What is this old tool kit for?

[Kev18]

I doubt it's a dentist kit... All the tools have the same handles and I don't think a dentist would have a steel chisel? Right... Maybe a woodworking kit, but there's a hammer and metal chisel.

[C.F.Plinker]

The diagonal cutter and lineman's pliers would be indicative of an electrician. The strap holding the tools in the case seems to be newer than the leather on the outside of the case. It is well sewn in but the stitches do not go through to the outside of the case. And the size of the loops are uneven so they were sized to the tools they are holding.

[jimlj]

I went to a dentist in England in the late 70's that could have had a kit like that. Only went once.

[bedbugbilly]

Interesting kit. The black handled screwdriver just doesn't look like it is the same age as the other tools so probably an orphan add on.

I do leather work and what is shown just doesn't jive - while specific hammers are used - especially in shoe-making - some of the other tools would have minimal use.

A Dentist Kit? I kind of doubt it. And that great looking hammer doesn't really resemble a typical Farrier's hammer.

In earlier days - such as when bicycles became popular - there were tool kits sold to carry with them. I'm not saying this is a bike kit - but that repair kits were sold. The same as for automobiles - not like what is available today with a variety of tools "that might be needed". For the age of this - don't mistake the quality of the tools as being representative that it was for a specific purpose - anyone who collects old tools knows well that sen cheaper grade of tools from the late 1800s to early 1900s were made much better than the Chinese junk that is out there today in repair kits.

Judging from the array of tools in the kit - minus the plastic or rubber handled screwdriver - i would put my money on just a general repair kit - and looking at the "fit" of most of the tools to the lops - I would also guess that it was a kit originally and not a "put together" - but who knows?

Ir certainly is an interesting kit though with interesting contents! If you like old tools - you haver to like this one! Kev18 - you've got a real "keeper" there! Thanks for sharing!

[beemer]

I think, I know that's dangerous but it looks like some one bought a utility kit and added or subtracted to fit his purpose. It looks high quality but some things don't match.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Whatever this kit is used for ,it is not to work leather. The hammer is not a cobbler's hammer. I am posting a picture of one along with a pair of pliers used to pull the leather tight so can be tacked to the shoe when replacing the sole. If it were a cobblers tool kit these pliers would be in it. It looks to me the tools were intended to work wood. Otherwise, what are the chisels for?

[quilbilly]

I am thinking wood working kit for repairing wood doors that got warped or swollen.

[Winger Ed.]

I'm going with it being an electrician's kit from when wiring was added
to a building in the years before it was built in during construction.

Back then, they didn't have 'sheet rock'.
Walls were framed, covered with a wire mesh, and wet plaster paris was troweled up onto and over it.
Or, they were paneled with solid wood boards.

Those tools look like what a electrician would need to go down from the attic,
drop wires down inside the wall, then chisel a hole & cut the wire mesh in the wall to bring them out,
and mount a outlet box or switch.

It doesn't look like it was sold as a kit,
but more nearly put together by someone who did a repetitive job often,
and had it put together as a handy tool pouch just for going & doing one task over and over.

[Shawlerbrook]

Looks like a furniture carvers kit, but that is just a blind guess. The claw hammer looks like something for pounding and pulling nails or tacks. Maybe an upholstery kit.

[Kev18]

Interesting kit. The black handled screwdriver just doesn't look like it is the same age as the other tools so probably an orphan add on.

I do leather work and what is shown just doesn't jive - while specific hammers are used - especially in shoe-making - some of the other tools would have minimal use.

A Dentist Kit? I kind of doubt it. And that great looking hammer doesn't really resemble a typical Farrier's hammer.

In earlier days - such as when bicycles became popular - there were tool kits sold to carry with them. I'm not saying this is a bike kit - but that repair kits were sold. The same as for automobiles - not like what is available today with a variety of tools "that might be needed". For the age of this - don't mistake the quality of the tools as being representative that it was for a specific purpose - anyone who collects old tools knows well that sen cheaper grade of tools from the late 1800s to early 1900s were made much better than the Chinese junk that is out there today in repair kits.

Judging from the array of tools in the kit - minus the plastic or rubber handled screwdriver - i would put my money on just a general repair kit - and looking at the "fit" of most of the tools to the lops - I would also guess that it was a kit originally and not a "put together" - but who knows?

Ir certainly is an interesting kit though with interesting contents! If you like old tools - you haver to like this one! Kev18 - you've got a real "keeper" there! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks, im thinking its just a repair kit like you said.

[Kev18]

I just looked at the small wire cutters and its written Gates on them.

[Bazoo]

I'm going with it being an electrician's kit from when wiring was added
to a building in the years before it was built in during construction.

Back then, they didn't have 'sheet rock'.
Walls were framed, covered with a wire mesh, and wet plaster paris was troweled up onto and over it.
Or, they were paneled with solid wood boards.

Those tools look like what a electrician would need to go down from the attic,
drop wires down inside the wall, then chisel a hole & cut the wire mesh in the wall to bring them out,
and mount a outlet box or switch.

It doesn't look like it was sold as a kit,
but more nearly put together by someone who did a repetitive job often,
and had it put together as a handy tool pouch just for going & doing one task over and over.

I've thought on it a while and I believe you're correct. Those old electrical systems were neat. I think the through stud insulators required about a 1/2-5/8 hole. I don't have one to measure.

[Winger Ed.]

I've thought on it a while and I believe you're correct. Those old electrical systems were neat. I think the through stud insulators required about a 1/2-5/8 hole. I don't have one to measure.

I pondered it awhile too.
When I was stationed up North, I lived in a couple of old houses, and remember my Grandparents old ranch house
where electricity came along after they were built.

It looks like something I'd cobble together if I was wiring houses on a regular basis.
I'd get a old pouch looking thing, have it modified by the saddle or shoe repair shop to hold only what I needed.
Maybe even as partial payment for pulling a few wires in their place.

If that's true--- there was probably a brace & bit hand turned drill close by too that got carried separately.

[Winger Ed.]

I doubt it's a dentist kit... .

I discounted that pretty quick too.

The pliers, hammers and chisels my Dentist uses are much bigger.
And there isn't a hatchet, Bowie knief, beads and bones to rattle, or pry bar in the set.

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm going to go with a personal tool kit that someone made for their own needs. Possibly had the leather case and added the loops for the tools on hand. That just has the look of an individual's winter storm project.

[45workhorse]

That’s what I say. A dentist kit from like the early 1800s or something

Hold still, this won't hurt ME a bit!!!!

[DoubleAdobe]

A put together leather working kit. Some tools too big and some kind of sideways for the job, but that is what it is. Harness, shoes and boots or general leather repair.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

As I said in a previous post, this is not a leather working kit. I have been working with leather for well over 50 years and have accumulated many leather working tools, none of which I see in this kit. I am attaching pictures of tools that are absolutely essential if you want to work leather. I also said previously that I didn't know what the man used this kit for but it did involve wood or there would be no need for chisels.

[BamaNapper]

I'm voting for a generic tool kit also. I have a kit at the house that's a generation newer than this and is shiny stainless. It's got the obligatory screwdriver, cutters, a small hammer, awl, etc. It's in a small zipper case and has straps that hold everything in place. I judge mine to be maybe 60 years old. The kit I have was not assembled for a specific purpose, it's just a handy kit that can be tossed on a closet shelf or thrown under the car seat. My father received it as premium swag from a salesman he bought steel from decades ago. He had a couple other kits that my siblings now have. None of the kits are even similar and all contain generic small tools. I've always just assumed these kits were common, kind of a Swiss Army kit of the last century.

The tool with the screw tip looks like a hand drill but could be an awl. It has the screw tip that can drill through a leather strap, then a flat above it which should have a relatively sharp edge. Once poked through the strap you give it a couple more twists and it cuts a hole in the strap that won't close right up when the tool is pulled out. Maybe it's not just for leather though. A similar tool was used for soft wood, but then would typically have more of a drill appearance instead of the flat above the screw tip. Google up a hand drill or gimlet auger.

[bangerjim]

I have seen a LOT of commerial tool kits in my collecting days and this looks like a leather pouch that someone just put thier favorites in.

No specific purpose. Just a place to store what they wanted.

100 years from now when someone finds my Jensen tool kits I put together for the work we do, they will be at a loss on what they were for! Just a huge collection of tools in neat little straps and holder that Jensen builds for people to "roll their own" tool kits!

Nice little set, but I see no specific purposes.

And it is DEFINITELY NOT a dentist set!

banger