1940s to 1950s.

Fig. 64 shows a None Better 8723 3/8x7/16 offset box-end wrench, stamped "None Better" with an H-Circle logo to the right of the model number, and with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 7.8 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.

This wrench was acquired as part of a No. 1247X 6-piece wrench set in a plastic roll-up pouch, all marked with the H-Circle logo.

None Better 8725-B "H-Circle" 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 65. None Better 8725-B 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1940s to 1950s.

Fig. 65 shows a None Better 8725-B 1/2x9/16 offset box-end wrench, stamped "None Better" with an H-Circle logo to the right of the model number, and with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 8.7 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.

This wrench was acquired as part of a No. 1247X 6-piece wrench set in a plastic roll-up pouch, all marked with the H-Circle logo.

This style of wrench is illustrated in the 1948 None Better catalog 48M, which notes that wrenches are made of alloy steel. This flat shank style without an explicit alloy steel marking is probably representative of the production from the late 1940s to 1950s.

None Better 8729-A 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench

This next figure shows another example from the No. 1247X wrench set.

Fig. 66. None Better 8729-A 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1940s to 1950s.

Fig. 66 shows a None Better 8729-A 3/4x25/32 offset box-end wrench, stamped "None Better" with an H-Circle logo to the right of the model number, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 11.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.

Combination Wrenches

By 1938 the None Better catalog was offering combination wrenches in six sizes from 7/16 to 3/4.

In the following year the selection had expanded to nine sizes, and the illustration in the 1939 catalog showed the wrenches with a raised panel.

None Better 4739 Combination Wrench

Fig. 67. None Better 4739 7/16 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Late 1930s to Early 1940s.

Fig. 67 shows a None Better 4739 7/16 combination wrench with raised panels on the shank, marked "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the back side panel.

The overall length is 5.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

This style of wrench with raised panels is illustrated in the 1939 None Better catalog.

This wrench closely resembles the combination wrenches produced by Barcalo Manufacturing during the mid 1930s to early 1940s. See for example the Barcalo "Chrome Vanadium" 3/4 Combination Wrench in our article on Barcalo.

The New Britain Brand

Our earliest reference to the New Britain brand is catalog No. 56 for 1940. The catalog offers a wide selection of chrome alloy socket tools, as well as wrenches, pliers, chisels, screwdrivers, and other service tools.

The catalog illustrations show open-end, box-end, and combination wrenches with raised parallelogram panels.

Open-End Wrenches

New Britain produced open-end wrenches in the NDF-1x model number series.

New Britain NDF-10 1/4x5/16 Open-End Wrench, Ribbed Style

Fig. 68. New Britain NDF-10 1/4x5/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1940s.

Fig. 68 shows a New Britain NDF-10 1/4x5/16 open-end wrench with a raised panel or rib, stamped with the company name in script on the front with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 4.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-14 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench, Ribbed Style

Fig. 69. New Britain NDF-14 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1940s.

Fig. 69 shows a New Britain NDF-14 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench with a raised panel or rib, stamped with the company name in script on the front with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 5.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-18 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrenches

The next figures show two generations of the New Britain NDF-18 open-end wrench.

Fig. 70. New Britain NDF-18 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1940s.

Fig. 70 shows a New Britain NDF-18 1/2x9/16 open-end wrench with a raised panel or rib, stamped with the company name in script on the front with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

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

Fig. 71. New Britain NDF-18 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1950s to 1960s.

Fig. 71 shows a New Britain NDF-18 1/2x9/16 open-end wrench in the flat-shank style, stamped with the New Britain name in script, with "Alloy Steel" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 6.4 inches. The finish is chrome plating, with losses due to wear and rust.

New Britain NDF-30 15/16x1 Open-End Wrench, Ribbed Style

Fig. 72. New Britain NDF-30 15/16x1 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1940s.

Fig. 72 shows a New Britain NDF-30 15/16x1 open-end wrench with a raised panel or rib, stamped with the company name in script on the front with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 10.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-32 1-1/16x1-1/8 Open-End Wrench, Ribbed Style

Fig. 73. New Britain NDF-32 1-1/16x1-1/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1940s.

Fig. 73 shows a New Britain NDF-32 1-1/16x1-1/8 open-end wrench with a raised panel or rib, stamped with the company name in script on the front with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 11.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-33 1x1-1/8 Open-End Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 74. New Britain NDF-33 1x1-1/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 74 shows an example of the Double-Groove style, a New Britain NDF-33 1x1-1/8 open-end wrench, with the back side marked "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." in raised letters.

The overall length is 11.5 inches.

New Britain NDF-518 "Nut Master" 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench

In the mid 1950s New Britain brought out a line of contoured-opening wrenches under the "Nut Master" brand, based on 1954 patents by F. Diebold. Although the wrench openings look as though they would apply to some exotic spline connector, the design was actually intended as an improved type of open-end wrench, with the contact made on the flats rather than at the corner. The Diebold patents thus anticipate the later "Loc-Rite" patent #3,125,910 and the "Flank-Drive" patent #3,273,430 of Snap-On.

Fig. 75. New Britain NDF-518 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Mid 1950s to 1960s.

Fig. 75 shows an example of the "Nut Master" line, a New Britain NDF-518 1/2x9/16 wrench stamped with the company name in script, with "Pat. No. 2671366 & 2685219" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 6.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The patent notices refer to patents #2,671,368, and #2,685,219, both issued to F. Diebold in 1954. (Note that the first patent number stamped on the tool is incorrect in the last digit; our citation shows the correct patent number.)

New Britain NDF-522 "Nut Master" 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 76. New Britain NDF-518 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Mid 1950s to 1960s.

Fig. 76 shows another example of the "Nut Master" line, a New Britain NDF-522 5/8x3/4 wrench stamped with the company name in script, with "Pat. No. 2671366 & 2685219" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 7.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Tappet Wrenches

New Britain produced tappet wrenches in an NDF-8x model series.

New Britain NDF-82 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench, Ribbed Style

Fig. 77. New Britain NDF-82 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1940s.

Fig. 77 shows a New Britain NDF-82 1/2x9/16 tappet wrench in the ribbed style, stamped with the company name in script on the front with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 9.9 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-84 5/8x11/16 Tappet Wrenches

The next figures show two generations of the NDF-84 tappet wrench.

Fig. 78. New Britain NDF-84 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 78 shows an earlier New Britain NDF-84 5/8x11/16 tappet wrench in the double-groove style, with markings "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

The overall length is 9.8 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Fig. 79. New Britain NDF-84 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, ca. 1950s to 1960s.

Fig. 79 shows a later New Britain NDF-84 5/8x11/16 tappet wrench with a flat shank, stamped "New Britain" in a script font with the model number and fractional sizes on the shank, with "Alloy Steel" "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Box-End Wrenches

New Britain produced box-end wrenches in four configurations, the NDF-1xx offset box wrenches, the NDF-2xx angled box wrenches, the NDF-3xx short offset box wrenches, and the NDF-4xx short angled box wrenches.

New Britain NDF-102 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 80. New Britain NDF-102 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 80 shows a New Britain NDF-102 1/2x9/16 offset box wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side. (The lower inset has been left in its natural orientation.)

The overall length is 8.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-106 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 81. New Britain NDF-106 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 81 shows a New Britain NDF-106 3/4x25/32 offset box wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side. (The lower inset has been left in its natural orientation.)

The overall length is 11.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-110 13/16x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 82. New Britain NDF-110 13/16x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 82 shows a New Britain NDF-110 13/16x7/8 offset box wrench in the double-groove style, marked with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the shank, and with the New Britain name in script stamped on the back side.

The overall length is 12.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-114 1-1/16x1-1/8 Offset Box-End Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 83. New Britain NDF-114 1-1/16x1-1/8 Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 83 shows a New Britain NDF-114 1-1/16x1-1/8 offset box wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side. (The lower inset has been left in its natural orientation.)

The overall length is 15.7 inches.

New Britain NDF-200 3/8x7/16 Box-End Wrenches

The next figures show two generations of the NDF-200 box-end wrench.

Fig. 84. New Britain NDF-200 3/8x7/16 Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. Early to Mid 1940s.

Fig. 84 shows an earlier New Britain NDF-200 3/8x7/16 box-end wrench in the ribbed style, stamped "New Britain" in a script font with the model number and fractional sizes on the shank, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 7.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Fig. 85. New Britain NDF-200 3/8x7/16 Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, ca. 1950s to 1960s.

Fig. 85 shows a later New Britain NDF-200 3/8x7/16 box-end wrench in the flat-shank style, stamped "New Britain" in a script font with the model number and fractional sizes on the shank, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 7.8 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

New Britain NDF-201 5/8x11/16 Box-End Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 86. New Britain NDF-201 5/8x11/16 Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 86 shows a New Britain NDF-201 5/8x11/16 box wrench in the double-groove style, stamped "New Britain" in a script font with the model number and fractional sizes on the shank, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

The overall length is 9.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-210 13/16x7/8 Box-End Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 87. New Britain NDF-210 13/16x7/8 Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 87 shows a New Britain NDF-210 13/16x7/8 box wrench in the double-groove style, stamped "New Britain" in a script font with the model number and fractional sizes on the shank, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

The overall length is 11.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

New Britain NDF-304 5/8x11/16 Short Offset Box-End Wrench

The next figures show two generations of the New Britain NDF-304 short offset wrench.

Fig. 88. New Britain NDF-304 5/8x7/8 Short Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1950.

Fig. 88 shows a New Britain NDF-304 5/8x11/16 short offset box wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain script name on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

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

Fig. 89. New Britain NDF-304 5/8x7/8 Short Offset Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1950s to 1960s.

Fig. 89 shows a later New Britain NDF-304 5/8x11/16 short offset box wrench in the flat-shank style, stamped with the New Britain script name and fractional sizes on the shank, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

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

New Britain NDF-404 5/8x11/16 Short Box-End Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 90. New Britain NDF-404 5/8x7/8 Short Box-End Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 90 shows a New Britain NDF-404 5/8x11/16 short box wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain script name on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

The overall length is 5.1 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Combination Wrenches

New Britain produced wrenches for its various brand lines in a number of different styles.

New Britain NDF-58 5/8 Combination Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 91. New Britain NDF-58 5/8 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 91 shows a New Britain NDF-58 5/8 combination wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

The overall length is 7.8 inches, and the finish is polished steel.

New Britain NDF-60 11/16 Combination Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 92. New Britain NDF-60 11/16 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 92 shows a New Britain NDF-60 11/16 combination wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

The overall length is 8.7 inches, and the finish is polished steel.

New Britain NDF-62 3/4 Combination Wrenches

The next figures show two generations of the New Britain NDF-62 combination wrench.

Fig. 93. New Britain NDF-62 3/4 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 93 shows a New Britain NDF-62 3/4 combination wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

The overall length is 9.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Fig. 94. New Britain NDF-62 3/4 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1950s to 1960s.

Fig. 94 shows a later New Britain NDF-62 3/4 combination wrench in the flat-shank style, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Alloy Steel" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 9.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends and faces.

New Britain NDF-63 13/16 Combination Wrench, Flat-Shank Style

Fig. 95. New Britain NDF-63 13/16 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1950s to 1960s.

Fig. 95 shows a New Britain NDF-63 13/16 combination wrench with a flat shank, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Alloy Steel" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel with polished ends and faces.

New Britain NDF-64 7/8 Combination Wrenches

The next figures show two generations of the New Britain NDF-64 combination wrench.

Fig. 96. New Britain NDF-64 7/8 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 96 shows an earlier New Britain NDF-64 7/8 combination wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

The overall length is 10.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Fig. 97. New Britain NDF-64 7/8 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1950 to 1960s.

Fig. 97 shows a later New Britain NDF-64 7/8 combination wrench in the flat-shank style, stamped with the New Britain name in script plus the model number and fractional size on the front, with "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.

The overall length is 10.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

New Britain NDF-66 15/16 Combination Wrench, Double-Groove Style

Fig. 97B. New Britain NDF-66 15/16 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, ca. 1944-1948.

Fig. 97B shows a New Britain NDF-66 15/16 combination wrench in the double-groove style, stamped with the New Britain name in script on the front, with "Forged" and "Made in U.S.A." forged into the back side.

The overall length is 10.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel, with pitting due to rust.

Other Tools

New Britain P-41 Battery Pliers

Fig. 98. New Britain P-41 Battery Pliers.

Fig. 98 shows a pair of New Britain P-41 battery pliers, stamped "USA" with the New Britain name in script.

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