Posted 5 years ago
AnythingOb…
(1778 items)
Picked outta an old toolbox once owned by a now deceased brother-in-law (from amongst other not-so-interesting rusty tools/etc) I thought this one deserved a little bit of cleanup and slightly better storage. :-) I know nothing else about it other than what's shown here.
Measuring about 8" long overall, its shank is 3/8" square between its ~7/16"w blade and is indeed one solid piece of steel through its entire handle with a hex shaped profile on that end. Its wooden (probably first painted black?) handle is fastened to it via a rivet thru its ferrule, which is stamped with the "Matchless" (in cursive font) name and "MADE IN U.S.A".
Its 'cleanup' consisted of a little work with the rotary wire-wheel to lose the outer rustiness it was found with, some 'pitting' still remains on its blade from that and I don't think I care...?? ;-) :-)
THANKS LOTS to bobby725, fortapache, Watchsearcher, Irishcollector., yougottahavestuff, & Brunswick for sharing the <love it>s! Thomas, indeed its blade is a pretty substantial chunk of steel -- it could probably be used as a chisel too?!! (but I wouldn't wanna do that to it...) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
I believe or think Matchless tools came out in the mid or late 1970's. I have several of their screw drivers form 3' to over 12" in my roll around. Both the steel and the wooden handles stand up well. I don't think they are a collectable but I never checked because I wouldn't sell mine anyway.
Bridgeport Hardware Manufacturing used a number of unregistered brands for its products, including "Matchless", "Hy-Bar", and other names. Appears to be a nice old through handle slotted screwdriver. I've been guilty of grabbing a hold of the flats with a pair of vice grips for some extra torque.
More THANKS to Toyrebel, jscott0363, buckethead, Broochman & fhrjr2 for your <love it>s and especially informative comments!! :-) :-) :-) Likewise fhr, this one does really now live closer to my toolbox/bag than 'on display' anywhere as I *do* occasionally work on stuff built with big-a** old slotted screws, which it is absolutely perfect for. [with or without the visegrips or a 3/8" wrench for more torque, buckethead] It is also particularly handy every once in awhile because of its relatively short length vs. big blade...it gets into 'small places with big screws' nicely... ;-) :-) :-)
Thanks to purvis too, who snuck in there while I was typing just now... :-)