Wright Tool and Forge Company

Pre-1940 Tools

Some of Wright's earlier drive tools were also marked with letter codes that probably represent dates, but we're not sure of the coding and don't have enough examples (or catalogs) to figure it out.

Other early tools such as wrenches generally were not marked with letter codes, though some exceptions exist, as you will see in the figures below.

For tools without date codes, the estimation of manufacturing dates must rely on other information such as tool design, patents, or catalog illustrations.

References and Resources

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

Wright Tool maintains a website at www.wrighttool.com [External Link], and readers can refer there for more information on the company's current operations and products.

Catalog Resources

Our catalog resources for Wright Tool are summarized in the table below.

Early Tools

Early P3 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 1A. Wright Early P3 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench, ca. Late 1920s.

Fig. 1A shows an early Wright P3 1/2x9/16 open-end wrench, stamped with "Wright" and the model number on the shank, and with an early "O" date code. The faces are stamped "9/16 Op. 3/8 S.A.E." and "1/2 Op. 5/16 S.A.E.", references to the older S.A.E. size convention.

The overall length is 6.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The use of the S.A.E. sizes suggests an early production date for this example.

Early Q2 1/2 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 1B. Wright Early Q2 1/2 Tappet Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 1B shows an early Wright Q2 1/2 tappet wrench, stamped with "Wright" and the model number on the shank, and with an early "V" date code.

The overall length is 9.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Early Q4 9/16 Tappet Wrench

Fig. 1C. Wright Early Q4 9/16 Tappet Wrench, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 1C shows an early Wright Q4 9/16 tappet wrench, stamped with "Wright" and the model number on the shank, and with an early "W" date code.

The overall length is 9.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Early BW30 1/2x9/16 Box-End Wrench

Fig. 2. Wright Early BW30 1/2x9/16 Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 2 shows an early Wright BW30 1/2x9/16 box-end wrench, stamped "Wright" with the model number and fractional sizes.

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

Early 1/2-Drive 15/16 Socket

Fig. 3. Wright Early 1/2-Drive 15/16 Socket, with Insets for Broaching and Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 3 shows a 1/2-drive Wright 15/16 socket, marked "Wright" with the fractional size and an "S" code, but with no model number.

The finish is plain steel with a rough machined surface.

Early N1 5/8-Drive Sliding Tee Breaker Bar

By the early 1930s Wright was offering sockets and tools in 5/8-drive as its heavy-duty line.

Fig. 4. Wright N1 5/8-Drive Sliding Tee Handle, with Insets for Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 4 shows an early 5/8-drive Wright N1 sliding Tee handle, stamped "Wright" with the model number and an "L" code on the drive head.

The overall length is 18.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Early N2 5/8-Drive 8 Inch Extension

Fig. 5. Wright N2 5/8-Drive 8 Inch Extension, with Insets for Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 5 shows an early 5/8-drive Wright N2 8 inch extension, marked "Wright" with the model number and a "T" code.

The overall length is 8.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel with a rough forged surface.

Early 5/8-Drive 1-7/16 Hex Socket

Fig. 6. Wright Early 5/8-Drive 1-7/16 Hex Socket, with Insets for Broaching and Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 6 shows an early 5/8-drive Wright 1-7/16 hex socket, marked "Wright" with the fractional size and an "N" code.

The finish is plain steel, with a rough forged and machined (turned) surface.

Early S-166 1/2-Drive 1-1/8 Socket

Fig. 7. Wright S-166 1/2-Drive 1-1/8 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 7 shows a 1/2-drive Wright S-166 1-1/8 socket, marked "Barberton Ohio" but without a date code.

The finish is plain steel with a rough forged surface.

Sockets and Drive Tools

S-160A 1/2-Drive 29/32 Socket

Fig. 8. Wright S-160A 1/2-Drive 29/32 Socket, with Insets for Broaching and Marking Detail, 1946.

Fig. 8 shows a 1/2-drive Wright S-160A 29/32 socket, marked "Barberton O. USA" with a "46+" date code.

The finish is chrome plating with polished upper walls.

S-16x 1/2-Drive Sockets, Post-1955 Style

In 1955 (or earlier) Wright changed the design of its 1/2-drive sockets to use a simple cylindrical form for some of the larger (between 5/8 and 1 inch) sizes, in place of the reduced base used previously. This was probably done to simplify the finishing steps, as the simpler shape could be given a fully polished finish.

Sockets in the smaller sizes continued to have polished bases with satin finish upper walls, and sockets greater than 1 inch continued to have reduced bases with polished upper walls.

Fig. 9. Wright S-16x 1/2-Drive Sockets, with Insets for Broaching and Marking Detail, 1955.

Some examples of the new design are shown in Fig. 9, a group of three 1/2-drive Wright S-16x sockets from 1955, each marked "Barberton-O-USA" with a "-55" date code.

The models and sizes are, from the left, S160 (7/8), S161 (15/16), and S163 (1 inch).

The finish is polished chrome.

S-15x 1/2-Drive Sockets, Post-1955 Style

The socket redesign of 1955 didn't affect the smaller sizes, which retained their polished bases and satin-finish upper walls.

Fig. 10. Wright S-15x 1/2-Drive Sockets, with Inset for Broaching, 1955.

Fig. 10 shows a group of four smaller 1/2-drive Wright S-15x sockets from 1955, each marked "Barberton-O-USA" with a "-55" date code.

The models and sizes are, from the left, S151 (7/16), S152 (1/2), S153 (9/16), and S155 (5/8).

The finish is chrome plating. The smaller socket sizes (less than 5/8) have polished bases and satin upper walls, and the 5/8 socket is the cross-over size to the fully-polished cylindrical form.

4FS16 "Ten Point" 1/2-Drive Socket

In the late 1950s Wright developed a new type of socket broaching capable of fitting both a square and hex nut of the same size. The resulting products were called "Ten Point" sockets.

Fig. 11. Wright 4FS16 1/2-Drive 1/2 Socket, with Inset for Broaching and Marking Detail, 1958.

Fig. 11 shows a 1/2-drive Wright 4FS16 socket, marked "Ten Point" and "Patent Pending" with a "58" date code.

The finish is chrome plating.

The patent corresponding to the pending status is not yet known.

S-160/4128 Dual-Marked 1/2-Drive 7/8 Socket

In 1960 Wright updated its model numbers to a new all-numeric system. In preparation for the change, some sockets and drive tools were marked with both old and new model numbers, beginning in 1959 or possibly earlier.

Fig. 12. Wright S-160 (4128) 1/2-Drive 7/8 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, 1959.

Fig. 12 shows a 1/2-drive Wright S-160 7/8 socket, marked "Forged Alloy" with a "++59++" date code, and with the new "4128" model number.

The finish is chrome plating.

This socket was acquired as part of the K4S14 Socket Set shown in a later figure.

N17 Early 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 13. Wright N17 1/2-Drive Flex Handle, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 13 shows an early 1/2-drive Wright N17 flex-head handle, stamped "Barberton, O. U.S.A." at the base of the knurled handle.

The overall length is 12.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

This tool is not marked with a date code, suggesting that it may predate the date code system.

N-60 Early 1/2-Drive Reversible Ratchet

Fig. 14. Wright N60 1/2-Drive Reversible Ratchet, with Inset for Side View, 1942.

Fig. 14 shows an early 1/2-drive Wright N-60 reversible ratchet, stamped "Barberton, Ohio" with an "AC -42" date code.

The overall length is 10.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

N18 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 15. Wright N18 1/2-Drive Flex Handle, with Insets for Marking Detail, 1955.

Fig. 15 shows a 1/2-drive Wright N18 flex-head handle, marked "Barberton-O-USA" with a "-55" date code.

The overall length is 18.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The handle has a knurled gripping surface and is equipped with a cross-bar hole.

N23 (4432) 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 16. Wright N23 (4432) 1/2-Drive Flex Handle, with Inset for Marking Detail, 1960.

Fig. 16 shows a 1/2-drive Wright N23 flex-head handle with a cushion-grip handle, marked with a "-60" date code plus the new "4432" model number.

The overall length is 12.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

This flex handle shows an early example of Wright's rubber cushion-grip handle, later patented as #D199,149.

K4S14 1/2-Drive Socket Set

Fig. 17. Wright K4S14 1/2-Drive Socket Set, 1960.

Fig. 17 shows a Wright K4S14 1/2-drive socket set in a metal case, marked "Wright Tool and Forge Company" and "Barberton, Ohio, U.S.A." on the decal on the cover. The model number for the set is not marked, but was identified by a catalog reference as a K4S14 (or similar) set.

The set consists of an N23 flex-head handle with a cushion-grip handle, plus twelve 12-point sockets ranging in size from 7/16 up to 1-1/8. The sockets and tools in the set all had date codes from 1959 or 1960, and all were double-marked with both older and newer model numbers. Several sockets were missing, so these have been filled in with appropriate pieces from our inventory.

The decal notes that the tools are made from AISI 4140H alloy steel.

The socket models and sizes are, from the left, S151 (7/16), S152 (1/2), S153 (9/16), S155 (5/8), S156 (11/16), S157 (3/4), S159 (13/16), S160 (7/8), S161 (15/16), S163 (1 Inch), S164 (1-1/16), and S166 (1-1/8). The new model numbers in the 41xx-series range from 4114 to 4136, with the last two digits specifying the size in 32nds.

4400 1/2-Drive Soft-Grip Ratchet

Fig. 18. Wright 4400 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, 1973.

Fig. 18 shows a 1/2-drive Wright 4400 ratchet with a soft hand grip, marked "USA" with an "N" date code on one side, with "Pat. D.199149" and "Oil Only" on the back side.

The overall length is 10.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The patent notice refers to design patent #D199,149, issued to H.T. Greenlee in 1964. The patent illustration shows a ratchet with a hand grip of this style.

4425 1/2-Drive Soft-Grip Ratchet

Fig. 19. Wright 4425 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, 1979.

Fig. 19 shows a 1/2-drive Wright 4425 long-handled ratchet, stamped "USA" with a "W" date code on one side, with "Pat. D.199149" and "Oil Only" on the back side.

The overall length is 15.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The patent notice refers to design patent #D199,149, issued to H.T. Greenlee in 1964.

N500 1/2-Drive Dual-Pawl Ratchet

Fig. 20. Wright N500 1/2-Drive Dual-Pawl Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1960.

Fig. 20 shows a 1/2-drive Wright N500 dual-pawl ratchet with a soft-grip handle, stamped with "Wright" and the model number on one side, with "Pat. Pend." and a "-60" date code for 1960 on the back side.

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

The pending status probably refers to design patent #D199,149, issued to H.T. Greenlee in 1964.

4435 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 21. Wright 4435 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle, with Inset Marking Detail, 2003.

Fig. 21 shows a recently made 1/2-drive Wright 4435 flex-head handle, stamped "USA" with a "G03" date code.

The overall length is 18.0 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

The flex head is equipped with seven detent positions, to help hold the head in the desired position.

The "G03" date code is believed to indicate production in 2003, although we don't have positive confirmation of the late date code series.

N12 1/2-Drive 5 Inch Extension

Fig. 22. Wright N12 1/2-Drive 5 Inch Extension, with Inset for Marking Detail, 1955.

Fig. 22 shows a 1/2-drive Wright N12 5 inch extension, marked "Barberton-O-USA" with a "-55" date code.

The overall length is 4.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The extension is equipped with a cross-bar hole for use as a Tee-handle.

4405 1/2-Drive 5 Inch Extension

Fig. 23. Wright 4405 1/2-Drive 5 Inch Extension, with Inset for Marking Detail, 1965.

Fig. 23 shows a 1/2-drive Wright 4405 5 inch extension, stamped "USA" with an "E" date code.

The overall length is 4.9 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

N13 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension

Fig. 24. Wright N13 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension, with Inset for Marking Detail, 1955.

Fig. 24 shows a 1/2-drive Wright N13 10 inch extension, marked "Barberton-O-USA" with a "-55" date code.

The overall length is 9.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The extension is equipped with a cross-bar hole for use as a Tee-handle.

MN15 3/8-Drive Speeder

Fig. 25. Wright MN15 3/8-Drive Speeder, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 25 shows an early 3/8-drive Wright MN15 speeder, stamped with the Wright name and model on the end piece.

The overall length is 17.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The end piece is also marked with a small "J" code, barely visible to the right of the model number in the inset. It's not known whether this represents an early date code.

MN60 3/8-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 26. Wright MN60 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Side View, 1942.

Fig. 26 shows an early 3/8-drive Wright MN60 ratchet, marked "Barberton, O. USA" with "AC" and a "42+" date code.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of cadmium plating.

This ratchet has an unusual design not seen previously in other tools. A single pivoting pawl is held in place by the large center screw, and the shift lever moves a spring-loaded plunger to change the bias of the pawl.

MN13 3/8-Drive 11 Inch Extension

Fig. 27. Wright MN13 3/8-Drive 11 Inch Extension, with Insets for Marking Detail, 1954.

Fig. 27 shows a 3/8-drive Wright MN13 11 inch extension, marked "Barberton O. USA" with a "54+" date code for 1954.

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

3400 3/8-Drive Soft-Grip Ratchet

Fig. 28. Wright 3400 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, 1965.

Fig. 28 shows a 3/8-drive Wright 3400 ratchet with a soft hand grip, marked "USA" with an "E" date code on one side, and with "Pat. D.199149" and "Oil Only" on the back side.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

As with the previous figure, this ratchet is covered by design patent #D199,149, issued to H.T. Greenlee in 1964.

3428 3/8-Drive Soft-Grip Flex-Head Ratchet

Fig. 29. Wright 3428 3/8-Drive Flex-Head Ratchet, with Inset for Side View, 1973.

Fig. 29 shows a 3/8-drive Wright 3428 flex-head ratchet with a soft hand grip, marked "USA" with an "N" date code on the shank.

The back side (not shown) is marked "Pat. D.199149" and "Oil Only" as in the previous example.

The overall length is 10.7 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The soft-grip handle is covered by design patent #D199,149, issued to H.T. Greenlee in 1964.

3403 3/8-Drive Extension

Fig. 30. Wright 3403 3/8-Drive Extension, with Insets for Marking Detail, 1961.

Fig. 30 shows a 3/8-drive Wright 3403 extension, marked "Forged Alloy" with a "61" date code for 1961.

The overall length is 2.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

V-17 1/4-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 31. Wright V-17 1/4-Drive Flex Handle.

Fig. 31 shows a 1/4-drive Wright V-17 flex-head handle, marked "Barberton O. USA" on the shank.

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

2435 1/4-Drive Flex-Head Handle

Fig. 32. Wright 2435 1/4-Drive Flex Handle, ca. 1960+.

Fig. 32 shows a 1/4-drive Wright 2435 flex handle, stamped "USA" on the shank.

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

This tool is not marked with a date code, but the all-numeric model number indicates production in 1960 or later.

U-311 3/4-Drive Universal

Fig. 33. Wright U-311 3/4-Drive Universal, 1952.

Fig. 33 shows a 3/4-drive Wright U-311 universal, marked "Barberton-O-USA" with a "52+" date code.

The overall length is 3.8 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

N-313 3/4-Drive 16 Inch Extension

Fig. 34. Wright N-313 3/4-Drive 16 Inch Extension, with Inset for Marking Detail, 1952.

Fig. 34 shows a 3/4-drive Wright N-313 16 inch extension, marked "Barberton-O-USA" with a "52-" date code.

The overall length is 15.7 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

S-868 1 Inch Drive 2-1/8 Socket

Fig. 35. Wright S-868 1 Inch Drive 2-1/8 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, 1944.

Fig. 35 shows a 1 inch drive Wright S-868 2-1/8 socket, marked "Barberton O. USA" with a "-44" date code.

The inset shows the broaching and hot-forged construction of the socket. The bottom of the socket is still covered by cosmoline, a protective coating used to prevent rust in storage.

8417 1 Inch Drive 17 Inch Extension

Fig. 36. Wright 8417 1 Inch Drive 17 Inch Extension, with Inset for Marking Detail, 1978.

Fig. 36 shows a 1 inch drive Wright 8417 17 inch extension, marked "USA" with a "U" date code.

The overall length is 16.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Later Tools

After operating exclusively as a maker of socket and drive tools during the 1950 and early 1960s, by 1968 Wright had returned to offering a full line of tools.

1120 5/8 Combination Wrench

Fig. 37. Wright 1120 5/8 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1969.

Fig. 37 shows a Wright 1120 5/8 combination wrench, marked "USA" with "Forged Alloy" and a "J" date code on the back side.

The overall length is 7.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

This wrench is a less common example of a non-socket tool marked with an apparent date code.

1322 5/8x11/16 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 38. Wright 1322 5/8x11/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, 1969.

Fig. 38 shows a Wright 1322 5/8x11/15 open-end wrench, marked "USA" with "Forged Alloy" and a "J" date code on the back side.

The overall length is 7.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

This wrench is a less common example of a non-socket tool marked with an apparent date code.

Contract Production

In this section we'll look at examples of tools made by Wright but marked with other companys' brands.