Indestro Alloy-Steel Tools
By 1931 Indestro had begun producing tools using chrome-vanadium steel or other alloys.
Indestro's alloy steel production initially was sold under its own name,
or by using "Chromium-Vanadium" as a brand.
In later years though Indestro used a number of different brands,
including Indestro Polygon, Indestro-Chicago, Chrome Vanadium Steel (with a slanted font),
Super-Quality, and finally Indestro Super.
In this section we'll explore the development of Indestro's alloy steel tools,
beginning with sockets and drive tools.
Sockets and Drive Tools
Socket sets are believed to have been Indestro's earliest alloy-steel tools,
as we have a documented example from 1931.
Initially sets were produced only in 1/2-drive,
but by the mid 1930s Indestro offered sets in additional sizes of 1/4, 3/8, and 3/4-drive.
The examples here have been ordered by
1/2-Drive, 3/8-Drive,
1/4-Drive, and 3/4-Drive.
Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-Drive 17-Piece Socket Set
Fig. 183 shows
an Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-drive 17-piece socket set from 1931,
dated by means of the sales receipt from Western Auto Supply.
The set consists of a speeder, sliding Tee handle, ratchet adapter, three extensions, universal,
and ten double-hex sockets from 7/16 to 15/16.
All of the sockets and tools are marked "Chromium Vanadium",
except for the universal, double-male extension, and one socket.
This socket set is exceptionally well documented thanks to the inclusion of the original sales receipt
with the set.
The sales receipt shows that the set was purchased on August 8, 1931 from a Western Auto store in Texas,
for a price of $5.35.
As additional verification,
the 1931 and 1932 Western Auto catalogs both offer a "Chromium Vanadium" 17-piece socket set
matching the above description,
and for the same $5.35 price.
The Western Auto catalog listing for this set can be seen with the
Chromium Vanadium 17-Piece Socket Set
in our article on Western Auto Supply.
Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-Drive 13 Inch Speeder from 17-Piece Socket Set
Fig. 184 shows
the Indestro 1/2-drive 13 inch speeder from the 17-piece socket set,
stamped "Indestro Mfg. Co." and Chicago, U.S.A." on the shank
with "Chromium Vanadium" on the back side.
The overall length is 12.9 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating.
Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle from 17-Piece Set
Fig. 185 shows
the Indestro 1/2-drive sliding Tee handle from the 17-piece socket set,
stamped "Chromium Vanadium" on the sliding head.
The overall length is 10.0 inches.
Indestro [3204] Double-Male Extension and [3214] Double-Female Universal from 17-Piece Set
Fig. 186 shows
the Indestro 1/2-drive double-male extension and double-female universal
from the 17-piece socket set.
The lengths of the extension and universal are 6.0 inches and 2.6 inches respectively.
The finish is nickel plating.
The tools are unmarked,
but the 1935 Indestro catalog lists the extension as No. 3204 and the universal as No. 3214.
The double-male extension was required when using the double-female universal
supplied with the set.
In addition to the double-male extension,
the set included two standard 1/2-drive extensions,
with lengths 4.5 inches and 9.5 inches.
Both of these are stamped "Chromium Vanadium" and are nickel plated.
Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-Drive Ratchet Adapter from 17-Piece Socket Set
Fig. 187 shows
the Indestro 1/2-drive ratchet adapter from the 17-piece socket set,
stamped "Chromium Vanadium" and "1-2" with stars on either side.
The overall length (extended) is 3.2 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating.
The 1932 Western Auto catalog called this tool simply a ratchet rather than a ratchet adapter.
By 1933 the Western Auto socket sets included a true ratchet instead of the adapter,
a model based on Duro's patent #1,902,878.
Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-Drive Double-Hex Sockets from 17-Piece Socket Set
Fig. 188 shows
nine of the ten Indestro sockets from the 17-piece socket set.
(The 7/16 socket didn't match the others and appears to be a replacement.)
The sizes are, from the front left, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 21/32, and 11/16,
and in the back row, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, and 15/16.
All of the sockets are stamped "Chromium Vanadium" and have a star symbol on each side of the size,
a characteristic marking for Indestro sockets.
The inset at the top shows a typical "Chromium Vanadium" marking.
The sockets have a coarse knurled band around the base,
probably intended to help with turning a loose nut by hand.
The socket construction is cold-broached with a bored recess at the base.
If you look carefully at the full-sized photograph,
you can see chatter marks typically left by cold broaching.
Indestro [No. 3111B] "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-Drive Socket Set
Fig. 189A shows
an Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-drive socket set in a tapered metal box,
consisting of a forged-body ratchet, drive plug, extension, and nine double-hex sockets.
The drive tools in the set are unmarked.
The socket models and sizes are, from the left,
1214 (7/16), 1216 (1/2), 1218 (9/16), 1220 (5/8), 1221 (21/32), 1222 (11/16),
1224 (3/4), 1226 (13/16), and 1228 (7/8).
The sockets are all stamped on the base with "Chromium Vanadium" plus the model number
and fractional size.
Fig. 189B shows
the sliding top cover of the Indestro [No. 3111B] "Chromium Vanadium" socket set.
The tapered metal box has a bronze-colored crackle finish,
and the approximate dimensions are 12.1 inches long by 3.1 inches deep by 1.6 inches high.
The decal is printed with the Indestro logo at the top,
followed by "Chromium Vanadium Socket Set" and "Tools for Service",
with "Indestro Mfg. Corp." and "Chicago, U.S.A." at the bottom.
The ratchet in this set can be seen in greater detail as the
Indestro Pressed-Flange Ratchet.
The extension in the set is unmarked,
but was listed as No. 3204 in the Indestro catalogs and can be seen as the
Indestro [3204] Double-Male Extension.
A sample of the sockets in the set can be seen in greater detail as the
Indestro C-V 12xx Sockets.
Currently we don't have an exact catalog reference for this set,
but the 1935 Indestro catalog lists a very similar No. 3111B 11-piece socket set,
which includes the same components except for the 21/32 socket.
Fig. 190 shows
the catalog listing for the Indestro No. 3111B set,
as published on page 14 of the 1935 Indestro catalog.
The set is listed as the "11 Piece Chrome Vanadium Steel Ratchet Wrench Set"
under a "Super Quality" heading on the page,
but it's uncertain whether the sets were being marked with "Super Quality" decals at that time.
Given the close match of the components,
it's likely that our socket set is a No. 3111B set with a 21/32 socket added by the former owner.
1/2-Drive Pressed-Flange Ratchet from [No. 3111B] "Chromium Vanadium" Set
Fig. 191 shows
the unmarked 1/2-drive pressed-flange ratchet from the [No. 3111B] "Chromium Vanadium" socket set.
The overall length is 9.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The female-drive ratchet has a 16-tooth drive gear,
a relatively coarse pitch typical of early production.
This unmarked ratchet is a generic version of the
Indestro No. 3202 Ratchet or Duro No. 678D Ratchet,
a familiar and rugged tool included in many socket sets from around 1933 through the 1950s (or beyond).
The ratchet was permanently assembled by compressing flanges integral to the forged body,
a construction technique described in patent
#1,902,878,
issued in 1933.
Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-Drive 12xx Sockets from [No. 3111B] Set
Fig. 192 shows
a group of three Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/2-drive 12xx Sockets
from the [No. 3111B] socket set.
The models and sizes are, from the left,
1224 (3/4), 1226 (13/16), and 1228 (7/8).
The sockets are marked "Chromium Vanadium" with the model number and fractional size.
The sockets are constructed with tapered walls,
with the taper beginning at the base of the socket.
The base has a narrow band of cross-hatched knurling just above the bottom,
with a plain groove above the markings.
These sockets were made using Duro's patented
Hot-Broaching Process,
as described by the 1936 McNaught patent
#2,027,922.
The lower inset shows the broached interior of the sockets,
with a scalloped ring of displaced metal visible at the base of the broached area.
Another feature of Duro's hot-broaching process can be seen in the top inset.
Note that the drive openings of the sockets have a tapered edge on all four sides,
which helps to depress the detent ball when inserting a drive stud.
Machining such a tapered edge would be a time-consuming process,
but the tapered edge is "free" when made by a suitable mandrel during the hot-broaching process.
Chromium Vanadium 12xx and 28xx Sockets
The 1938 Duro catalog shows a 12xx series of 1/2 drive 12-point (and 8-point) sockets
that it refers to as "Chrome Vanadium sockets".
These are the model numbers that would later become the Indestro Super line,
but in the late 1930s they were marked as "Chromium Vanadium",
as shown in the examples below.
Fig. 193 shows
a group of three "Chromium Vanadium" sockets.
The 1/2-drive model 1234 1-1/16 socket on the right is believed to date to the mid 1930s,
as it shows the cross-hatched knurling in use at this time.
Later on these models changed to the simpler straight knurling shown on the middle and left sockets.
The middle socket is a 1/2-drive model 1220S 5/8 double-square socket,
with the "S" suffix on the model indicating an 8-point broaching.
The leftmost example is a 1/4-drive model 2812 3/8 socket.
Although this model is not shown in the 1938 catalog,
a later Indestro catalog lists 2812 as part of the Indestro Super 1/4-drive line.
These examples again confirm the continuity of the "Chromium Vanadium" mark with the later Indestro Super line,
with a likely "Super-Quality" intermediate.
Indestro 3202 1/2-Drive Pressed-Flange Ratchet
Fig. 194 shows
an early 1/2-drive Indestro 3202 female drive ratchet,
stamped "Chicago, U.S.A." and "Licensed Under Pat. No. 1902878" on the front cover plate,
with "No. 3202" on the back side cover plate.
The overall length is 9.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The patent notice refers to patent
#1,902,878,
filed by McNaught and Peterson in 1932 and issued in 1933.
The forged body of this ratchet is very similar to the
Duro-Chrome 678D Ratchet,
but the forged-in brand name has been omitted.
The generic body forging of this model made it easy to customize for contract production,
with only a stamped cover plate needed to mark the customer's brand.
The ratchet mechanism uses a relatively coarse 16-tooth gear,
an indication of the early manufacture of this tool.
Indestro Super 3202R 1/2-Drive Reversible Pressed-Flange Ratchet
In later years Duro/Indestro added a reversing mechanism to the pressed-flange ratchets,
and then offered them in both male and female drive.
The next figure shows an example of a female drive reversible ratchet.
Fig. 195 shows
a 1/2-drive Indestro Super 3202R reversible ratchet with a female drive gear,
stamped "Pat. No. 1,902,878" under the shift lever,
with "Indestro-Super" and the model number on the back side.
The overall length is 9.4 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The ratchet mechanism uses an 18-tooth drive gear,
slightly finer than earlier examples but still relatively coarse.
Indestro Super 3201 1/2-Drive Reversible Pressed-Flange Ratchet
Fig. 196 shows
an Indestro Super 3201 1/2-drive reversible ratchet,
stamped with "Indestro Super" and the model number on the front cover plate,
with "Made in U.S.A." and "Pat. No. 1902878" on the back side.
The overall length is 10.5 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome.
This ratchet mechanism has a 36-tooth gear,
a much finer action than the Early Duro-Chrome 678D Ratchet
displayed in another section.
This ratchet is an example of later versions of Duro's pressed-flange construction.
The 1941 Indestro catalog offered pressed-flange ratchets in three versions,
a model 3201R with reversible male/female drive, model 3202R with reversible female drive,
and model 3202 with non-reversible female drive.
These were part of the Super Quality Chrome Vanadium line and probably would have
been marked "Super-Quality".
Ratchet models 3201R and 3202R were still available in the 1956 Indestro catalog No. 20,
and the model 3201R had assumed its present male-drive-only form.
By the early 1960s the only remaining pressed-flange ratchet was the model 3202R.
Indestro Super 3275 1/2-Drive Ratchet
Fig. 197 shows
a 1/2-drive Indestro Super 3275 ratchet,
marked with the brand and model on the shank,
with "Keep Clean and Oil" stamped on the back side.
The overall length is 10.1 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome.
This ratchet is the Indestro equivalent of the
Duro-Chrome 675 Ratchet shown in another figure,
and is virtually identical in design and construction.
The ratchet mechanism is a variant of the classic S-K design and uses a 52-tooth
gear in the drive handle.
The ratchet assembly is marked "Mfd. U.S.A." and "Pat. No. 2686582",
with the latter notice referring to patent
#2,686,582,
issued to Odlum and Hosford in 1954.
Indestro Super 3289 1/2-Drive Long-Handled Ratchet
Fig. 198 shows
a 1/2-drive Indestro Super 3239 long-handled ratchet,
marked "U.S.A." with the brand and model at the end of the handle.
The overall length is 14.8 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome.
[Indestro] Chromium Vanadium No. 3206 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle
Fig. 199 shows
an [Indestro] Chromium Vanadium No. 3206 1/2-drive sliding Tee handle,
stamped with the model number and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank,
with "Chromium Vanadium" on the sliding head.
The overall length is 10.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
This tool was acquired with a
ChromeXQuality N694 set,
but was not a standard part of the set.
Indestro Super 3208 1/2-Drive 17 Inch Speeder
Fig. 200 shows
a 1/2-drive Indestro Super 3208 speeder,
marked "U.S.A." on the shank.
The overall length is 17.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 3221 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex Handle
The 1935 Indestro catalog offered 1/2-drive "inner-head" flex handles (with the fork on the shank)
in models 3221, 3222, and 3223, with nominal lengths 11, 15, and 18 inches respectively.
All three models were drilled for use with a No. 3210 cross-bar,
allowing use as a Tee-handle,
and in addition had a 1/2 square drive stud on the end,
allowing use as an extension with a female-drive ratchet.
Two additional models were available,
a No. 3220 11 inch flex handle with a plain handle,
and an older No. 3200 10 inch "outer-head" flex handle with a cross-bar hole and drive stud.
The next figures show two generations of the Indestro No. 3221 flex handle.
Fig. 201 shows
an earlier [Indestro] 3221 1/2-drive 11 inch flex handle,
stamped "Chromium Vanadium" on the shank.
The overall length is 11.6 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole and a 1/2-drive stud,
allowing additional functionality as a Tee-handle and extension.
The use of the "Chromium Vanadium" marking without the Indestro name or "Super Quality" brand suggests
that this tool may have been made as contract production.
Indestro Super 3221 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex Handle
Fig. 202 shows
a later Indestro Super 3221 1/2-drive 11 inch flex handle,
stamped "Super" and "U.S.A." on the shank.
The overall length is 11.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The male drive stud on the end of the handle allowed the tool to be used as an extension
with the female-drive ratchets common in the 1930s and 1940s.
By 1952 Indestro catalog No. 20 shows that the male drive stud was no longer offered,
replaced by either a broached opening or a plain handle.
[Indestro 3204] 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Double-Male Extension
Fig. 203 shows
an unmarked Indestro [3204] 1/2-drive 6 inch double-male extension.
The overall length is 6.1 inches.
The finish is plain steel,
with traces of a chrome or nickel finish visible on the ends.
[Indestro 3216] 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension
The next three figures show several generations of the Indestro 3216 6 inch extension,
with differences in construction and marking.
Fig. 204 shows
an early unmarked [Indestro 3216] 1/2-drive 6 inch extension.
The overall length is 6.0 inches,
and the finish is chrome (or possibly nickel) plating.
This extension was acquired as part of an
Indestro C-V N696 Socket Set dating to 1935.
The drive stud of this extension has been milled,
the construction used on early extensions.
Note that the drive head is not drilled for a cross-bar hole,
a feature available by 1937 or slightly earlier.
[Indestro] Chromium Vanadium 3216 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension
Fig. 205 shows
a slightly later [Indestro] Chromium Vanadium 3216 1/2-drive 6 inch extension,
stamped "Chromium Vanadium" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank.
The overall length is 5.9 inches,
and the finish is chrome (or possibly nickel) plating.
Both the drive head and drive stud of this extension have been hot-forged,
with the latter showing a distinctive flange at the transition to the shank.
This construction method was in use by the late 1930s.
The drive head of the extension has been drilled to accept a cross-bar,
allowing use as a Tee handle.
Extensions with cross-bar holes were listed in the 1937 Indestro catalog,
which is currently our earliest reference for this feature.
The "Chromium Vanadium" marking without the Indestro name or "Super Quality" brand
suggests that this tool was made as contract production.
Indestro Super 3216 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension
Fig. 206 shows
a later Indestro Super 3216 1/2-drive 6 inch extension,
stamped "Indestro Super" and "U.S.A." on the drive head.
The overall length is 5.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with a polished drive head.
[Indestro] Chromium Vanadium No. 3211 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extensions
The next three figures show several generations of the Indestro No. 3211 extension.
Fig. 207 shows
an earlier [Indestro] Chromium Vanadium No. 3211 1/2-drive 10 inch extension,
stamped with the model number and "Chromium Vanadium" near the drive stud,
as seen in the composite inset.
The overall length is 9.8 inches,
and the finish is nickel or chrome plating,
with losses due to wear.
The drive end of the extension appears to have been made by a hot-forging process,
as the bottom of the square broaching has a smooth contour.
The drive head has been drilled for a cross-bar to allow use as a Tee handle,
a feature available by 1937 or earlier.
Note that the drive stud has been milled from the round shank,
a construction method used on earlier extensions.
The combination of the milled drive stud and cross-bar hole suggest production in 1936-1937.
Fig. 208 shows
a slightly later [Indestro] Chromium Vanadium No. 3211 1/2-drive 10 inch extension,
stamped with "Chromium Vanadium" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank,
as seen in the composite inset.
The overall length is 9.8 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
This extension was acquired as part of a
ChromeXQuality N694 Socket Set dating to 1938-1939.
Indestro Super No. 3211 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension
Fig. 209 shows
a later Indestro Super No. 3211 1/2-drive 10 inch extension,
stamped "Indestro Super" and "U.S.A." on the drive head,
as seen in the composite inset.
The overall length is 9.5 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome.
[Indestro 3214] 1/2-Drive Double-Female Universal
Fig. 210 shows
an unmarked Indestro 3214 1/2-drive double-female universal.
The overall length is 2.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome (or possibly nickel) plating.
The model 3214 double-female universal was Indestro's standard universal during the early 1930s,
but was later superseded by the model 3217 male-female universal,
and by 1937 had been discontinued.
This universal was acquired as part of an
Indestro C-V N696 Socket Set dating to 1935.
[Indestro] 3217 1/2-Drive Universal
Fig. 211 shows
an early Indestro 3217 1/2-drive universal,
stamped with the model number on the female end.
The overall length is 2.7 inches,
and the finish is chrome (or possibly nickel) plating.
This universal was acquired with a
Ward's Riverside Socket Set dating to 1935-1936,
but was not a standard part of the set.
3/8-Drive Tools
Our earliest reference for Indestro 3/8-drive tools is the 1935 catalog,
which offered one page of Super-Quality "Cub" 3/8-drive socket tools in a 27xx model series.
The tools included a No. 2701 12-piece "Cub" socket set consisting of a female-drive ratchet handle and drive plug,
a 10 inch flex-head handle, a cross-bar, a 4.5 inch double-male extension, and seven sockets from 3/8 to 3/4 inch.
A smaller No. 2700 9-piece set was also available,
which omitted the ratchet, drive plug, and extension.
The 3/8-drive tools could also be purchased individually as the No. 2888 ratchet,
No. 2781 flex-head handle, No. 2780 cross-bar, No. 2731 drive plug, No. 2732 4.5 inch extension,
and sockets Nos. 2712 (3/8) through 2724 (3/4).
The No. 2888 ratchet was a scaled-down version of the same pressed-flange design used in the familiar
No. 3202 1/2-Drive Ratchet.
Similarly, the No. 2781 flex-head handle was a scaled-down version of the
No. 3221 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Handle.
Later additions to the 27xx series of 3/8-drive tools included the
Nos. 2730, 2733, 2734, and 2735 extensions (of 3, 6, 9, and 12 inches, respectively),
the No. 2763 sliding Tee handle, No. 2785 speeder, No. 2789 reversible ratchet,
and No. 2775 round-head ratchet.
Also, by 1952 the No. 2781 flex-head handle was described as having a broached opening
in the handle,
instead of the male drive stud found on earlier production of the tool.
Our current selection of Indestro 3/8-drive tools is somewhat limited,
but we hope to add to this section as time permits.
An example of a later 3/8-drive socket set can be seen as the
Indestro N7732 3/8-Drive M.P.I. Socket Set.
Indestro Super 2775 3/8-Drive Round-Head Ratchet
Fig. 212 shows
a 3/8-drive Indestro Super 2775 round-head ratchet,
marked with the brand and model on the shank, with "Keep Clean and Oil" on the back side.
The overall length is 7.6 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with a polished head and shank.
This ratchet is the 3/8-drive equivalent of the
Indestro No. 3275 1/2-Drive Ratchet shown above,
and is virtually identical in design and construction.
Indestro [Super] 2763 3/8-Drive Sliding Tee Handle
Fig. 213 shows
a 3/8-drive Indestro 2763 sliding tee handle,
stamped with "Indestro" and "U.S.A." on the top of the sliding head,
as shown in the upper inset.
The overall length is 7.8 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome plating.
The 2763 model number was part of the early "Super-Quality" and later "Indestro Super" line.
The absence of a "Super" marking on this tool suggests production in the mid 1970s or later.
Indestro Super 2781 3/8-Drive Flex Handle
Fig. 214 shows
a 3/8-drive Indestro Super 2781 flex handle,
stamped with "Indestro Super" and "U.S.A." on the end of the handle,
as shown in the composite inset at the top.
The overall length is 9.1 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome plating.
This flex handle was acquired as part of an
Indestro No. N7732 Socket Set
displayed in a later section.
Earlier versions of this model were provided with either a male drive stud or a broached opening
at the end of the handle,
which allowed the tool to be used as an extension.
The approximate dates for these earlier features are mid 1930s to 1940s for the male drive stud,
and 1950s for the broached opening.
Indestro Super 2797 3/8-Drive Universal
Fig. 215 shows
a 3/8-drive Indestro Super 2797 universal,
stamped with "Indestro Super" and "U.S.A." on the head.
The overall length is 1.8 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome plating.
This universal was acquired as part of an
Indestro No. N7732 Socket Set
displayed in a later section.
Indestro Super 2730 3/8-Drive 3 Inch Extension
Fig. 216 shows
a 3/8-drive Indestro Super 2730 3 inch extension,
stamped with "Indestro Super" and "U.S.A." on the head.
The overall length is 3.0 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome plating.
This extension was acquired as part of an
Indestro No. N7732 Socket Set
displayed in a later section.
Indestro Super 2733 3/8-Drive 6 Inch Extension
Fig. 217 shows
a 3/8-drive Indestro Super 2733 6 inch extension,
stamped with "Indestro Super" and "U.S.A." on the head.
The overall length is 5.5 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome plating.
This extension was acquired as part of an
Indestro No. N7732 Socket Set
displayed in a later section.
[Indestro] 2734 3/8-Drive 8 Inch Extension
Fig. 218 shows
a 3/8-drive [Indestro] 2734 8 inch extension,
stamped with the model number on the shank.
(The model number is sufficient to identify the tool as part of the Indestro 3/8-drive line.)
The overall length is 7.8 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The plain steel finish and lack of a company marking indicate production during the 1942-1945 wartime years.
During normal years the 2734 extension was specified as a nominal 9 inches,
but sometimes specifications were subject to change during wartime production.
Indestro 1/4-Drive "Chromium-Vanadium" 11-Piece Socket Set
Fig. 219 shows
an early Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 1/4-drive socket set,
marked with a colorful decal on the inside of the lid,
with the Indestro logo and "Chromium-Vanadium" prominently displayed.
In this set the individual tools are not marked except for sizes on the sockets.
Super-Quality 1/4-Drive Socket Set
Somewhat after the use of the "Chromium Vanadium" mark,
Indestro started using the phrase "Super-Quality" as a brand for its Chrome alloy tools.
This use of "Super-Quality" is the obvious forerunner for the eventual Indestro "Super"
line of chrome-alloy tools.
Fig. 220 shows
a Super-Quality 1/4-drive socket set,
consisting of a flex handle, six hex (or double-hex) sockets, and two double-square sockets.
The decal on the inside cover reads "Super-Quality Socket Set" and "Chrome Vanadium Steel",
with the Indestro logo at the bottom.
The tools in this set are marked "Chromium Vanadium",
and some have part numbers that in later catalogs would be identified as part of
the Indestro "Super" line.
3/4-Drive Tools
By 1937 Indestro was offering a limited selection of heavy-duty 3/4-drive socket tools,
initially consisting of a No. 2363 Tee handle, a No. 2364 8 inch extension, a No. 2365 16 inch extension,
and 12 sizes of sockets ranging from model 2234 (1-1/16) up to 2264 (2 inch).
A No. 2210 10-piece 3/4-drive socket set was also available.
Indestro's collection of 3/4-drive tools was expanded in later years.
We have a modest selection of these tools and will expand this section as time permits.
[Indestro] "Chromium Vanadium" 2364 3/4-Drive 8 Inch Extension
Fig. 221 shows
an [Indestro] 2364 3/4-drive 8 inch extension,
stamped "Chromium Vanadium" and "Made in U.S.A." with the model number on the shank.
The overall length is 8.1 inches,
and the finish appears to be nickel plating,
with losses due to wear and rust.
This extension was identified as Indestro production by the model number.
The "Chromium Vanadium" marking indicates likely production for Western Auto Supply.
[Indestro] "Chromium Vanadium" 2240 3/4-Drive 1-1/4 12-Point Socket
Fig. 222 shows
an [Indestro] 2240 3/4-drive 1-1/4 12-point socket,
stamped "Chromium Vanadium" with the model number and fractional size on the base.
The socket is designed with a slight taper to the upper walls and has a decorative
groove around the base.
The finish is polished chrome.
The inset on the right shows a top view of the socket,
illustrating the broached interior.
The annular shelf of displaced metal is characteristic of Duro's
Hot-Broaching Process.
The walls of the drive end of this socket are smooth,
as can be seen in the center of the inset.
At some point Duro/Indestro added indentations to the drive walls to assist with holding the socket,
but it probably required an extra machining step after the broaching was complete.
The smooth drive walls here may indicate relatively early production,
but it's also possible that drive wall indentations were considered a "premium feature"
and were omitted for contract production.
Super-Quality [2248] 3/4-Drive 1-1/2 12-Point Socket
Fig. 223 shows
an [Indestro] Super-Quality [2248] 3/4-drive 1-1/2 12-point socket,
stamped "SuperQuality" and "Made in U.S.A." with the fractional size on the base.
The socket is designed with a slight taper to the upper walls and has a decorative
groove around the base.
The finish is polished chrome.
The inset on the right shows a top view of the socket,
illustrating the broached interior.
The annular shelf of displaced metal is characteristic of Duro's
Hot-Broaching Process.
A close look at the center of the inset reveals that the visible wall of the drive end has an oval indentation
in the center of the wall.
(All four walls have indentations.)
These indentations were intended to help the friction ball of a drive stud grip the socket better,
and would have required an extra machining step.
There are a couple of puzzling facets to this socket that call for some discussion.
The first is the lack of a marked model number —
the drive wall indentations would seemingly point to later production,
at which time we would expect to find consistently marked model numbers.
The second odd feature is that the drive end of the socket (not shown) has sharp edges
at the drive opening,
despite the ease of adding relieved edges during the hot broaching process.
(Relieved edges were one of the touted features of Duro's hot broaching process.)
We can offer a somewhat speculative explanation for these quirks,
but that requires some knowledge of machining operations.
For a 3/4-drive socket,
it should have been possible to use a boring bar to cut a groove in the center of the drive end while the
socket blank was still on the screw machine.
The drive end would have been drilled out to a 3/4 inch diameter to prepare for the 3/4 square broaching,
after which a 1/2 inch boring bar with a bit projecting 1/8 of an inch would have clearance to be
inserted into the socket blank.
(This approach probably wouldn't work for 1/2-drive or smaller sockets,
as a boring bar with clearance to fit would lack sufficient stiffness.)
With the groove for the indentations already cut,
Duro/Indestro would have had to use their older cold-broaching process for the drive end,
in order to avoid having the groove filled in by flowing metal.
The service opening of the socket would then be broached using the hot-broaching process,
but the use of cold-broaching for the drive end meant foregoing the relieved edges.
If our explanation is correct,
this socket can be seen as relatively early production with an experimental technique
for adding drive-end indentations.
Since model numbers were not marked consistently until sometime in the mid 1930s,
this socket was probably made around that time.
Duro/Indestro eventually mastered a technique for adding indentations to the drive end of even small sockets,
and the example here can be seen as an early step along the way.
We hope to develop an estimate for when the drive-end indentations became a standard feature.
Open-End Wrenches
Duro/Indestro produced a full range of (double) open-end wrenches in industry-standard sizes,
sometimes referred to as engineer's wrenches.
These wrenches were assigned model numbers by adding 1000 to the corresponding
industry-standard number,
so for example a 19/32x11/16 No. 27 wrench became model 1027.
(See our table of
Industry-Standard Numbers for Open-End Wrenches
for an explanation of this numbering system.)
The standard finish (from the early 1930s on) was chrome plating with polished faces,
except that cadmium or plain finishes were typically used during the years 1942-1945.
[Indestro] "Chrome Vanadium Steel" 1721 5/16x3/8 Open-End Wrench
The next two figures show examples of the Indestro 1721 wrench,
first under the generic "Chrome Vanadium Steel" brand,
then under the "Super-Quality" brand.
Fig. 224 shows
an Indestro "Chrome Vanadium Steel" 1721 5/16x3/8 open-end wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on one face,
with the model number on the other face.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the left face.
The overall length is 5.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Super-Quality 1721 5/16x3/8 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 225 shows
a Super-Quality 1721 5/16x3/8 open-end wrench,
stamped with "SuperQuality" and the model number on one face,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the other face.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the left face.
The overall length is 5.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
[Indestro] "Chrome Vanadium Steel" 1723 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 226 shows
an Indestro "Chrome Vanadium Steel" 1723 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on one face,
with the model number on the other face.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the left face.
The overall length is 5.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Indestro Super-Quality 1727 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 227 shows
an Indestro Super-Quality 1727 9/16x5/8 open-end wrench,
stamped with "Super-Quality" and the model number on one face,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the other face.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the left face.
The shank of this example is stamped with "Indestro Mfg. Corp." and "Chicago",
a less common marking for tools with the Super-Quality brand.
The overall length is 7.2 inches.
The finish is chrome plating,
with losses due to wear and rust.
Super-Quality 1027 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 228 shows
a Super-Quality 1027 19/32x11/16 open-end wrench,
stamped with "Super-Quality" and the model number on one face,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the other face.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the left face.
The overall length is 7.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Super-Quality 1731-A 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 229 shows
a Super-Quality 1731-A 3/4x7/8 open-end wrench,
stamped with "Super-Quality" and the model number on one face,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the other face.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the left face.
The overall length is 9.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating,
with losses due to wear.
[Indestro] "Chrome Vanadium Steel" 1033 7/8x31/32 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 230 shows
an early [Indestro] "Chrome Vanadium Steel" 1033 7/8x31/32 open-end wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the one face,
with the model number on the other end.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the right face.
The overall length is 9.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating,
with extensive losses due to wear.
Indestro Super T-1A 7/16x1/2 Tappet Wrench
Fig. 231 shows
an Indestro Super T-1A 7/16x1/2 tappet wrench,
stamped with "Indestro Super" and the model number on the front faces.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc on the left face.
The overall length is 7.4 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Indestro Super [T-]1 7/16x17/32 Tappet Wrench
Fig. 232 shows
an Indestro Super [T-]1 7/16x17/32 tappet wrench,
stamped with "Indestro Super" and the model number on the front faces.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc on the left face.
The overall length is 7.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Indestro Super [T-]2 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench
This next figure shows a wrench believed to be our earliest example of the
"Indestro Super" brand.
Fig. 233 shows
an Indestro [T-]2 1/2x9/16 tappet wrench,
stamped "Indestro Super" on the face,
with "Forged in U.S.A." on a curved arc on the back side face.
The overall length is 8.0 inches,
and the finish is plain steel,
with traces of the cadmium plating.
The traces of cadmium on this tool provide a helpful clue to the manufacturing date.
Indestro and Duro-Chrome wrenches were generally given chrome plated finishes
after the early 1930s,
except for the period of wartime shortages from 1942-1945.
Tools made at that time generally substituted cadmium (or plain) finishes for chrome,
so it's likely that this wrench was made in late wartime or early post-war period.
Indestro "Chrome Vanadium Steel" [T-]3 5/8x11/16 Tappet Wrench
Fig. 234 shows
an [Indestro] "Chrome Vanadium Steel" [T-]3 5/8x11/16 tappet wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on one face,
with the model number on the other face.
The back side faces are stamped with the fractional sizes,
with "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc on the left face.
The overall length is 8.6 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The plain finish and "Chrome Vanadium" marking suggest production during the
early wartime years.
Combination Wrenches
Duro's unusual design for thin combination wrenches is discussed in the section on
Duro Combination Wrenches.
Indestro also produced a comparable 77x series of thin combination wrenches,
as seen in the next figure.
Indestro Super 775 5/8 Thin Combination Wrench
Fig. 235 shows
an Indestro Super 775 5/8 thin combination wrench,
stamped "Super" on the face.
The overall length is 8.8 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The top inset shows the very thin profile of this wrench,
similar to that of a tappet wrench.
Box-End Wrenches
Indestro's first box-end wrenches were probably the Indestro "Polygon" series,
which were very similar to the "Perfection" box wrenches developed by Duro around 1932.
The wrench design is a virtual copy of the Herbrand "Multihex" offset box wrenches,
which were being sold by Western Auto beginning in 1931.
In 1932 Western Auto offered a competing brand of "Perfection" box wrenches at a substantially lower price,
and these are believed to be Duro's first box-end wrench contract production for Western Auto.
After the Duro-Indestro merger in 1933,
the "Perfection" wrenches were rebranded as the Indestro "Polygon" series.
In keeping with the standard markings used by Western Auto Supply in the early 1930s,
the Indestro Polygon wrenches were marked "Chromium-Vanadium",
using the full names of the metallic elements.
After the initial Indestro "Polygon" series,
Indestro rapidly expanded its (double) box-end wrenches into four basic styles with a wide range of sizes.
These were offered under the Super-Quality brand,
which was optionally marked with the company name as well.
In addition, some chrome-vanadium steel box-end wrenches were marked "Indestro - Chicago U.S.A.",
similar to the markings used for the early
Indestro "Select Steel" line of tools.
We're not sure exactly where these Indestro "Chicago" box wrenches fit time-wise,
but it's possible that they were produced as the initial offset box wrench complement to the
"Select Steel" open-end and open+box wrenches.
(Just to add some confusion,
the early "Select Steel" wrenches,
being made of carbon-manganese steel,
were actually marked "Drop Forged Alloy Steel" for the first two years.)
In the post-war years Indestro's Super-Quality brand was simplified to just Indestro Super,
with the company name consistently marked.
Although we don't have precise catalog coverage for this period,
it's likely that the Indestro Super brand began around 1945.
Unlike the case with open-end wrenches,
box wrenches were not given model numbers derived from industry-standard numbers.
The box wrenches instead received ad hoc model numbers
(some of which actually clashed with the open-end industry-standard numbers),
and with different numbers for the Indestro and Duro brands.
Offset Box-End Wrenches
We'll begin with (long pattern) offset box-end wrenches,
as these were likely the first models to be produced.
The 1935 Indestro catalog offered "Super Quality" long-pattern offset box wrenches in six sizes,
Nos. 730 (3/8x7/16), 731 (1/2x9/16), 732 (5/8x11/16), 733 (3/4x25/32), 734 (13/16x7/8), and 735 (15/16x1).
These "Super Quality" models were produced with triple-plated finishes.
Some time later additional models 730A (7/16x1/2) and 731A (9/16x5/8) size were also available.
In 1935 the same models were also available in a cadmium plated version,
designated by a leading "0" in the model number, e.g. "0730".
Indestro Super 730A 7/16x1/2 Offset Box-End Wrenches
Fig. 236 shows
an Indestro Super 730A 7/16x1/2 offset box wrench,
stamped with "Indestro Super" and the fractional sizes on the streamlined raised panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side panel.
The overall length is 8.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Indestro Polygon 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrenches
The next six figures show the evolution of Indestro's 1/2x9/16 offset box wrench
through several generations of production and branding,
beginning with two examples of the "Polygon" brand.
This size was later designated as Indestro model 731.
Fig. 237 shows
an early Indestro Polygon 1/2x9/16 offset box wrench,
stamped with "Indestro Polygon" on the shank,
with "Chromium-Vanadium" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 8.5 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating.
The Indestro Polygon wrenches were produced with both nickel plated and plain finishes.
Another example of this size with a plain finish can be seen in the next figure.
Fig. 238 shows
another early Indestro Polygon 1/2x9/16 offset box wrench,
stamped with "Indestro Polygon" on the shank,
with "Chromium-Vanadium" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 8.5 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The upper inset shows a side view of the wrench to illustrate the construction details.
The shank is roughly oval in cross-section,
with a smoothly rounded top and bottom and clipped sides.
Indestro "Chicago" 731 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench
Some of Indestro's early alloy-steel production was marked with "Indestro-Chicago"
rather than the Polygon or Chromium-Vanadium brands.
Fig. 239 shows
an early Indestro "Chicago" 731 1/2x9/16 offset box wrench,
stamped "Indestro-Chicago, U.S.A." on the shank,
with "Chrome-Vanadium-Steel" on the back side.
The overall length is 8.9 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Note that this early wrench does not employ the slanted font for the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking,
a characteristic found on later Indestro production.
[Indestro] Super-Quality 731 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrenches
Fig. 240 shows
a Super-Quality 731 1/2x9/16 offset box wrench,
stamped "Super-Quality" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank,
with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the back side.
The overall length is 8.4 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating,
with losses due to wear.
This wrench has a hexagonal shank without the streamlined panels used on later Indestro production,
suggesting a manufacturing date prior to 1937.
Fig. 241 shows
a somewhat later Indestro Super-Quality 731 1/2x9/16 offset box wrench with raised streamlined panels,
stamped with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the front panel,
with "Indestro U.S.A." and "Super-Quality" on the back side panel.
The overall length is 8.4 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating,
with losses due to rust and pitting.
The streamlined panels indicate production in 1937 or later,
and the nickel finish suggests pre-war production.
Indestro Super 731 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 242 shows
a later Indestro Super 731 1/2x9/16 offset box-end wrench with raised streamlined panels,
stamped with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the front panel,
with "Indestro Super" and the model number on the back side (lower inset).
The overall length is 8.7 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.
This wrench retains the hexagonal shank found on earlier production under the
"Super-Quality" and "Indestro Chicago" brands.
Indestro Super 731A 9/16x5/8 Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 243 shows
an Indestro Super 731A 9/16x5/8 offset box-end wrench with raised streamlined panels,
stamped with "Indestro Super" and the model number on the front panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.
The overall length is 9.4 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.
This wrench retains the hexagonal shank found on earlier production under the
"Super-Quality" and "Indestro Chicago" brands.
Indestro Polygon 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrenches
The next several figures show two generations of the Indestro 5/8x11/16 offset box wrench,
with different brand markings and construction details.
This size was later designated as model 732.
Fig. 244 shows
an early Indestro Polygon 5/8x11/16 offset box wrench,
stamped with "Chromium-Vanadium" and the fractional sizes on the shank,
with "Indestro Polygon" on the back side.
The overall length is 9.8 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating.
The Indestro Polygon wrenches were produced with both nickel plated and plain finishes,
with the plain finish more common in our experience.
The next figure shows an example of this size with a plain but polished finish.
Fig. 245 shows
another Indestro Polygon 5/8x11/16 offset box wrench,
stamped "Indestro Polygon" on the shank,
with "Chromium-Vanadium" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 9.8 inches,
and the finish is polished steel.
Indestro Super-Quality 732 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 246 shows
a somewhat later Indestro Super-Quality 732 5/8x11/16 offset box wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the streamlined raised panel,
with "Indestro U.S.A." and "Super-Quality" on the back side panel.
The overall length is 9.7 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Indestro Polygon 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench
The next several figures show four generations of the Indestro 3/4x25/32 offset box wrench,
with different brand markings and construction details.
This size was later designated as model 733.
Fig. 247 shows
an early Indestro Polygon 3/4x25/32 offset box wrench,
stamped "Indestro Polygon" on the shank,
with "Chromium-Vanadium" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 11.3 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Indestro "Chicago" 733 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench
After the early "Polygon" example,
later generations of this size were designated as Indestro model 733.
Fig. 248 shows
an early Indestro "Chicago" 733 3/4x25/32 offset box wrench,
marked "Indestro-Chicago, U.S.A." with "Chrome-Vanadium-Steel" on the back side.
The overall length is 11.1 inches.
The finish is nickel plating with polished ends.
Note that the left end of the wrench is extensively pitted,
apparently from contact with battery acid or some other corrosive substance.
Super-Quality 733 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 249 shows
a slightly later [Indestro] Super-Quality 733 3/4x25/32 offset box wrench,
stamped "Super-Quality" and "Made in USA" with the model number on the shank,
with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the back side.
The overall length is 11.2 inches,
and the finish is plain steel,
with traces of chrome or nickel plating.
The absence of the streamlined panels used on later Indestro wrenches suggests production in 1937 or earlier.
Super-Quality (X-Circle) [733] 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 250 shows
a later Super-Quality [733] 3/4x25/32 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the front panel,
with "Super-Quality" and the
X-Circle logo on the back side panel.
Although not marked with a model number,
this would be model 733 in the standard Super-Quality line.
The overall length is 11.4 inches,
and the finish is cadmium plating.
The lack of the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking and use of the X-Circle logo suggest production
in the later 1943-1945 wartime years.
Indestro Polygon 13/16x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench
The next figures show two generations of the Indestro 13/16x7/8 offset box wrench,
later designated as model 734.
Fig. 251 shows
an early Indestro Polygon 13/16x7/8 offset box wrench,
stamped "Indestro Polygon" on the shank,
with "Chromium-Vanadium" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 12.7 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Indestro Super-Quality 734 13/16x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 252 shows
a later Indestro Super-Quality 734 13/16x7/8 offset box wrench,
stamped "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the streamlined raised panel,
with "Indestro U.S.A." and "Super-Quality" on the back side panel.
The overall length is 12.7 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Super-Quality 758A 1-3/16x1-1/4 Offset Box Wrench
Our next figure shows one of the larger examples of the Super-Quality brand,
and in an unusual size as well.
Fig. 253 shows
a Super-Quality 758A 1-3/16x1-1/4 offset box wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." on the streamlined raised panel,
with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the back side panel.
The overall length is 18.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
Short Offset Box-End Wrenches
The 1935 Indestro catalog offered "Super Quality" short offset box wrenches in three sizes,
Nos. 741 (3/8x7/16), 742 (1/2x9/16), and 743 (5/8x11/16).
Indestro Super-Quality 741 3/8x7/16 Short Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 254 shows
an Indestro Super-Quality 741 3/8x7/16 short offset box wrench with streamlined panels,
stamped "Indestro U.S.A." and "Super-Quality" on the front panel,
and with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.
The overall length is 4.8 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Angled Box-End Wrenches
The 1935 Indestro catalog offered "Super Quality" long angled (10 degree offset) box wrenches in five sizes,
Nos. 711 (3/8x7/16), 712 (1/2x9/16), 713 (9/16x5/8), 714 (11/16x25/32), and 715 (3/4x7/8).
Super-Quality [711] 3/8x7/16 Box-End Wrench
Fig. 255 shows
a Super-Quality [711] 3/8x7/16 box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Super-Quality" and the
X-Circle logo on the front panel,
with the fractional sizes and "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side panel.
The overall length is 7.0 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Although not marked with a model number,
the Indestro catalog identifies this as a model 711 wrench.
The lack of a "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking and use of the X-Circle logo suggest production
in the later 1943-1945 wartime years.
Indestro Super-Quality 713 9/16x5/8 Box-End Wrench
Fig. 256 shows
an Indestro Super-Quality 713 9/16x5/8 box wrench with streamlined panels,
stamped with "Indestro U.S.A." and "Super-Quality" on the front panel,
with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the back side panel.
The overall length is 9.0 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The Duro-Chrome equivalent of this model can be seen as the
Duro-Chrome 2013 Box Wrench.
Indestro Super-Quality 714 11/16x25/32 Box-End Wrench
Fig. 257 shows
an early Indestro Super-Quality 714 11/16x25/32 box wrench with a hexagonal shank,
stamped with "Indestro U.S.A." and "Super-Quality" on the front,
with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the back side.
The overall length is 10.1 inches,
and the finish is plain steel,
with traces of nickel or chrome plating.
The Duro-Chrome equivalent of this model can be seen as the
Duro-Chrome 2014 Box Wrench.
Super-Quality [715] 3/4x7/8 Box-End Wrench
Fig. 258 shows
a Super-Quality [715] 3/4x7/8 box-end wrench with raised streamlined panels,
stamped "Super-Quality" with the
X-Circle logo
on the front panel,
and with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.
The overall length is 11.3 inches,
and the finish is plain steel with traces of cadmium plating.
Although not marked with a model number,
the Indestro catalog identifies this as a model 715 wrench.
The lack of the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking and use of the X-Circle logo suggest production
in the later 1943-1945 wartime years.
This wrench is very similar to the corresponding
Duro-Chrome 2015 Box Wrench.
Short Angled Box-End Wrenches
The 1935 Indestro catalog offered "Super Quality" short angled (10 degree offset) box wrenches in three sizes,
Nos. 751 (3/8x7/16), 752 (1/2x9/16), and 753 (5/8x11/16).
Super-Quality [752] 1/2x9/16 Short Box-End Wrench
Fig. 259 shows
a Super-Quality [752] 1/2x9/16 short box-end wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped "Super-Quality" with the
X-Circle logo on the front panel,
and with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 4.7 inches,
and the finish is plain steel with polished faces and ends.
The plain finish and lack of an alloy steel marking suggest production during the mid
to late wartime years.
Super-Quality 753 5/8x11/16 Short Box-End Wrench
Fig. 260 shows
a Super-Quality 753 5/8x11/16 short box-end wrench with streamlined panels,
stamped with the model and brand on the front panel,
and with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 5.1 inches,
and the finish is plain steel with polished faces and ends.
The plain finish and lack of an alloy steel marking suggest production during the wartime years,
and the use of the standard model number without the X-Circle marking suggests the
earlier 1942-1943 period.
Indestro Chicago No. 739 Main Bearing and Cylinder Head Wrench
Fig. 261 shows
an Indestro 739 5/8x3/4 offset box wrench,
stamped "Indestro-Chicago, U.S.A." with the model number on one side,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the back side.
The overall length is 12.6 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The Indestro catalogs list this wrench for main bearing and cylinder head service
in the Chevrolet 6 up through 1932,
plus the Pontiac 6 models from 1928 through 1932.
Super-Quality 767 Ford Main Bearing Socket Wrench
Fig. 262 shows
a Super-Quality 767 socket wrench with 9/16 double-square and 3/4 double-hex broachings,
designed for servicing Ford main bearings.
The wrench is marked "Super-Quality Made in U.S.A." with
"Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the back side.
The overall length is 15.4 inches,
and the finish is cadmium plating.
The 1938 Indestro catalog lists this wrench for main bearing service on Ford "A",
"AA", "B", "BB", and V8 engines.
The catalog illustration shows the distinctive hexagonal shank used at that time for
this and other socket and box-end wrench models.
The model 767 wrench was still listed in the 1939 Indestro catalog,
but had been discontinued by 1941,
with a model 183 wrench in "Select Steel" replacing the chrome alloy model.
Indestro "Super-Quality" 763 9/16x5/8 S-Shaped Box-End Wrench
Fig. 263 shows
an Indestro "Super-Quality" 763 9/16x5/8 S-shaped box-end wrench,
stamped with "Super-Quality" and "U.S.A." on the front,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the back side.
The overall length is 8.0 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished box ends.
Indestro Super-Quality 769 9/16x5/8 Half-Moon Box-End Wrench
Fig. 264 shows
an Indestro Super-Quality 769 9/16x5/8 half-moon box wrench,
stamped "Indestro U.S.A." with "Super-Quality" and the model number on the front side,
with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in the slanted font on the back side.
The overall length is 7.2 inches.
Indestro Super 769A 5/8x3/4 Half-Moon Box-End Wrench
Fig. 265 shows
an Indestro Super 769A 5/8x3/4 half-moon box wrench,
stamped with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on one side,
with "Indestro Super" and the model number on the back side.
The overall length is 7.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Indestro 3415 Battery Pliers
Fig. 266 shows
a pair of Indestro 3415 battery pliers,
stamped "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and "Forged in U.S.A." around the pivot.
The overall length is 7.9 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The 1937 Indestro catalog lists the model 3415 pliers under the Super-Quality brand
and notes the triple-plated finish.
The plain finish on this tool suggests earlier production.
Indestro Super 2161 Brake Spoon
Fig. 267 shows
an Indestro 2161 brake adjusting spoon,
stamped "Indestro Super U.S.A." with "Brake Adjusting Tool" on the back side.
The overall length is 9.1 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Duro Alloy-Steel Tools
Duro's first alloy steel tools were probably the chrome-nickel socket sets introduced in 1931.
However, it's possible that forged alloy steel wrenches could have been in production before the
socket sets —
Duro is believed to have had in-house drop forging capabilities by the early 1930s,
and thus might have started producing open-end wrenches,
as competitors such as Hinsdale Manufacturing had done.
The Chrome-Vanadium Era
Duro's early wrenches were made using chrome-vanadium steel and socket production soon followed.
Chrome-vanadium steel remained the company's preferred alloy through the 1930s and into the 1940s.
Although Duro didn't mark its socket tools for alloy content,
wrenches in both the Handy-Hex and the Duro-Chrome brand were marked with "Chrome-Vanadium".
These specific alloy content markings continued up until the mid wartime years,
but then were discontinued.
(Other companies also discontinued specific alloy markings midway through the war,
leading us to wonder if there had been a directive from the War Production Board.)
Post-War Alloy Usage
In the post-war era alloy content was no longer marked on tools,
as by then tool buyers expected appropriate alloy content anyway.
The Duro catalogs of this era consistently listed "Chrome Alloy Steel" for the higher-grade tools,
but without any further detail on actual alloy usage.
With no further information we might have thought that Duro continued to use chrome-vanadium steel,
but the chance discovery of a newpaper ad provides a different view.
The scan in Fig. 268 shows
an advertisement placed by Duro Metal Products to sell surplus steel stock,
found on page 78 of the December 4, 1949 edition of the Chicago Tribune.
The ad lists one lot of C1045 steel, a medium carbon tool steel,
and numerous lots of 8642 steel, a nickel-chrome-molybdenum alloy widely used for top-grade tools.
AISI 8642 steel (and the similar 8742 alloy) are known to have been used extensively by Herbrand
via forged-in markings on tools,
and some Williams tools tested for alloy content showed a composition similar to these alloys.
(See for example the Herbrand 6923 Wrench
or the Williams 1027 Wrench.)
Although one ad to sell excess steel doesn't prove that Duro used 8642 steel on a continuing basis,
it strongly suggests that Duro was a major buyer and user of this alloy.
Sockets and Drive Tools
By 1931 Duro was offering socket sets with chrome-nickel alloy sockets.
The confirmation comes from the 1931 Sears catalog,
which lists several socket sets under Duro's "DuroBilt" brand,
including a "Super DuroBilt" 40-piece set featuring chrome-nickel sockets.
At this time 6-point sockets were still standard,
but 12-point sockets were available at a slightly higher price.
Fig. 269 shows
a catalog listing for another early Duro chrome-nickel socket set,
found on page 73 of the 1932 J&R Motor Supply catalog.
The illustration shows a forged-body ratchet with the Duro name visible,
which one of our readers reports is a Duro 675 ratchet.
This female-drive model was constructed with a forged handle and two cover plates
securing the mechanism.
Shortly after this time Duro developed their well-known
Pressed-Flange Ratchet,
the patent for which was filed in mid 1932.
Duro's earliest alloy-steel socket sets were all in 1/2-drive,
but tools in 1/4, 3/8, and 3/4-drive soon followed.
The examples here for other drive sizes have been ordered by
3/8-Drive, 1/4-Drive,
and 3/4-Drive.
Duro-Chrome 678D 1/2-Drive Reversible Ratchet
One of the more notable Duro inventions described a novel way for constructing ratchets.
Instead of a conventional ratchet assembly held together with screws or rivets,
the Duro design secured the parts with a pressed flange integral to the forging.
This allowed Duro to produce a high-quality forged ratchet at a reasonably low cost,
and the resulting products were sold widely into high-volume markets.
Duro applied for a patent on the design in 1932 and was issued patent
#1,902,878 in 1933.
Fig. 270 shows
an example of the pressed-flange design,
a 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome model 678D reversible ratchet,
marked with a bold "Duro-Chrome" on a raised panel in the center of the forged handle.
The back side shows a similar panel with "Made in U.S.A." and "Pat. No. 1902878".
The overall length is 10.4 inches,
and the finish is plain steel with a dark oxide coating.
This ratchet has a fairly coarse 18-tooth gear,
but later versions of this model had a 36-tooth mechanism for a much finer action.
The combination of the coarse action and plain finish suggests that this may be a very early model,
possibly dating to the early 1930s.
One interesting feature is the provision of both male and female drive,
as can be seen in the photograph.
Male drive ratchets were becoming more popular in the 1930s and were gradually replacing the older female models.
By providing both drive genders,
Duro allowed the ratchet to work with older sets having double-male extensions and drive plugs.
The 1935 Duro catalog also offered a similar model 677D non-reversible ratchet,
fitted with a female-only drive gear.
The pressed-flange ratchet design remained in production at least until the early 1960s,
with catalog 37-M offering a model 676 female drive ratchet with a 36-tooth action.
Probably the first market for these ratchets,
and perhaps the impetus for their development,
was as part of the "Chrome-Vanadium Socket Wrench Set" offered in the
1933 Western Auto Catalog.
This set sold for a mere $5.68 and included the ratchet,
a speeder, a sliding Tee handle, two extensions, a universal, and ten 12-point sockets,
truly a stunning value for a set of alloy steel tools.
(This set was very similar to the
Indestro Chromium Vanadium 17-Piece Socket Set mentioned earlier,
with the ratchet adapter replaced by the pressed-flange ratchet.)
Duro-Chrome 4487 1/4-Drive Ratchet
Fig. 271 shows
a Duro-Chrome model 4487 1/4-drive reversible ratchet,
marked with "Duro-Chrome" forged into a raised panel on the handle,
with "Made in U.S.A." and "Pat. No. 1902878" forged into the back side.
The overall length is 6.0 inches,
and the finish is cadmium plating.
The ratchet mechanism has a 20-tooth gear and is fitted with a reversing lever,
as with the previous example.
This ratchet also offers both male and female drive.
The Development of Hot-Broached Sockets
In May of 1935 Duro filed for an important patent on their new hot-broaching method for
making sockets,
and the patent was issued as #2,027,922 in January, 1936.
The patent document has an excellent discussion of the prior art (cold-broaching) and
the advantages of hot-broaching,
and is highly recommended for anyone interested in the how and why of such things.
The scan in Fig. 272 provides a description and illustration of the hot-broaching process,
as found on page 3 of the 1946 Duro catalog.
Among the advantages cited are the increased strength of the sockets,
the smooth broach free of chatter marks,
and the relieved lip at the drive end that allows for easier connection to a drive tool.
(The patent even mentions the attractive "scalloped" appearance of the metal pushed ahead
of the broach.)
Duro-Chrome 699 1/2-Drive Dual-Pawl Ratchet
During the 1930s and 40s much effort was devoted to improving ratchet mechanisms,
especially for the "round-head" designs with fine-tooth actions.
While others looked for ways to make finer teeth,
the engineers at Duro Metal Products came up with a novel idea.
Instead of adding more teeth to the gear,
they added a second pawl to the mechanism,
with the teeth of one pawl offset from the other by half a pitch.
Then as the ratchet turned to get a new "bite",
the pawls would alternately drop into position,
thereby effectively doubling the number of teeth.
The inventor W.H. Odlum and collaborators were awarded
patent #2,395,681 in 1946.
Fig. 273 shows
an early example of the Duro-Chrome 699 1/2-drive dual-pawl ratchet,
marked with "U.S.A." and "Pat. Pend." on the cover plate.
The overall length is 10.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The "Pat. Pend." notation indicates that this is an early production model;
based on the patent filing and issue dates,
the likely manufacturing date is in the range 1944-1946.
The dual-pawl action can be heard clearly when the ratchet is turned slowly,
with the two pawls making slightly different clicking sounds as they fall into place.
The Duro catalogs advertised this as having "80 tooth action" without describing
its 40-tooth gear and dual pawls.
One interesting aspect of the construction is that the ratchet has been permanently assembled
by compressing flanges in the head.
This technique was invented by Duro in the early 1930s
(as patent #1,902,878)
and used for a series of ratchet models.
(The patent also appears to have been used by Hinsdale;
see for example the H-12-R Ratchet.)
Although the dual-pawl mechanism was a great idea,
this ratchet model was apparently not very successful as a product.
Two factors probably contributed to its limited success:
first, the patent design required two different pawls,
one with the teeth offset,
and having to make two precision parts would have increased the manufacturing cost.
Secondly,
the permanent assembly negated one of the potential advantages of the round-head ratchet design,
the simple replacement of the ratchet mechanism as a unit.
This could have been significant when the manufacturer offered a lifetime warranty for its tools,
as it would mean replacing the entire unit instead of offering (selling!) an inexpensive renewal kit.
As a result of these issues (or others),
by 1955 Duro-Chrome had already discontinued this model.
(The 1955 catalog still illustrates this ratchet model,
but the price list substitutes a more conventional
Duro-Chrome 675 Ratchet with a 52-tooth design.)
Although not a big success for Duro-Chrome,
the dual-pawl patent did pave the way for great products from other companies.
In the early 1950s,
W.J. Johnson at J.H. Williams & Company made a brilliantly simple (or simply brilliant) improvement
to the design.
Johnson's ratchet is described by patent
#2,772,763 and uses symmetrical dual pawls,
but with an odd number of teeth in the drive gear,
thereby gaining the same benefit with a simpler mechanism.
This resulted in the Williams S-52 (and related) ratchets,
arguably one of the best ratchet designs of all time.
Some years later,
H.J. Haznar at Moore Drop Forging updated the dual-pawl design with an improved shift mechanism
and a quick-release button,
for which he received patent
#3,467,231.
These features were used for the excellent
Craftsman "V" Dual-Pawl Ratchets,
a very popular and highly successful series introduced in the late 1960s.
Duro-Chrome 675 1/2-Drive Ratchet
Fig. 274 shows
a 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 675 ratchet,
marked "Duro-Chrome U.S.A." at the end of the handle.
The overall length is 10.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with a polished head and shank.
The ratchet mechanism is a variant of the classic S-K design and uses a 52-tooth
gear in the drive handle.
The shift mechanism incorporates a detent ball to guard against accidental shifting,
and is described by Duro patent
#2,686,582,
issued in 1954.
This ratchet model was first listed in a supplement (35S) to the 1955 Duro catalog No. 35,
and was intended as a replacement for the discontinued
Duro-Chrome 699 Dual-Pawl Ratchet.
The 1961 Duro catalog listed both the model 675 and a similar model 689 with a longer handle.
The equivalent tool in the Indestro Super line is the
Indestro 3275 Ratchet.
Other examples of similar models include the
Wizard H2833 Ratchet.
Duro-Chrome 666D 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex-Head Handle
Fig. 275 shows
a Duro-Chrome 666D flex-head handle,
marked "U.S.A." with the Duro-Chrome trademark.
The overall length is 11.4 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole and has a 1/2-drive stud on the end.
The latter feature was popular on earlier breaker bars,
when female-drive ratchets were the norm,
as it allowed the breaker bar to operate as an extension.
The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole and a 1/2-drive stud,
allowing additional functionality as a Tee-handle and extension.
Duro-Chrome 657DK 1/2-Drive 15 Inch Flex-Head Handle
Fig. 276 shows
a Duro-Chrome 657DK flex-head handle,
marked "U.S.A." with the Duro-Chrome trademark.
The overall length is 15.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole and a 1/2-drive stud,
allowing additional functionality as a Tee-handle and extension.
Duro-Chrome 669D 1/2-Drive 18 Inch Flex-Head Handle
Fig. 277 shows
a 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 669D 18 inch flex-head handle,
marked "U.S.A." with the Duro-Chrome trademark.
The overall length is 17.6 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole for use as a Tee-handle,
but the end is not broached for square drive.
Earlier versions of this model did include a 1/2-drive broached end,
allowing use as an extension.
Duro-Chrome 663D 1/2-Drive Sliding Tee Handle
Fig. 278 shows
a 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 663D sliding Tee handle,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" on the shank.
The overall length is 11.6 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Duro-Chrome 582 1/2-Drive 3 Inch Extension
Fig. 279 shows
an early 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 582 3 inch extension,
stamped "Duro Chrome" on the shank.
The overall length is 3.1 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating.
The extension is equipped with a 3/8 inch diameter cross-bar hole for use as a Tee-handle.
Duro-Chrome 662D 1/2-Drive 3 Inch Extension
Fig. 280 shows
a later 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 662D 3 inch extension,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "U.S.A." on the drive head.
The overall length is 3.1 inches,
and the finish is polished chrome.
The extension is equipped with a 3/8 inch diameter cross-bar hole for use as a Tee-handle.
Modern Sockets
Duro and Indestro must have been very busy during the late 1930s,
as their socket lineup developed very rapidly in these years.
By the time of the 1938 Duro-Chrome catalog (38M),
almost all of the modern series of sockets had been developed,
and the sockets had been assigned part numbers.
These included the 1/2-drive 11xx, 16xxx, 12xx, and 14xx (deep) series sockets,
the 3/8-drive 44xx series, and the 1/4-drive 45xx series.
Duro-Chrome 1/2-Drive 11xx and 16xx Sockets
Fig. 281 shows
the top-of-the-line for Duro-Chrome's 1/2-drive sockets,
the 11xx series with thin straight walls and 16xx series for thin tapered walls.
These included selected 8-point sizes (marked by appending an "S" to the model number)
and the specialty 1618V8XY socket,
the latter made with ultra-thin walls for certain connecting-rod bolts.
The models and sizes are, from the left, 1118 (9/16), 1618V8XY (9/16), 1625 (25/32),
and 1622S (11/16, 8-Point).
Duro-Chrome 1618V8X 1/2-Drive 9/16 Connecting Rod Socket
Duro-chrome's 16xx series of 1/2-drive sockets included a special 9/16 socket,
made with extra-thin walls for Ford connecting-rod applications.
Although the 16xx sockets were otherwise all double-hex,
this special socket was available in both hex and double-hex broachings,
with model numbers 1618V8X and 1618V8XX respectively.
Fig. 282 shows
a 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 1618V8X 9/16 hex socket,
stamped "U.S.A." on the base.
The lower-right inset shows the hot-broached construction of the socket.
This socket was intended for Ford connecting-rod applications,
which required very thin walls for clearance.
Impact Sockets
Duro didn't offer impact sockets until sometime in the 1950s.
Duro-Chrome 1174 1/2-Drive 3/4 Impact Socket
Fig. 283 shows
a 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 1174 3/4 impact socket,
stamped "U.S.A." on the base.
The finish is chrome plating.
This early impact socket shows the surprising use of a chrome plated finish
with a cross-hatched band,
similar to the Duro-Chrome standard sockets.
3/8-Drive Tools
Socket tools in 3/8-drive were listed in the 1935 Duro catalog,
currently our earliest Duro resource.
Duro-Chrome 4479 3/8-Drive Flex Handle
Fig. 284 shows
a 3/8-drive Duro-Chrome 4479 flex handle,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" on the shank.
The overall length is 8.7 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The plain finish suggests a 1942-1945 manufacturing date.
The knurled handle is broached for a 3/8-drive connection,
as shown in the right inset.
This feature allows the breaker bar to be used as an extension as well.
Duro-Chrome 4481 3/8-Drive Flex Handle
Fig. 285 shows
a 3/8-drive Duro-Chrome 4481 flex-head handle,
marked "U.S.A." near the end of the knurled handle.
The overall length is 9.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with a polished head and shank.
44xx 3/8-Drive Sockets
The 1938 Duro catalog lists the 44xx series of Duro-Chrome 3/8-drive sockets,
but for some reason this drive size was not yet available in the tapered thin-wall
format offered in 1/2- and 1/4-drive.
Instead, the catalog illustration shows these sockets as having narrowed bases and straight walls.
An example of this can be seen in the leftmost socket of Fig. 286,
marked as Duro-Chrome 4420 with size 5/8.
The tapered-wall format was made available later,
as the middle and righthand sockets in Fig. 286 illustrate.
These sockets, marked 4414 7/16 and 4422 11/16 respectively,
both show the same fine cross-hatching that was used for the 1/2-drive 11xx and 16xx series
(see the Duro 1/2-Drive Sockets above.)
The middle socket shows two other interesting details:
the socket is in unfinished steel rather than polished chrome,
and it has a small "G" next to the model number.
We have a number of other Duro tools that also show a "G" marking paired with unfinished steel,
and the "G" marking is believed to indicate a 1945 production date,
when government wartime rationing was in effect.
(The "G" marking was also used as a date code for 1945 on Snap-On tools.)
Duro-Chrome 4535 1/4-Drive Sliding Tee Handle
Fig. 287 shows
a 1/4-drive Duro-Chrome 4535 sliding Tee Handle,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "U.S.A." on the top of the sliding head.
The overall length is 4.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Duro-Chrome 4575A 1/4-Drive Ratchet
Fig. 288 shows
a 1/4-drive Duro-Chrome 4575A ratchet,
marked "U.S.A." on the shift knob.
The overall length is 4.9 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with a polished head and shank.
Duro-Chrome 4571 1/4-Drive Flexible-Shaft Drive Handle
Fig. 289 shows
a Duro-Chrome 4571 1/4-drive flexible-shaft drive handle,
marked "Duro-Chrome" and "U.S.A." on the plastic handle.
The overall length is 7.1 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
In the mid 1930s Duro registered the "Spin-Flex" tradmark for a line of handles and nut drivers
with flexible shafts made with a stiff spring.
Although not marked with the trademark,
this tool is an example of the "Spin-Flex" line.
3/4-Drive Tools
Duro was offering heavy-duty 3/4-drive socket tools by 1935 or earlier.
We have a substantial selection of these tools (including socket sets) and will expand
this section as time permits.
Duro-Chrome 41xx 3/4-Drive 12-Point Sockets
Fig. 290 shows
a group of three Duro-Chrome 41xx 3/4-drive 12-point sockets,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" with the model number and fractional size.
The socket models and sizes are, from the left,
4128 (7/8), 4131 (31/32), and 4132 (1 Inch).
The finish is chrome plating,
with a matte finish on the base and polished upper walls.
The top inset shows the drive end of the sockets,
illustrating the relieved edges of the drive openings.
This was a convenience feature easily added when hot-broaching the opening.
Duro-Chrome 4152 3/4-Drive 1-5/8 12-Point Socket
Fig. 291 shows
a Duro-Chrome 4152 3/4-drive 1-5/8 12-point socket,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" with the model number and fractional size.
The socket has a stepped base and a decorative groove at the transition
to the tapered upper walls.
The finish is chrome plating,
with a matte finish on the base and polished upper walls.
The right inset shows the broached interior of the socket,
with an annular shelf of displaced metal characteristic of Duro's
Hot-Broaching Process.
The left inset shows the drive end of the socket.
Note the relieved edges of the drive opening,
a feature designed to help depress the friction ball when inserting a drive tool.
These relieved edges could be added easily by a suitable mandrel during the hot-broaching process.
A close look at the center of the right inset shows a circular indentation on the drive wall,
a feature to help the drive tool grip the socket.
All four walls have an indentation,
and the indentations appear to have been drilled at an angle after the drive end was broached.
This is a different approach from that taken on other early 3/4-drive sockets such as the
Super-Quality [2248] 3/4-Drive Socket,
where a groove was cut in the drive end prior to broaching,
but which required cold-broaching the drive end to avoid filling in the groove.
Open-End Wrenches
Duro probably started offering open-end wrenches in the early 1930s.
By the time of the 1935 Duro catalog,
Duro-Chrome open-end wrenches were available in industry-standard sizes ranging from No. 1721 (5/16x3/8)
up to No. 1737 (1-1/8x1-1/4).
The wrench markings at this time already included the familiar "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc,
as can be seen in the
Duro-Chrome Wrench Markings
in our section on tool identification.
Duro-Chrome 1723 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 292 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1723 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc on the back side face.
The overall length is 5.0 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
Duro-Chrome "G" 1025 1/2x19/32 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 293 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1025 1/2x19/32 open-end wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on one face,
with a "G" code and the model number on the other face.
The overall length is 6.3 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The plain finish and stamped "G" code indicate a manufacturing date in 1945.
Duro-Chrome 1027 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 294 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1027 19/32x11/16 open-end wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on one face,
with the model number stamped on the other end.
The overall length is 7.1 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Duro-Chrome 1729 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 295 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1729 5/8x3/4 open-end wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on one face,
with the model number stamped on the other end.
The overall length is 8.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 1028-S 5/8x25/32 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 296 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1028-S 5/8x25/32 open-end wrench,
stamped with the
X-Circle logo on the face,
with "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side face.
The overall length is 8.2 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Duro-Chrome 1033C 15/16x1 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 297 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1033C 15/16x1 open-end wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" with "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on one face,
with the model number stamped on the other face,
and with the fractional sizes on the back side faces.
The overall length is 10.6 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 1034-A 15/16x1-1/16 Open-End Wrench
Fig. 298 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1034-A 15/16x1-1/16 open-end wrench,
stamped with the X-Circle logo on the face,
with "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side face.
The overall length is 10.5 inches,
and the finish is black oxide.
Tappet Wrenches
The 1935 Duro catalog offered tappet wrenches in six sizes,
D1 (7/16x17/32), D1A (7/16x1/2), D2 (1/2x9/16), D3 (5/8x11/16), D4(3/4x7/8), and D4A (3/4x13/16).
Duro-Chrome D-1 7/16x17/32 Tappet Wrench
Fig. 299 shows
a Duro-Chrome D-1 7/16x17/32 tappet wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc.
The overall length is 8.0 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
Duro-Chrome D-2 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench
Fig. 300 shows
a Duro-Chrome D-2 1/2x9/16 tappet wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc.
The overall length is 8.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
Duro-Chrome D-3 5/8x11/16 Tappet Wrench
Fig. 301 shows
a Duro-Chrome D-3 5/8x11/16 tappet wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" with "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc on the left face,
with the model number on the right face,
and with the fractional sizes on the back side faces.
The overall length is 9.0 inches.
The original finish was chrome plating,
but most has been lost due to extensive rust.
Duro-Chrome LDT-22 11/16 Long Tappet Wrench
Duro also offered an LDT series of long single-ended tappet wrenches,
as illustrated in the next figure.
Fig. 302 shows
a Duro-Chrome LDT-22 11/16 tappet wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" with "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc on the face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side.
The overall length is 12.3 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating.
Angle-Head Obstruction Wrenches
By 1933 Duro was offering angle-head obstruction wrenches with an interesting design,
using equal openings with one 90 degree offset and one 45 degree offset.
This design is believed to have originated with Herbrand,
and by 1932 Herbrand was supplying "Obstructo" wrenches of this style to Western Auto Supply.
Duro's obstruction wrenches are almost identical copies of the Herbrand counterparts —
even down to the model number —
suggesting that Duro was trying to win more business with Western Auto.
(Duro and Indestro were fiercely competitive in the high-volume low-cost market.)
Duro probably started selling angle-head obstruction wrenches through Western Auto Supply in 1933,
as by this time the catalogs were no longer showing the Herbrand name with the wrenches.
In this same time frame Duro also supplied obstruction wrenches to Sears Roebuck for their
"Cross Country" brand,
and an example can be seen as the
Cross Country 1831 Obstruction Wrench.
Our earliest catalog reference for these wrenches is the 1935 Duro Metal Products catalog.
It lists obstruction wrenches in seven models,
1821 (3/8), 1823 (7/16), 1825 (1/2), 1827 (9/16), 1829 (5/8), 1830 (11/16), and 1831 (3/4).
A set of the seven wrenches in a leatherette roll was available as the No. 18007 set
with a $7.30 list price.
Indestro also offered angle-head obstruction wrenches and (somewhat unusually) used the same model numbers as Duro.
However, for some reason we don't have many examples to show,
so we've lumped the Indestro models together here with Duro.
Duro-Chrome 1821 3/8x3/8 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench
Fig. 303 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1821 3/8x3/8 obstruction wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the face.
The overall length is 5.5 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Duro-Chrome 1823 7/16x7/16 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench
Fig. 304 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1823 7/16x7/16 obstruction wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the face.
The overall length is 5.5 inches.
The finish on this wrench is appears to be polished nickel on the faces
with a satin finish on the shank.
Duro-Chrome 1825 1/2x1/2 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench
Fig. 305 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1825 1/2x1/2 obstruction wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the face.
The overall length is 6.5 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating.
Duro-Chrome 1827 9/16x9/16 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench
Fig. 306 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1827 9/16x9/16 obstruction wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A" on the face.
The overall length is 6.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating,
with some losses due to wear.
[Indestro] Super-Quality 1827 9/16x9/16 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrenches
The next figures show two examples of the Super-Quality 1827 obstruction wrench,
including one with a less common "Indestro" marking.
Fig. 307 shows
an Indestro Super-Quality 1827 9/16x9/16 obstruction wrench,
stamped "Indestro Mfg. Corp. Chicago" on the shank.
One face is stamped with "Super Quality" and the model number,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the other end,
and with "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 6.5 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating with polished faces.
Fig. 308 shows
a similar Super-Quality 1827 9/16x9/16 obstruction wrench,
but without the Indestro marking.
One face is stamped with "Super Quality" and the model number,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" in a slanted font on the other end,
and with "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 6.5 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating with polished faces.
Duro-Chrome 1830 11/16x11/16 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench
Fig. 309 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1830 11/16x11/16 obstruction wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 7.4 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Duro-Chrome 1831 3/4x3/4 Angle-Head Obstruction Wrench
Fig. 310 shows
a Duro-Chrome 1831 3/4x3/4 obstruction wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 7.4 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Ignition Wrenches
Ignition wrenches are a specialized subset of open-end wrenches
designed with small openings and thin heads.
Duro offered ignition wrenches in two styles:
an E6x series with different openings and different offset angles,
and an 8x series with equal-sized openings but different offset angles.
Wrenches in the E6x series were made in model number pairs,
with the same sizes but opposite offset angles.
A review of the Duro catalogs shows that the E6x series wrenches were first offered
sometime after 1935,
with our first reference being the 1938 catalog.
(The 1935 catalog listed wrenches of this design, but in a 176x model number series.)
The 1938 catalog doesn't specify the finish of the wrenches,
suggesting that the wrenches may have had a plain steel finish in the beginning.
One quirk to note is that later catalogs listed the E6x series with just 6x model numbers,
but based on our observations the actual markings include the leading "E".
The 8x series ignition wrenches were first offered in the mid 1940s,
with the 1946 Duro catalog providing our earliest reference.
By 1955 the 8x series was no longer listed in the Duro catalog and presumably had been discontinued.
In the immediate post-war period the finish for both styles was still unspecified,
but by 1955 the 6x series were listed with chrome plated finishes and polished faces.
Duro-Chrome E61 13/64x15/64 Ignition Wrench
The next figures show examples of the E61/E62 pair of 13/16x15/16 ignition wrenches.
Fig. 311 shows
a Duro-Chrome E61 13/64x15/64 ignition wrench,
stamped with "USA" (clipped) and "Duro-Chrome" along a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 3.0 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
In this model the smaller opening is at the less offset end.
The matching wrench with opposite offsets is the E62 model.
Duro-Chrome E62 13/64x15/64 Ignition Wrench
Fig. 312 shows
a Duro-Chrome E62 13/64x15/64 ignition wrench,
stamped with "U.S.A." and "Duro-Chrome" along a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 3.0 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
In this model the larger opening is at the less offset end.
The matching wrench with opposite offsets is the E61 model.
Duro-Chrome E63 7/32x1/4 Ignition Wrench
Fig. 313 shows
a Duro-Chrome E63 7/32x1/4 ignition wrench,
stamped with "U.S.A." and "Duro-Chrome" along a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 3.0 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
In this model the smaller opening is at the less offset end.
The matching wrench with opposite offsets is the E64 model.
Duro-Chrome E65 9/32x5/16 Ignition Wrench
Fig. 314 shows
a Duro-Chrome E65 9/32x5/16 ignition wrench,
stamped "USA" with "Duro Chrome" along a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 3.5 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
In this model the smaller opening is at the less offset end.
The matching wrench with opposite offsets is the E66 model.
Duro-Chrome E67 11/32x3/8 Ignition Wrench
The next two figures show a matched pair of E67/E68 wrenches in the 11/32x3/8 size.
Fig. 315 shows
a Duro-Chrome E67 11/32x3/8 ignition wrench,
stamped "U.S.A." with "Duro-Chrome" in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 4.0 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
In this model the smaller opening is at the less offset end.
The matching wrench with opposite offsets is the E68 model.
Duro-Chrome E68 11/32x3/8 Ignition Wrench
Fig. 316 shows
a Duro-Chrome E68 11/32x3/8 ignition wrench,
stamped "U.S.A." with "Duro-Chrome" in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 4.0 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
In this model the larger opening is at the less offset end.
The matching wrench with opposite offsets is the E67 model.
Duro-Chrome E69 7/16x1/2 Ignition Wrench
Fig. 317 shows
a Duro-Chrome E69 7/16x1/2 ignition wrench,
stamped "U.S.A." with "Duro-Chrome" in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 4.5 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
In this model the smaller opening is at the less offset end.
The E69 model was the largest of the E6x series,
and for some reason Duro didn't make the matching wrench (i.e. with different offset angles)
for this size.
Duro-Chrome 81 7/32x7/32 Ignition Wrench
In later years the 8x series of ignition wrenches were finished with chrome plating and polished faces,
as the next several figures show.
Fig. 318 shows
a Duro-Chrome 81 7/32x7/32 ignition wrench,
stamped "USA" with "Duro Chrome" in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 3.1 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Duro-Chrome 82 15/64x15/64 Ignition Wrench
Fig. 319 shows
a Duro-Chrome 82 15/64x15/64 ignition wrench,
stamped "USA" with "Duro-Chrome" in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 3.1 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Duro-Chrome 83 1/4x1/4 Ignition Wrench
Fig. 320 shows
a Duro-Chrome 83 1/4x1/4 ignition wrench,
stamped "USA" with "Duro-Chrome" in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 3.1 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
Duro-Chrome 86 11/32x11/32 Ignition Wrench
Fig. 321 shows
a Duro-Chrome 86 11/32x11/32 ignition wrench,
stamped "U.S.A." with "Duro-Chrome" in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 3.9 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Duro-Chrome 88 7/16x7/16 Ignition Wrench
Fig. 322 shows
a Duro-Chrome 88 7/16x7/16 ignition wrench,
stamped "U.S.A." with "Duro-Chrome" in a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 4.5 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Combination Wrenches
By 1935 Duro had introduced the Duro-Chrome 020xx series of combination wrenches,
and the initial design had a thin open end with a flat shank and a small round box end.
This design was rather different from what other companies called "combination" wrenches,
and was in effect a combination tappet wrench.
This thin style is illustrated in the 1935, 1938, and 1939 Duro-Chrome catalogs.
The scan in Fig. 323 is from page 7 of the 1935 Duro catalog and shows an early (possibly the first)
listing for the wrenches.
Note that there is no mention of the very thin design,
other than a cryptic mention of "work in difficult places".
For Duro a leading "0" in a model number is usually associated with tools marked for the Handy-Hex brand,
and the page with the combination wrenches has a heading "Handy-Twin-Hex".
However, our examples with a leading "0" model number are marked for Duro-Chrome.
By 1941 Duro had redesigned its combination wrenches to include a paneled shank with rounded edges,
plus a distinctive "dart" design at the open end.
This new design took over the 20xx model series and remained in production at least until the 1960s.
In the "dart" design the thickness of the open end was increased to about that of a standard open-end wrench,
thereby fixing one problem with the original thin wrenches.
However, to our eyes the shank and box end of the "dart" wrenches still look somewhat undersized
for a combination wrench.
With the introduction of the "Dart" style,
Duro began a second 22xx series of combination wrench models with the same extra-thin heads
and flat shanks as the original 20xx models.
But this time at least they labeled the wrenches as "Thin Style" and said
they were intended as a light-duty alternative for work in cramped spaces.
By around 1962 the previously thin 22xx line had bulked up to become Duro's standard-duty combination wrenches,
and an additional series of short combination wrenches had been added.
The short wrenches were identified by an "S" suffix and came in sizes from 2227S (1/4) to 2237S (3/4).
These later 22xx series wrenches are competently made but fairly generic in appearance,
and lack the stylish touches that made earlier Duro/Indestro tools stand out.
The 20xx "Dart" style wrenches were still available in 1962 but were discontinued somewhat later.
One last change to note is that by around 1972 the 22xx combination wrenches had been superseded by a 33xx series,
with sizes ranging from model 3312 (3/8) up to 3364 (2 inches),
and with the last digits of the model number indicating the opening size in 32nds.
By this time we trust that our readers are as confused as we are by the saga of the Duro combination wrench,
and important questions such as "Why did they make the extra thin combination wrenchs in the first place?"
or "Why couldn't the dart style get the 22xx model numbers?" will go forever unanswered.
In this section we'll look at earlier examples of the various combination wrench models,
with production from the mid 1930s up to around 1960.
Later examples can be seen in the section on
Late Combination Wrenches.
Early Thin-Style Combination Wrenches
We'll begin with some very early examples of the Duro-Chrome combination wrench series,
as indicated by the leading "0" of the model number.
The 1935 catalog first listed combination wrenches as the 020xx series,
but by 1938 the series were listed with 20xx model numbers.
Early Duro-Chrome 02032 7/16 Thin Combination Wrench
Fig. 324 shows
a Duro-Chrome 02032 7/16 combination wrench with a flat shank,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the front face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side face.
The overall length is 7.2 inches.
The wrench has a triple-plated finish with polished chrome on the faces and box end
and a satin finish on the shank.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the very thin profile of this early model.
The leading "0" of the model number indicates a production date prior to 1938 for this example,
as the 1938 catalog lists these wrenches in a 20xx series.
Early Duro-Chrome 02033 1/2 Thin Combination Wrench
Fig. 325 shows
a Duro-Chrome 02033 1/2 combination wrench with a flat shank,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the front face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side face.
The overall length is 7.5 inches.
The wrench has a triple-plated finish with polished chrome on the faces and box end
and a satin finish on the shank.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the very thin profile of this early model.
The leading "0" of the model number indicates a production date prior to 1938 for this example,
as the 1938 catalog lists these wrenches in a 20xx series.
Early Duro-Chrome 02035 5/8 Thin Combination Wrench
Fig. 326 shows
a Duro-Chrome 02035 5/8 combination wrench with a flat shank,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the front face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side face.
The overall length is 8.3 inches.
The wrench has a triple-plated finish with polished chrome on the faces and box end
and a satin finish on the shank.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the very thin profile of this early model.
The leading "0" of the model number indicates a production date prior to 1938 for this example,
as the 1938 catalog lists these wrenches in a 20xx series.
Early Duro-Chrome 02036 11/16 Thin Combination Wrench
Fig. 327 shows
a Duro-Chrome 02036 11/16 combination wrench with a flat shank,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the front face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side face.
The overall length is 8.6 inches.
The wrench has a triple-plated finish with polished chrome on the faces and box end
and a satin finish on the shank.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the very thin profile of this early model.
The leading "0" of the model number indicates a production date prior to 1938 for this example,
as the 1938 catalog lists these wrenches in a 20xx series.
Dart-Style Combination Wrenches
The next several figures show examples of "Dart" style combination wrenches,
which were assigned 20xx model numbers previously used for the early thin-format wrenches.
The "Dart" wrenches were produced from around 1941 until the 1960s.
Duro-Chrome 2031 3/8 Combination Wrench, Dart Style
Fig. 328 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2031 3/8 combination wrench,
marked "Forged in U.S.A." on the face,
with a distinctive streamlined dart emanating from the head.
The overall length is 7.3 inches,
and the finish is cadmium plating.
Duro-Chrome 2035 5/8 Combination Wrench, Dart Style
Fig. 329 shows
another example of the streamlined dart design,
a Duro-Chrome 2035 5/8 combination wrench marked "Forged in U.S.A." on the face.
The overall length is 8.9 inches.
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
Duro-Chrome 2037 3/4 Combination Wrench, Dart Style
Fig. 330 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2037 3/4 combination wrench,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the face.
The overall length is 10.2 inches,
and the finish is cadmium plating.
This wrench is a good example of the curved "Forged in U.S.A." marking used on Duro and Indestro tools.
Duro-Chrome 2039 15/16 Combination Wrench, Dart Style
Fig. 331 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2039 15/16 combination wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." on the front face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side face.
The overall length is 10.2 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The plain steel finish indicates production during the 1942-1945 wartime years.
Later Thin-Style Combination Wrenches
The next several figures show examples of Duro's thin combination wrenches in the later 22xx model series.
These wrenches were produced from around 1941 until the early 1960s,
then were superseded by wrenches of standard thickness bearing the same model numbers.
Examples of the later 22xx series with standard dimensions can be seen in the section on
Late Combination Wrenches.
Duro-Chrome 2233 1/2 Thin Combination Wrench
Fig. 332 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2233 1/2 combination wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the front face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side face.
The overall length is 7.7 inches,
and the finish is black oxide augmented with natural rust.
The black oxide finish indicates production during the 1942-1945 wartime years.
This wrench isn't marked with a brand name,
but can be identified by the model number and construction,
and by the "Forged in U.S.A." marking along a curved arc.
Duro-Chrome 2234 9/16 Thin Combination Wrench
Fig. 333 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2234 9/16 combination wrench,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the front face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side face.
The overall length is 8.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating,
with extensive losses due to wear.
The top inset illustrates the thin profile of this model series.
Duro-Chrome 2236 11/16 Thin Combination Wrench
Fig. 334 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2236 11/16 combination wrench,
stamped "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the front face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side face.
The overall length is 9.4 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The top inset shows the very thin profile of this wrench,
comparable to that of a tappet wrench.
Duro-Chrome 2237 3/4 Thin Combination Wrench
Fig. 335 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2237 3/4 combination wrench,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." along a curved arc on the front face,
with the model number and fractional size on the back side face.
The back side face also has a stamped "G" code visible at the left.
The overall length is 9.4 inches,
and the finish is black oxide.
The top inset shows the thin profile of this wrench,
comparable to that of a tappet wrench.
The black oxide finish and stamped "G" code indicate production in 1945.
Box-End Wrenches
Duro's earliest box-end wrench production is believed to have been the "Perfection" brand wrenches
sold through Western Auto Supply beginning in 1932.
These wrenches were developed as copies of the Herbrand "Multihex" wrenches first offered by
Western Auto in 1931.
Duro's own production initially used the Handy-Hex brand.
Our first catalog reference for box-end wrenches is the 1935 Duro catalog,
which lists box wrenches in four basic styles under a "Handy-Twin-Hex" heading.
All of the wrenches have a five-digit model number with a leading "0",
which match the model numbers of the known Handy-Hex wrenches.
This strongly suggests that all of the box wrenches were being marked with the Handy-Hex brand at this time.
Our next catalog reference is the 1938 Duro catalog,
and by this time the box wrenches are listed under a Duro-Chrome heading and are illustrated with
streamlined panels.
In addition, the wrenches now have the Duro standard four-digit model numbers without the leading zero.
Since the catalogs suggest a change to the Duro-Chrome brand around the advent of the
streamlined panel design,
we checked our substantial inventory of Duro-Chrome wrenches for confirmation.
Based on our inventory,
we found that the Duro-Chrome marking occurs only on wrenches with the streamlined panel design,
except for a few specialty wrenches that were never produced with the streamlined design.
Conversely, no wrenches in the streamlined panel design have been found marked for Handy-Hex,
except when also marked for Duro-Chrome.
Based on the catalog information and empirical evidence,
we believe that Duro used the Handy-Hex brand exclusively for box wrenches up until about 1937,
and then switched to the Duro-Chrome brand for the subsequent production with streamlined panels.
(The occasional Duro-Chrome and Handy-Hex dual markings were probably done to provide continuity
with the older brand.)
With this information we can estimate the production dates for Handy-Hex tools as the early 1930s to 1936.
As with the Indestro box wrenches,
the Duro wrenches were available in four basic styles with a wide range of sizes.
And once again,
the box wrenches received ad hoc model numbers,
not derived from industry-standard numbers,
and not matching the Indestro models.
Offset Box-End Wrenches
In 1935 Duro's offset box-end wrenches were available in nine sizes,
with models 02051 (3/8x7/16), 02052 (1/2x9/16), 02053 (5/8x11/16), 02054 (3/4x25/32), 02055 (13/16x7/8),
02056 (15/16x 1 inch), 02057 (1-1/16x1-1/8), 02058A (1-3/16x1-1/4), and 02058B (1-1/8x1-1/4).
The model numbers with a leading "0" correspond to the Handy-Hex brand,
and the later Duro-Chrome tools used the same numbers without the leading "0".
In later years some additional sizes were available.
Handy-Hex 02051 3/8x7/16 Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 336 shows
a Handy-Hex 02051 3/8x7/16 offset box-end wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the shank,
with "Handy-Hex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 7.8 inches,
and the finish appears to be nickel plating.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the deep offset profile of this design.
Handy-Hex 02052 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 337 shows
a Handy-Hex 02052 1/2x9/16 offset box-end wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the shank,
with "Handy-Hex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 8.8 inches.
The finish is plain steel,
with possible traces of a plated finish.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the deep offset profile of this design.
Duro-Chrome 2052A 9/16x5/8 Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 338 shows
a later Duro-Chrome 2052A 9/16x5/8 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and the model number
on the front panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.
The overall length is 9.5 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The lack of an alloy steel specification indicates a post-war production date for this example.
Handy-Hex 02053 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench
The next several figures show two generations of the 02053/2053 5/8x11/16 wrench model,
with differences in the brand marking and finish.
Fig. 339 shows
an earlier Handy-Hex 02053 5/8x11/16 offset box-end wrench,
stamped with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on one side,
with "Handy-Hex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 9.9 inches.
The finish is chrome plating with polished ends,
with some losses due to wear and corrosion.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the deep offset profile of this design.
Fig. 340 shows
another Handy-Hex 02053 5/8x11/16 offset box-end wrench,
stamped with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on one side,
with "Handy-Hex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 10.2 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 2053 5/8x11/16 Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 341 shows
a later Duro-Chrome 2053 5/8x11/16 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and the
X-Circle logo on the front panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 10.0 inches,
and the finish is black oxide augmented by rust.
The lack of the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking and use of the X-Circle logo suggest production
in the later 1943-1945 wartime years.
Handy-Hex 02054 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrenches
The next several figures show examples of the 02054/2054 3/4x25/32 wrench model,
with differences in the brand marking and finish.
Fig. 342 shows
an earlier Handy-Hex 02054 3/4x25/32 offset box-end wrench,
marked "Made in U.S.A." with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the back side.
The overall length is 11.3 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the deep offset profile of this design.
Fig. 343 shows
another Handy-Hex 02054 3/4x25/32 offset box-end wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the shank,
with "Handy-Hex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 11.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished box ends.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the deep offset profile of this design.
Duro-Chrome 2054 3/4x25/32 Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 344 shows
a later Duro-Chrome 2054 3/4x25/32 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the front panel,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 11.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
An earlier version of this model can be seen as the
Handy-Hex 02054 Offset Box Wrench.
Handy-Hex 02055 13/16x7/8 Offset Box Wrench
The next figures show two generations of the 02055/2055 13/16x7/8 wrench model,
with differences in the brand marking and finish.
Fig. 345 shows
an earlier Handy-Hex 02055 13/16x7/8 offset box wrench,
stamped with "Handy-Hex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 12.7 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating,
with losses due to wear and rust.
The markings on this wrench are upside-down when the wrench is turned over,
unlike most of the other Handy-Hex examples.
Duro-Chrome 2055 13/16x7/8 Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 346 shows
a later Duro-Chrome 2055 13/16x7/8 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and the fractional sizes on the front panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the model number on the back side.
The overall length is 12.8 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The lack of an alloy steel marking on this example suggests production in the post-war period.
Handy-Hex 02056 15/16x1 Offset Box-End Wrench
Fig. 347 shows
a Handy-Hex 02056 15/16x1 offset box-end wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the shank,
with "Handy-Hex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 14.4 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating,
with some losses due to rust.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench,
illustrating the deep offset profile of this design.
Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 2056 15/16x1 Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 348 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2056 15/16x1 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the front panel,
with "Duro-Chrome" and the
X-Circle logo on the back side panel.
The overall length is 14.5 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The lack of the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking and use of the X-Circle logo suggest production
in the later 1943-1945 wartime years.
Duro-Chrome 2057 1-1/16x1-1/8 Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 349 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2057 1-1/16x1-1/8 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the front panel,
with "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side panel.
The overall length is 16.4 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating steel.
The streamlined panels, chrome finish, and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking indicate production
from 1937 to the early 1940s.
Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 2058A 1-3/16x1-1/4 Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 350 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2058A 1-3/16x1-1/4 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and the
X-Circle logo on the front panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 18.0 inches,
and the finish is cadmium plating.
The lack of the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking and use of the X-Circle logo suggest production
in the later 1943-1945 wartime years.
Note also the somewhat poorly trimmed edges visible in the top inset,
another indication of wartime production.
Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 2058B 1-1/8x1-1/4 Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 351 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2058B 1-1/8x1-1/4 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and the
X-Circle logo on the front panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 18.2 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The lack of the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking and use of the X-Circle logo suggest production
in the later 1943-1945 wartime years.
Duro-Chrome "Handy-Hex" 2059A 1-5/16x1-3/8 Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 352 shows
one of the larger Duro-Chrome box wrenches,
a Duro-Chrome 2059A 1-5/16x1-3/8 offset box wrench with streamlined raised panels.
The wrench is dual-marked with "Duro-Chrome" and "Handy-Hex" stamped on the front panel,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 20.3 inches.
The original finish was chrome plating,
but most has been lost due to rust.
Short Offset Box-End Wrenches
Duro offered short offset box wrenches in four sizes in a 204x model series.
The models and sizes were 2041 (3/8x7/16), 2042 (1/2x9/16), 2043 (5/8x11/16), and 2044 (3/4x25/32).
Although these wrenches were available during the Handy-Hex era,
they appear to be uncommon,
and we don't have any examples to show.
Duro-Chrome 2041 3/8x7/16 Short Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 353 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2041 3/8x7/16 short offset box wrench,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and the model number on the streamlined raised panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.
Note also the stamped "G" and "A" codes in front of the model number.
The overall length is 5.6 inches,
and the finish is plain steel or black oxide.
The plain steel or black oxide finish would suggest a manufacturing date during 1942-1945,
but the "G" code stamped on the panel indicates a more precise 1945 date.
The "G" code indicates manufacture in 1945 under restrictive government regulations,
and can be found occasionally on tools of this era.
(The use of the "G" date code by Snap-on is well documented.)
The meaning of the "A" code is not known.
Duro-Chrome 2042 1/2x9/16 Short Offset Box Wrenches
The next figures show two generations of the 2042 short offset box wrench.
Fig. 354 shows
an earlier Duro-Chrome 2042 1/2x9/16 short offset box wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the streamlined raised panel.
The back side panel is stamped with the "2042" model number between "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A.",
but is difficult to read due to pitting.
The overall length is 5.6 inches.
The finish is plain steel with extensive pitting due to rust,
possibly with traces of a prior plated finish.
Fig. 355 shows
a later Duro-Chrome 2042 1/2x9/16 short offset box wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" with the model number on the streamlined raised panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side.
Note also the stamped "G" code in front of the model number.
The overall length is 5.2 inches,
and the finish is black oxide.
The black oxide finish would suggest a manufacturing date during 1942-1945,
but the "G" code stamped on the panel indicates a more precise 1945 date.
The "G" code indicates manufacture in 1945 under restrictive government regulations,
and can be found occasionally on tools of this era.
(The use of the "G" date code by Snap-on is well documented.)
Duro-Chrome 2043 5/8x11/16 Short Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 356 shows
a later Duro-Chrome 2043 5/8x11/16 short offset box wrench with raised streamlined panels,
stamped with "Duro Chrome" and the fractional sizes on the front panel,
with the model number and "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side panel.
The overall length is 6.3 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
The markings on this wrench differ from earlier examples in that the fractional sizes are placed
on the panel with the Duro-Chrome brand,
with the model number on the back side.
Duro-Chrome 2044 3/4x25/32 Short Offset Box Wrench
Fig. 357 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2044 3/4x25/32 short offset box wrench with raised streamlined panels,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the front panel,
with "Duro Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side panel.
The overall length is 7.0 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating,
with some losses due to rust.
Angled Box-End Wrenches
In 1935 angled box-end wrenches were available in five sizes,
with models 02011 (3/8x7/6), 02012 (1/2x9/16), 02013 (9/16x5/8), 02014 (11/16x25/32), and 02015 (3/4x7/8).
Duro-Chrome "G" 2011 3/8x7/16 Box-End Wrench
Fig. 358 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2011 3/8x7/16 box-end wrench,
stamped with the Duro-Chrome trademark and a "G" code on the streamlined raised panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side panel.
The overall length is 6.8 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The stamped "G" code and plain finish indicate a wartime production date in 1945.
Duro-Chrome 2013 9/16x5/8 Box-End Wrenches
The next figures show two generations of the Duro-Chrome 2013 box wrench.
Fig. 359 shows
an earlier Duro-Chrome 2013 9/16x5/8 box-end wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the front panel,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the back side.
The overall length is 9.0 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.
Fig. 360 shows
a later Duro-Chrome 2013 9/16x5/8 box-end wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and the
X-Circle logo on the front panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.
The overall length is 9.0 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The Indestro equivalent of this model can be seen as the
Super-Quality 713 Box Wrench.
Duro-Chrome "G" 2014A 11/16x3/4 Box-End Wrench
Fig. 361 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2014A 11/16x3/4 box-end wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and a "G" code on the front panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 10.3 inches,
and the finish is plain steel or black oxide.
The stamped "G" code and plain finish indicate a wartime production date in 1945.
Duro-Chrome 2014 11/16x25/32 Box-End Wrench
Fig. 362 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2014 11/16x25/32 box-end wrench with streamlined raised panels,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the front panel,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 10.1 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.
Duro-Chrome 2015 3/4x7/8 Box-End Wrenches
The next two figures show examples of the Duro-Chrome 2015 wrench,
both from wartime production but with interesting differences in construction and marking.
Fig. 363 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2015 3/4x7/8 box-end wrench with raised streamlined panels,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the front panel,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.
The overall length is 11.1 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The plain finish suggests production during the wartime years,
and the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking suggests the earlier 1941-1942 period.
Except for the plain finish,
this wrench would be typical of Duro's production in the late 1930s to early 1940s.
Fig. 364 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2015 3/4x7/8 box-end wrench with raised parallelogram panels,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the front panel,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.
The overall length is 11.1 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The plain finish and the use of parallelogram panels on a Duro-marked tool suggest production
during the wartime years,
and the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking suggests the earlier 1941-1942 period.
Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 2015A 13/16x7/8 Box-End Wrench
Fig. 365 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2015A 13/16x7/8 box-end wrench with streamlined panels,
stamped with "Duro-Chrome" and the
X-Circle logo on the front panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." and the fractional sizes on the back side panel.
The overall length is 11.3 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The lack of the "Chrome Vanadium Steel" marking and use of the X-Circle logo suggest production
in the later 1943-1945 wartime years.
Duro-Chrome 2017 1-1/16x1-1/8 Box-End Wrench
Fig. 366 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2017 1-1/16x1-1/8 box-end wrench with streamlined panels,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Forged in U.S.A." on the raised panel,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 17.7 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The plain finish suggests production in the early wartime years.
Short Angled Box-End Wrenches
Duro-Chrome offered short angled (15 degree) box wrenches in a 206x model series.
The models and sizes were 2061 (3/8x7/16), 2062 (1/2x9/16), 2063 (5/8x11/16), and 2064 (3/4x25/32).
Duro-Chrome 2061 3/8x7/16 Short Box-End Wrench
Fig. 367 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2061 3/8x7/16 box wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" on the streamlined raised panel,
with "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 4.1 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating.
The plated finish and lack of an alloy specification indicate production in the post-war era.
Duro-Chrome "Handy-Hex" 2062 1/2x9/16 Short Box-End Wrench
Fig. 368 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2062 1/2x9/16 box wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Handy-Hex" on the streamlined raised panel,
with the fractional sizes and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the back side panel.
The overall length is 4.6 inches.
The finish is plain steel,
possibly with traces of a plated finish.
Specialty Tools
Duro/Indestro also offered a number of specialty tools for various service applications.
Handy-Hex 273 11/16x11/16 Head and Manifold Wrench
Fig. 369 shows
a Handy-Hex 273 11/16x11/16 Ell-shaped socket and box-end wrench,
stamped "Handy-Hex" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the back side.
The overall length is 14.2 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating,
with extensive losses due to wear and rust.
The socket end also has a very faint "Chromium Vanadium" marking (not shown),
possibly indicating that this wrench was made as contract production.
The 1935 Duro catalog lists this wrench for head bolts and manifold nuts
on Ford Models "A", "AA", "B", "BB", "V8-18", and "V8-40".
Duro-Chrome 268 "Handy-Hex" 7/16x1/2 8-Point Brake Wrench
Fig. 370 shows
a Duro-Chrome 268 7/16x1/2 8-point brake wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" with the model number on the shank,
with "Ford Brakes" and "Handy-Hex" and the fractional sizes on the back side.
The overall length is 11.0 inches.
The Duro-Chrome marking and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" specification suggest
production from 1937 to the early 1940s.
Duro-Chrome 2071 "Handy-Hex" 11/16x25/32 S-Shaped Box-End Wrench
The next two figures show examples of an unusual S-Shaped box-end wrench type,
or "double crescent" wrenches as the Duro catalogs called them.
Fig. 371 shows
a Duro-Chrome 2071 11/16x25/32 S-shaped box-end wrench,
stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "Handy-Hex" with the model number on the shank,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the back side.
The overall length is 8.7 inches.
This wrench bears the modern catalog number 2071,
but retains the "Handy-Hex" marking to show continuity with the older brand.
The Duro-Chrome marking and "Chrome Vanadium Steel" specification suggest
production from 1937 to the early 1940s.
Handy-Hex 02072 3/4x7/8 S-Shaped Box-End Wrench
Fig. 372 shows
an earlier Handy-Hex model 02072 3/4x7/8 S-shaped box-end wrench,
stamped "Handy-Hex and "Made in U.S.A." with the model number on the shank,
with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" on the back side.
The overall length is 9.7 inches.
The Handy-Hex brand with the leading "0" in the model number indicates that this is an early Duro box wrench,
made from the early 1930s to 1936.
Handy-Hex 02081 9/16x5/8 Half-Moon Box-End Wrench
The next figures show two generations of the 02081/2081 half-moon wrench.
Fig. 373 shows
an early Handy-Hex 02081 9/16x5/8 half-moon box wrench,
stamped with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" and "Handy-Hex" on one side,
with "Manifold & Starter" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 7.2 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating,
with some losses due to wear.
The Duro catalogs refer to this style as an "elbow wrench".
An example of the Duro-Chrome version of this model can be seen as the
Duro-Chrome 2081 Half-Moon Box Wrench.
Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 2081 9/16x5/8 Half-Moon Box Wrench
Fig. 374 shows
a later Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 2081 9/16x5/8 half-moon box wrench,
stamped "Manifold & Starter" with the
X-Circle logo
and fractional sizes on one side,
with "Duro-Chrome" and the model number plus "Forged in U.S.A." on the back side.
The overall length is 7.1 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
The lack of an alloy marking and use of the X-Circle logo suggest production
in the later 1943-1945 wartime years.
Duro-Chrome 276AB Piston Pin Tool
Fig. 375 shows
a Duro-Chrome 276AB piston pin tool,
designed to remove and install the piston pins in Ford "A" and "B" models.
The tool is marked "U.S.A." with the model and Duro-Chrome trademark,
as shown in the insets.
The overall length is 9.7 inches,
and the finish is polished steel.
Similar tools were offered by other companies,
for example the
Plomb 6505 Piston Tool.
DuroLite 16S6 Screwdriver
In the 1930s Duro introduced the DuroLite brand for a line of screwdrivers,
and the next figure shows an example.
Fig. 376 shows
a DuroLite 16S6 screwdriver,
marked with the DuroLite brand molded into the plastic handle,
and with "Chrome Vanadium Steel" stamped on the shank.
The overall length is 11.1 inches,
and the finish is plain steel.
Duro-Chrome No. 2100 10 Inch Waterpump Pliers
Fig. 377 shows
a pair of Duro-Chrome No. 2100 10 inch waterpump pliers,
stamped with the X-Circle logo
and "Forged in U.S.A." on the handle.
The overall length is 10.1 inches fully extended.
The finish is plain steel,
indicating a likely manufacturing date of 1942-1945.
The handles of the pliers incorporate a bold raised panels with Duro's "streamlined" motif at one end.
Duro-Chrome No. 2114 Battery Pliers with Box-End Handles
The next figure shows a pair of battery pliers with unusual box-end wrench handles,
marked with a design patent.
Fig. 378 shows
a pair of Duro-Chrome 2114 battery pliers,
marked "Forged in U.S.A." with "Des. 119,441" for the design patent.
The design patent #D119,441 was
issued on Mar. 12, 1940 to W.A. Sandy and assigned to Duro Metal Products.
Duro-Chrome No. 2115 Battery Pliers
By 1935 Duro was offering several models of pliers forged from chrome-vanadium steel.
The scan in Fig. 379 from page 18 of the 1935 Duro catalog shows the No. 2115 battery pliers.
Note that the design at that time already included the dart-like motif extending into the handle.
Fig. 380 shows
a pair of Duro-Chrome No. 2115 battery pliers,
marked "Forged in U.S.A." near the pivot.
Note that the handle incorporates a raised panel with one end of Duro's "streamlined" motif.
The overall length is 8.0 inches,
and the finish is cadmium plating.
The cadmium finish indicates a likely manufacturing date of 1942-1945.
The Indestro equivalent of this model can be seen as the
Indestro 3415 Battery Pliers.
Pliers of this type were popular for servicing battery cables,
as the clamp bolt nuts were frequently too rounded by corrosion to be gripped by a wrench.
Battery pliers were produced by several other companies as well,
and examples include the
Herbrand 179 Pliers
and
Utica 524 Pliers.
Duro-Chrome No. 2120 "Steeldraulic" Pliers
In the late 1920s and early 1930s several makes of automobiles (e.g. Hupmobile, Auburn)
were equipped with Steeldraulic brakes,
a brand of mechanical brakes with an odd adjusting mechanism.
Special pliers were required for making adjustments to these brakes,
and not surprisingly the pliers came to be known as Steeldraulic pliers.
Fig. 381 shows
a pair of Duro-Chrome No. 2120 specialty pliers for Steeldraulic brake adjustments,
stamped "Duro Chrome U.S.A." on a raised panel.
The overall length is 5.6 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
Steeldraulic pliers were produced by several other companies as well,
and examples include the
Blackhawk 2581 Pliers,
Bonney 2581 Pliers,
Herbrand 272 Pliers,
Utica 516 Pliers,
and
Vacuum Grip No. 14 Pliers.
Duro-Chrome No. 2126 Brake Spring Pliers
The scan in Fig. 382 shows
a listing for Duro-Chrome brake spring pliers
from page 18 of the 1935 Duro catalog.
Two models were available, No. 2125 at 5.5 inches and No. 2126 at 13.5 inches.
Note that these pliers already incorporate a dart-like raised panel that would later
become Indestro's "Streamlined" trademark.
Fig. 383 shows
a pair of Duro-Chrome No. 2126 brake spring pliers,
stamped "Duro Chrome U.S.A." on the upper arm.
The overall length is 13.3 inches,
and the finish is nickel plating.
Duro-Chrome 648 Battery Tool
Fig. 384 shows
a Duro-Chrome 648 battery cable lifter,
a tool designed to remove and service battery cable clamps.
The handle is forged with streamlined raised panels,
marked "648 Duro-Chrome" on one side and "Forged in U.S.A." on the other,
and the end is equipped with a 9/16 12-point opening.
The overall length is 7.2 inches,
and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
The tool is also marked with a notice for patent
#2,363,350,
issued to W.P. Nail in 1944.
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![[Indestro Super 3208 1/2-Drive 17 Inch Speeder]](Photos/tools/indestro_12dr_3208_speeder_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Chromium Vanadium 3221 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex Handle]](Photos/tools/indestro_12dr_3221_breaker_flex_stud_cv_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 3221 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex Handle]](Photos/tools/indestro_12dr_3221_breaker_flex_stud_super_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro 3204 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Double-Male Extension]](Photos/tools/indestro_12dr_3204_ext_6in_no3111b_f_cropped.jpg)
![[Indestro 3216 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/indestro_12dr_3216_ext_6in_n696_f_cropped.jpg)
![[Indestro Chromium Vanadium 3216 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/chromium_vanadium_12dr_3216_ext_f_cropped.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 3216 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/indestro_super_12dr_3216_ext_6in_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Chromium Vanadium No. 3211 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/chromium_vanadium_12dr_3211_ext_10in_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Chromium Vanadium No. 3211 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/indestro_12dr_3211_ext_10in_cv_n694_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Super No. 3211 1/2-Drive 10 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/indestro_super_12dr_3211_ext_10in_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro 3214 1/2-Drive Double-Female Universal]](Photos/tools/indestro_12dr_3214_universal_n696_f_cropped.jpg)
![[Indestro 3217 1/2-Drive Universal]](Photos/tools/indestro_12dr_3217_universal_riverside_f_cropped.jpg)
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![[Indestro 2763 3/8-Drive Sliding Tee Handle]](Photos/tools/indestro_38dr_2763_sliding_tee_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 2781 3/8-Drive Flex Handle]](Photos/tools/indestro_super_38dr_2781_flex_handle_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 2797 3/8-Drive Universal]](Photos/tools/indestro_super_38dr_2797_univ_f_cropped.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 2730 3/8-Drive 3 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/indestro_super_38dr_2730_ext_3in_f_cropped.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 2733 3/8-Drive 6 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/indestro_super_38dr_2733_ext_6in_f_cropped.jpg)
![[Indestro 2734 3/8-Drive 8 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/indestro_38dr_2734_ext_8in_plain_f_cropped.jpg)
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![[Super-Quality Socket Set]](Photos/tools/indestro_superquality_socket_set_cropped_reduced.jpg)
![[Indestro Chromium Vanadium 2364 3/4-Drive 8 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/indestro_34dr_2364_extension_8in_crv_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
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![[Super-Quality 1721 5/16x3/8 Open-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_oe1012_1721_wrench_cvs_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Chrome Vanadium Steel 1723 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_oe1214_1723_wrench_cvs_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
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![[Super-Quality 1027 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_oe1922_1027_wrench_cvs_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 1731-A 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_oe2428_1731a_wrench_cvs_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Chrome Vanadium Steel 1033 7/8x31/32 Open-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_oe2831_1033_wrench_cvs_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Super T-1A 7/16x1/2 Tappet Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_oe1416_t1a_wrench_tappet_super_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Super T-1 7/16x17/32 Tappet Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_oe1417_1_wrench_tappet_super_f2_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Super T-2 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_oe1618_2_tappet_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Chrome Vanadium Steel No. 3 5/8x11/16 Tappet Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_oe2022_3_wrench_tappet_cvs_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 775 5/8 Thin Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_c20_775_wrench_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 730A 7/16x1/2 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_super_db1416_730a_wrench_offset_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Polygon 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db1618_wrench_offset_polygon_cv_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Polygon 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db1618_polygon_wrench_offset_cv_plain_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Chicago 731 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db1618_731_wrench_offset_chicago_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 731 1/2x9/16 Offset Box Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_db1618_731_wrench_offset_cvslant_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super-Quality 731 1/2x9/16 Offset Box Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_db1618_731_wrench_offset_panel_cvslant_b_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 731 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db1618_731_wrench_offset_panel_super_b_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 731A 9/16x5/8 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db1820_731a_wrench_offset_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Polygon 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db2022_polygon_wrench_offset_cv_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Polygon 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db2022_wrench_offset_polygon_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super-Quality 732 5/8x11/16 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/super-quality_db2022_732_wrench_offset_cv_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Polygon 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db2425_polygon_wrench_offset_cv_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Chicago 733 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db2425_733_wrench_offset_chicago_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 733 3/4x25/32 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_db2425_733_wrench_offset_cvslant_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Super-Quality (X-Circle) 733 3/4x25/32 Offset Box Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_db2425_wrench_offset_xcircle_cd_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Polygon 13/16x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db2628_polygon_wrench_offset_cv_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 734 13/16x7/8 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/super-quality_db2628_734_wrench_offset_cv_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 758A 1-3/16x1-1/4 Offset Box Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db3840_758a_wrench_offset_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super-Quality 741 3/8x7/16 Short Offset Box Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db1214_741_wrench_offset_super_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super-Quality 711 3/8x7/16 Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/super-quality_db1214_711_wrench_xcircle_plain_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super-Quality 713 9/16x5/8 Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_db1820_713_wrench_panel_cvs_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Super-Quality 714 11/16x25/32 Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/super-quality_db2225_714_wrench_cv_plain_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 715 3/4x7/8 Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_db2428_wrench_panel_xcircle_cadmium_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 752 1/2x9/16 Short Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/super-quality_db1618_752_wrench_panel_plain_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 753 5/8x11/16 Short Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_db2022_753_wrench_plain_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Indestro Chicago 739 5/8x3/4 Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_db2024_739_wrench_offset_cvslant_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 767 9/16(square)x3/4 Main Bearing Socket Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_767_wrench_socket_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
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![[Indestro Super-Quality 769 9/16x5/8 Half-Moon Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_769_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Super 769A 5/8x3/4 Half-Moon Box Wrench]](Photos/tools/indestro_super_db2024_769a_wrench_halfmoon_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome 666D 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex-Head Handle]](Photos/tools/duro_12dr_666d_breaker_flex_f_cropped.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 657DK 1/2-Drive 15 Inch Flex-Head Handle]](Photos/tools/duro_12dr_657dk_breaker_flex_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 1/2-Drive 669D 18 Inch Flex-Head Handle]](Photos/tools/duro_12dr_669d_breaker_flex_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 1/2-Drive 663D Sliding Tee Handle]](Photos/tools/duro_12dr_663d_handle_sliding_tee_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro 582 1/2-Drive 3 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/duro_12dr_582_ext_crossbar_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro 662D 1/2-Drive 3 Inch Extension]](Photos/tools/duro_12dr_662d_ext_3in_f_cropped_inset2_gs.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 1/2-Drive Sockets]](Photos/tools/duro_sockets_12dr_12pt_cropped.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome 4479 3/8-Drive Flex Handle]](Photos/tools/duro_38dr_4479_breaker_flex_plain_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome 3/8-Drive Sockets]](Photos/tools/duro_sockets_38dr_12pt_cropped.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome 1027 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe1922_1027_wrench_chrome_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome 1033C 15/16x1 Open-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe3032_1033c_wrench_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome (X-Circle) 1034-A 15/16x1-1/16 Open-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe3034_1034a_wrench_xcircle_black_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome D-2 1/2x9/16 Tappet Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe1618_d2_wrench_tappet_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome D-3 5/8x11/16 Tappet Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe2022_d3_wrench_tappet_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome 1823 7/16x7/16 Obstruction Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe1414_1823_wrench_obst_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 1825 1/2x1/2 Obstruction Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe1616_1825_wrench_obst_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 1827 9/16x9/16 Obstruction Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe1818_1827_wrench_obst_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Indestro Super-Quality 1827 9/16x9/16 Obstruction Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_oe1818_1827_wrench_obst_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Super-Quality 1827 9/16x9/16 Obstruction Wrench]](Photos/tools/superquality_oe1818_1827_wrench_obst_cvs_slanted_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome 1831 3/4x3/4 Obstruction Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe2424_1831_wrench_obst_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome E62 13/64x15/64 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee1315_e62_wrench_ignition_chrome_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome E63 7/32x1/4 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee1416_e63_wrench_ignition_chrome_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome E65 9/32x5/16 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee1820_e65_wrench_ignition_plain_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome E67 11/32x3/8 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee2224_e67_wrench_ignition_plain_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome E68 11/32x3/8 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee2224_e68_wrench_ignition_plain_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome E69 7/16x1/2 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee2832_e69_wrench_ignition_plain_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 81 7/32x7/32 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee1414_81_wrench_ignition_chrome_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 82 15/64x15/64 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee1515_82_wrench_ignition_chrome_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 83 1/4x1/4 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee1616_83_wrench_ignition_chrome_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 86 11/32x11/32 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oee2222_86_wrench_ignition_plain_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 88 7/16x7/16 Ignition Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_oe1414_88_wrench_ignition_plain_f_cropped.jpg)
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![[Duro-Chrome 02033 1/2 Thin Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c16_02033_wrench_combo_thin_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 02035 5/8 Thin Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c20_02035_wrench_combo_thin_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 02036 11/16 Thin Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c22_02036_wrench_combo_thin_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 2031 3/8 Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c12_2031_wrench_combo_cadmium_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 2035 5/8 Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c20_2035_wrench_combo_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 2037 3/4 Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c24_2037_wrench_combo_cadmium_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 2039 15/16 Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c30_2039_wrench_combo_dart_plain_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 2233 1/2 Thin Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c16_2233_wrench_combo_thin_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 2234 9/16 Thin Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c18_2234_wrench_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
![[Duro-Chrome 2236 11/16 Thin Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/duro_c22_2236_wrench_combo_thin_plain_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
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