WESTERN AUTO SET MYSTERY

[dimwittedmoose51]

Found what  I thought to be a really vintage Western Auto tool set overthe weekend.  The rat and breaker have the line "western" on them as  do the sockets.  The turquoise metal case is really interesting as well.  The paper insert says it sold for $21.95.

According to AA, the company split into an Eastern and western company way back when and I was wondering if these tools were that old(doubtful).  The handles scream Duro/Indestro with the handle style as they look a lot like some Wizard handles I've given to Oily.  Guess I'm just rying to figure out what time frame these were sold.   I may go back to the house and see if the 1/4" driver bits were somewhere else in the basement. They had this set spread all over the place.  Had I not opened up the metal box and seen the Western Auto placard inside, I wouldn't have been so diligent in hunting down all the pieces.  I believe the 1/2"socket set is complete.  Just need to find that spinner and the 1/4'ers.......M

TIA

DM&FS

[dimwittedmoose51]

gonna try to get the pictures up again.....

DM&FS

[keykeeper]

The handles look correct when compared to the picture inside the lid. They are definitely of Indestro/Duro manufacture. The Wards Master Quality set I have built (save for two sockets) look identical, and that set was made by them according to all I have found in my research. I also have an Indestro ratchet with the same handle style.

Good score, now, find the rest!!

[john k]

I have a 1921 Western Auto catalog, stating they were based in Denver Colo.   Nothing about eastern or western.   I am guessing from the price that would date it to the late 60 to early 70s.   Sort of remember those boxes when they opened the store here in 1966.  I think you did well.

[dimwittedmoose51]

They sold me a lot of stuff that included SK sockets V-series sockets all the WA stuff for $20.  Going back soon....

DM&FS

[CRTDI]

That's a nice looking set. I hope you're able to find the remaining pieces.

[HeelSpur]

Looks like one socket is missing, only counted 11, says there are 12.
nice find.

[dimwittedmoose51]

Heel Spur gets the eagle eye dfor the day.  The 13/16" is missing, and it may have never been there.  I may sniff around if the guy will ever call me back.  That black plastic tray may be gone too, I don't remember seeing anything like it in their basement.

DM&FS

[scottg]

That is really sweet!
 We have all seen those ratchets, but I never saw one marked this way.

 I had an uncle who owned a Western Auto store for a while. You would think he'd have saved me some, but noooooooooo..........
  yours Scott

[johnsironsanctuary]

Moose, can you give us a profile shot of the sockets? Maybe one of us has it in a misc bin.

[dimwittedmoose51]

Yes, here's the 3/4"  Sure looks like Duro to me!!!!