How old is this Starrett combination set?

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How old is this Starrett combination set?

This topic has 11 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 12 December 2021 at 21:17 by HOWARDT.

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12 December 2021 at 16:23 #20531
lfoggy
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@lfoggy
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12 December 2021 at 16:23 #575129
lfoggy
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@lfoggy
I recently aquired this Starrett combination set and I am wondering how old it is. It is different in design to the currently available combination set and somehow seems to be quite vintage. The angle gauge part is stamped 'Starrett Athol Mass U.S.A. No 12' and the the number 22 is on the reverse. The ruler is marked No 4 and 'The L.S.S. Co Athol Mass U.S.A.' with the Starrett logo. There are no markings on the other two parts of the set. It is painted in gloss black as opposed to the crinkle black finish on the modern tools.

Is it possible to guestimate the age of this tool?

It is very nicely made and in great condition so I will be using it in the workshop. My question is really just to satisfy my curiosity.
12 December 2021 at 16:32 #575131
ega
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@ega
The Starrett 1980 Anniversary catalogue lists both wrinkled and smooth finished items. The various parts were available separately.
12 December 2021 at 16:39 #575136
mike T
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@miket56243
I have exactly the same smooth painted Starret combination set (same markings) left to me by my late father.

I remember seeing the combination set as far back as the early 1950's but suspect it is older than that, probably a lease/.lend item from WW2 .

It's still in regular use, I have not found a better combination set
12 December 2021 at 16:59 #575137
Clive Foster
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@clivefoster55965
Looks very similar to mine.

If it was sold as a cased set and you have the original case that might be helpful for dating. Starrett never provided useful date of manufacture labels on their tools. They seem to have been putting naked, uncased, things in the same style of red cardboard box with easi-peel labels for longer than I've been alive.

Mine was said to be 1950's vintage. The case is black dimpled / scaled leatherette covered wood with the top and bottom tapered slightly where they meet the sides. Unhanded slide tiype catches.

Over the years Starrett have used a variety of box styles. I believe that the combination square cases generally followed the current house style for sets of equipment and large micrometers or verniers.

Prewar tended to be boxwood or similar with either slide out tops or hinged opening ones.

There was a post war (I think) period when nicely polished hardwood cases with matched cut-outs for the components in the lower half were the norm. Later came nice red leatherette coverd hinged cases with spring closure and chrome embellishments around the edges of base and lid. Foam inserts with recesses for the various parts. Unfortunately the foam disintegrates after 20 – 30 years.

I think matt black paint came in during the early 2000 s.

Clive
12 December 2021 at 17:28 #575138
SillyOldDuffer
Moderator
@sillyoldduffer
They've been about a long time! I have a 50th Anniversary Starrett Catalogue №25, printed in the USA in 1930, but distributed by L.S.Starrett Co. (Great Britain) Ltd of 35-36-37 Upper Thames Street, London, EC4.

The items pictured by ifoggy are all available separately in the Catalogue with English, Metric or Mixed blades 9" 12" 18" or 24" long. Or they could be bought as a set. ifoggy probably has Combination Set №9

The set wasn't cheap, but tax free in 1930 I think:
9" – 1/5/0 (£86 in 2021 money)
12" – 1/7/6 (£93)
18" – 1/11/3 (£107)
24" – 1/15/0 (£120)

Looking it up here, only the 12" / 300mm is still listed by Starrett. Yours for £134.71 + VAT

Alternatively inexpensive versions on the web, £7 from Silverline or £18.58 Faithfull (p&p included)

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 12/12/2021 17:31:19
12 December 2021 at 18:31 #575143
Clive Brown 1
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@clivebrown1
Here's mine.It was given to me about 65 years ago by a great uncle who had been a toolmaker at Austin.( He could talk about someone by the name of Herbert who used to wander about the works! ).

The protractor is neatly stamped "Pat. Aug. 7 1883".

The box is nicely made from mahogany, the sliding lid is about 5mm thick max. no plywood.

I also have some other hand tools that he gave me, dividers, calipers etc. some of which are hand-made, as you did in those days.
12 December 2021 at 18:50 #575146
Tony Pratt 1
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@tonypratt1
Takes me back to the mid 70's, I lusted after one of these but the Toolroom 'tool club' never seemed to be able to get hold of them so I ended up with a Mitutoyo which did me for 49 years.

Tony
12 December 2021 at 20:10 #575163
lfoggy
Participant
@lfoggy
Thanks for the helpful comments and pics.

The set did come in a lovely solid harwood box with dovetail joints and a hinged lid with cutouts for the parts, but I am pretty sure this is not a Starrett item. Even for an old Starrett tool, this case would be excessive. I suspect a previous owner was a woodworker and made this himself.

Guess I will just have to be satified with the fact it's 'vintage' of uncertain age….
12 December 2021 at 20:19 #575164
Tim Hammond
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@timhammond72264
A couple of years ago I bought a second-hand Starrett 6 inch combination set from a vendor on eBay which was described as "vintage" and "VGC". Well, it was VGC, I was very pleased with it, and it's in daily use in my workshop. It didn't come in a box, there's no protractor gauge (I don't think they ever offered this for a 6-inch set), the stock and centre gauge are painted in gloss black, ,there are no markings on either of them and the rule is marked "THE L.S.S. CO. ATHOL MASS U.S.A. HARDENED No 4", so evidently it's not just the 12-inch rule that's marked "No 4". I have no idea of its date of manufacture, but it's a lovely thing to own and use. Pity, though it's marked in inches and not millimetres.

Incidentally Clive, your great-uncle's remarks about talking to someone named Herbert who used to wander around the Austin factory regularly confirms the veracity of a remark made to me over 60 years ago by my next door neighbour who worked at Longbridge for many years, when he said he regularly used to meet Herbert Austin as he walked around his factory.
12 December 2021 at 20:53 #575174
Nicholas Farr
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@nicholasfarr14254
Hi Ifoggy, can't help you with the age, but the No. 4 on the blade, may be identified from the scans below.

Sorry that the clarity of the second scan is not very clear, but it's not any better in the book.

Regards Nick.
12 December 2021 at 21:17 #575184
HOWARDT
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@howardt
Mine I think is post WWII. I will look at it and see what marks are on it.
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