M1903 Combo Tool

[Donzi]

Hi guys;
Looking f/info re the 2-legged screwdriver tool w/punch used w/the M1903 rifle & probably others, earlier & later. Seems my web search skills are lacking, as I can't find any info re different types. I have one, blued, w/only "US" marking, and another, later(?), parkerized version w/ "U.S." over "B147064" stamped on the leg w/the punch pin, & "N.S.R." over "B147065" on the other leg. Where can I find info/pix on these tools? Thanks.
Donzi

Information

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[Tom Trevor]

look in Poyer on pages 297 and 298

[Donzi]

Thanks Tom, but I don't have access to the Poyer book. I was kinda looking for an on-line source, maybe? Anyone know of one? TIA, folks.
Donzi

[Bill Ricca]

The blued one is early manufacture. NSR is a WWII contract produced by National Slug Rejectors, Inc, St, Louis, Mo.

[Bill Ricca]

Answer about National Slug Rejector:

Got an email asking about the contractor. National Slug Rejector was a company that made mechanical vending machine internals. Youngsters probably do not remember Mechanical Vending Machines, as everything today is based upon computer chips and electricity.

The problem with an old time vending machine is individuals would attempt to use phony coins or slugs. National Slug Rejector had mechanical systems that were sold to vending machine manufacturers that would reject slugs, hardware washers, and non-coin circular stampings. There were a variety of methods, like checking for holes, magnetic attaction of the insert, and many other ways beyond my knowledge.

This contract for Rifle Screwdrivers ran from Oct 43 thru April 44.

[Donzi]

Thanks much f/the info, Bill. Just my luck that I broke the blade on my early example. Speaking of slug rejectors, back in the early 60s (in my wild, larcenous youth), I unloaded a couple of hundred Japanese 10 yen coins, worth about 3.5 cents each back then, into the various coin-operated machines at Disneyland & turned a fairly handsome profit in one night. Not one was caught by a "slug rejector". Seems they were almost the exact same size/weight as the US quarter. Today, w/the yen @ under 100 to the US $, I'd be far ahead of the game just converting them, but again-just my luck.
Donzi

[Bill Ricca]

I had a similiar experience. In 1962 I worked as a supply clerk for a clothing manufacturer. One day I put a quarter into the machine and after getting my candy bar (10 cents) and change(15 cents) I pulled the "Return Coin" lever. My quarter was returned.

The next day I brought another quarter and purchased about 10-15 packs of life savers, because they were only a nickle, and got back my original quarter each time, along with 20 cents in change, each time. In those days I felt like a millionaire because a had a couple of dollars in my pocket.

My boss, who did not have a clue as to what I was doing, gave me a stern warning that too much sugar is not good for me.

[Donzi]

Yeah Bill, those WERE the days!! I'd amassed my stash of yen coins while living in Tokyo as a dependant of my AF father, who was the head of the AF OSI district f/the Tokyo area. Very few of my youthful indiscretions escaped his baleful oversight, but somehow I managed to fill my pockets w/those coins which, thru common-teen knowledge, were known to be money-makers when used stateside. Even today, almost 50 years later, I can clearly recall those golden days of my "mis-spent" youth. I wouldn't trade those times f/a ton of gold. Here's to the Narimasu Dragons.
Donzi