Military Hand Tools

[David Dunlop]

Two of the tools supplied for the Wireless Set No. 52 is a pair of slotted screwdrivers, (See attached photo). The background scale is 1-inch squares and the illustrations are typically very accurate.

For these two, the name 'New Perfect' shows up a lot describing a style of handle that is wooden, and a smooth, teardrop shape, not this fluted style, so I am assuming in this instance, the name is quite likely the name of the manufacturer, possibly Canadian, USA or England in the 1930's or 1940's.

I was showing these illustrations to a friend today and right off the top, he noticed a small rectangular protrusion on the lower edge of the metal collar at the base of the handle on the shorter screwdriver, and he asked if this was by chance a ratchet style screwdriver. The type with the click set "IN, NEUTRAL, OUT' switch typically in this location.

I had not noticed this detail before and it peaked my curiosity.

Were these switch controlled ratchet screwdrivers in use as military hand tools during World War Two?


David