Description: Duro Metal Products was founded in 1916 by Norris F. McNaught and William H. Odlum and the company’s actual business was as ambiguous as “Metal Products.” One of Duro's earliest products in the early 1900s was the Lilly Hoist Controller, a mechanical and electrical controller for use on safety hoists in mines. How, exactly, Duro became a manufacturer of hand tools is both convoluted and incomplete unless one chooses to read every word of their story at “Alloy Artifacts” (http://alloy-artifacts.org/duro-indestro.html#history). One of the frustrating things about using old tool maker catalogs is that images are often not good enough to allow proper comparison with the tool in our hand and many catalogs simply do not exist. Such is true when seeking to determine when this Socket was produced. Alloy Artifacts syas that Duro’s 44xx Line of 3/8 Inch Drive Sockets first appeared in its 1938 Catalog, “Duro-Chrome Tools of Progress: Catalog 38M by Duro Metal Products Co.” (https://archive.org/details/duro-metal-products-co-catalog-38-m/page/n17/mode/2up?view=theater), where it was described as being made from "Standard quality of Chrome Vanadium Steel selected for maximum tensile strength" and being a “thin wall, light weight Socket". Similar images and descriptions appear in 1939 and 1940. Visit “Archive.org” to confirm this if you desire. We could not find subsequent catalogs until 1951 where 4422 does not appear to be identical to how it was pictured previously. Our conclusion, therefore, is production from 1938 until some time in the 1940s. The stamped-in “V” following the fractional size might be a clue to production date, but we were unable to find any information relevant to its meaning. The Socket is in fully-functional condition. It shows evidence of use but not of misuse. The Sockets received a “Triple plated duplex finish”. We aren’t knowledgeable enough to know what that means. We know that cadmium was used commencing in the 1930s and 1940s and should not be polished so as to create fine dust which is carcinogen when inhaled. Thus, any polishing to make the Socket look pretty should be done cautiously just in case. Polished or not, the Socket could be put to work or added to a Show-and-Tell Collection. We will ship the Tool by USPS Ground Advantage on the next regular business day following payment.
Price: 20 USD
Location: Gainesville, Florida
End Time: 2024-09-20T01:06:33.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Brand: Duro Metal Products
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
