What is this tool?

[RBruce]

I bought this years ago, but cannot remember what it is. It is 3.5" long closed and dark green. Any ideas? --TIA

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

A short, fat, take-down screwdriver. The blade looks unsuitable for machine screws of such a size, and was probably intended for wood screws or slotted fasteners that were twisted to unlock. The sort of thing that was missing at Isandlwana, where, according to the story (legend?) the British troops had no screwdrivers and could not open the ammunition boxes, with fatal results. The 1868 pattern boxes (LOC 1616) had screwed lids and the screws had a 1/2" slot.

[RBruce]

Thanks Patrick, I figured it was some sort of take down tool, but for what rifle? It has several markings including a serial number, but I couldn't find anything like it after a couple of hours searching the Internet.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Thanks Patrick, I figured it was some sort of take down tool, but for what rifle? It has several markings including a serial number, but I couldn't find anything like it after a couple of hours searching the Internet.

Not for the rifle (which was the Martini-Henry) but for the ammo boxes.

---------- Post added at 01:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 AM ----------

Not for the rifle (which was the Martini-Henry) but for the ammo boxes.

The screwdriver story is nowadays reckoned to be legend. But please note the following interesting time sequence:

1879, 22nd January - Battle of Isandlwana

1880, 4th May - LOC 3752
"Box, wood, Ammunition...
... A pattern of this box has been sealed ...

... It differs from the previous patterns in the mode of fastening of the lid. the alteration having been made with the object of preventing delay and difficulty in opening the box in the field, when a screwdriver may not be at hand ..."

Just coincidence? Or perhaps someone had realized that it was just terribly inconvenient to have to ask the enemy to wait a bit while you sent a squaddie back to base to get a screwdriver so that you could open the ammo boxes and get on with the battle in an orderly fashion. And dash it all chaps, some enemies wouldn't wait. That's not cricket!

[RBruce]

So, it is a British manufactured tool? Circa late 1800s?

[villiers]

Does the screw driver fit into the slot in the lid? German Lugers had the same spiked toothpick attached to the lid of a grease cylinder that, in turn was part of the cleaning rod.

[Patrick Chadwick]

So, it is a British manufactured tool? Circa late 1800s?

No, I didn't claim that. I just pointed out that it was that kind of thing. Not a normal woodworking shop tool - for that, it is too flimsy, and would not need to be in take-down form. A tool for occasional use in the field - that makes the takedown form sensible, for ease of carrying.

The double-ended screwdriver blade should be a jam fit in the slotted end. But I cannot tell if the cloth and the object that looks similar to the "spoon" in an Enfield oil-bottle are part of the original kit, or were stuffed in there because it was convenient.

Finally, in the redcoat days of the Zulu War, I doubt that anybody was painting tools in green. That was a bit of fancy on my part to illustrate the purpose for which such a tool would have been not only useful, but maybe vital!

There does, however, appear to be a mark on the lid. Maybe a makers mark? If that could be shown more clearly it could help to at least narrow down the list of possible countries of origin.

BTW, how is the lid fixed? Is it just pushed in (held by friction) or is there some kind of latch (which would make sense on a field tool)?

Finally, wooden ammo boxes were used right through the 20th century, which is a much more plausible period for a military green finish. On the basis of statistical probability, this is more likely to be a piece of US equipment than something British.

[breakeyp]

The tool kit appears to be French issue for revolver or rifle. I suspect the revolver but I would have to dig out the French reference books.

[RBruce]

Upon closer inspection, I found the following"
1. The paint color actually is dark gray with maybe a hint of brown.
2. The double ended screw driver head does fit quite nicely in the body of the tool.
3. The number on the side appears to be G 33394
4. On one end the symbols are small "o" and a "Y".
5. The other end has symbols "M" with slight up curls on the side legs of the M, and a serifed "K".

I do remember thinking that I had bought it to go with a MAS 36 that I used to own.

[Patrick Chadwick]

The tool kit appears to be French issue for revolver or rifle. I suspect the revolver but I would have to dig out the French reference books.

Please get digging! It's not the screwdriver for the MAS36 (with a double-prong tip) or for the M1892 revolver (multiple tool blades). But the designation form letter+5-figures could indeed be French.

---------- Post added at 11:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 PM ----------

It's the take-down screwdriver for the Gras rifle:

http://www.naturabuy.fr/Tournevis-Re...m-1622430.html