Have you ever wondered how old those screwdrivers in your grandpa’s toolbox are? Would you be surprised if he tells you they’re over 80 years old or if I tell you that these old drivers are still worth up to $80? Well, that’s true! And today, we’re going to learn all about them!
From their age to their construction materials and shapes, every factor helps you identify a vintage model and estimate its price correctly. So, let’s get into this journey and find out all about those old and sketchy vintage screwdrivers!
Takeaways
- The oldest screwdrivers can be spotted with their wooden handles and iron shafts with flat tips. You can look for exotic wood handles like Rosewood or Ebony to hike the price.
- Large-size, bigger drivers with markings will fetch you good returns.
- Look for a dark patina, scuffs, and scratches on the wooden handle to ensure an old make. Tarnation and discoloration of the shafts are also common.
- Marked vintage screwdrivers are quite valuable. Clean the rusty shanks and collars of old tools to spot the markings.
What Makes a Vintage Screwdriver Unique?
Unlike a modern screwdriver, which has polished handles and clean, even shafts, vintage drivers have some imperfections. For instance, you can find an uneven surface on the shaft, scuffs on the handles, and even minor cracks.
But these features, combined with some more interesting features given below, make an old driver special!
- Chipped or scuffed wooden handles
- Flat blade (either fully flat along the shaft or flat head with round/square shanks)
- Hand-forged metal construction for the shank and blade
- Rusty brass or bronze ferrules/collars
- Longer and bigger designs for armor construction
- A patina on the driver’s surface
A Glance at Antique Screwdrivers’ History and Development
Although the origin of a screwdriver traces back to the pre-15th century, it only became popular during the 17th and 18th centuries when slotted screws were introduced. But these drivers had a full flat shaft, which broke easily with heavy pressure or torque.
The following century saw the rise of screwdrivers with wooden handles and round or square-shaped shanks with flat ends. These were sturdy, but the wood on the handles was prone to sogging up and often cracked up open with continuous use.
Due to the Industrial Revolution, screwdrivers were highly in demand. So, the makers then shifted to more reliable materials for handles like plastic, celluloid, and rubber in the coming years.
The 19th and 20th centuries saw the rise of specialized screwdrivers such as Roberston, Hex, Phillips, and Torx. Plus, advanced mechanisms like Ratcheting and Interchangeable Bits also became popular, resulting in the mass production of modern drivers.
6 Different Types of Vintage ScrewDrivers and Their Base Prices
1. Slotted (Flat-Blade) Screwdriver
The earliest known type of screwdriver, a flat-blade screwdriver features a simple flat blade used for slotted screws. You can also find brass ferrules on some models. Usually, these screwdrivers can have 3″ to 12″ long blades.
Look for wooden, pear-shaped handles to verify the old make. These tools can cost you $8 – $20 for common models.
2. Square-Shank Screwdriver
As suggested by the name, these screwdrivers have a square-shaped shank along with a flat blade. You can also find wooden handles on the old models. With added torque and grip, you can price these screwdrivers at around $15 – $60 based on their age and brand.
3. Cabinetmaker’s Screwdriver
These unique tools can be spotted with their unique design that features a flat blade right below the ferrule, followed by a round or square shank with a flat head. In some models, you can see either a fully flat blade or a long round shank with a flat head.
Also, look for an oval or ellipsoid handle with a cross-section for a better value. These tools can be as long as 20 – 30 inches, costing up to $65 – 80. But you can expect common-size models at $10 – $35.
4. Ratcheting Screwdrivers
A ratchet screwdriver features a unique mechanism that allows you to drive the tool in one direction while the handle can move in both directions. You can spot pear-shaped wooden handles on vintage ratchet screwdrivers costing around $15 – $60, depending on brands and sizes.
5. Interchangeable Tip Screwdrivers
If you’re able to detach the shaft of your old screwdriver, you’re likely holding an interchangeable one. These tools come with a removable tip that can fit into a slot on the end of the shaft.
In vintage models, this is done mechanically with the help of screw thread or springs. And if you find an interchangeable driver with a wooden handle, you can price it at around $20 – $50.
6. Perfect Handle Screwdrivers
Known for its perfect, sleek design, a “perfect handle” driver can be spotted by the split wood handle. Like, you’d see the steel blade running along the length and width of the handle, riveted into the wood.
Depending on size and brand, you can price these around $7 – $20 for small drivers and $15 – $40 for bigger models. In fact, a very long, branded perfect handle model can go up to $100.
6 Factors to Identify And Value Vintage Screwdrivers
The average value of vintage screwdrivers ranges from $7 to $50 while the rare, branded ones can fetch up to $100 to $200. Now, we know that age is the most important factor in identifying and appraising old screwdrivers. But other factors like materials and shaft shapes can also tell a lot about the model and its price.
1. Antique Screwdriver’s Age
As we saw, the oldest screwdrivers with hand-forged metal flat blades, shanks, and handles are from the pre-15th century. But these are very rare, and you may find one in a museum. So, you can start your hunt with 18th-century drivers with wooden handles.
Now, the best way to track the age of a tool is by looking at the markings. You can find the company’s name, logo, initials, or model numbers engraved on the collar, the shank, or the handle.
But you may not find any markings in very old models. In that case, use these clues to age your driver:
The 18th Century Screwdrivers
You can identify the drivers from this era with their large and heavy shapes due to their use in armor. Also, look for flat blades and square shanks. You can find these mostly with pear-shaped or oval wooden handles, and price these up to $10 – $30 for common models.
The 19th Century Screwdrivers
These screwdrivers were a bit smaller and thinner as they were used for delicate woodworking. You can also find the initial ratcheting and interchangeable drivers in this era. Also, you can spot the flat-blade and shaft cabinetmaker drivers, costing $15 – $60.
The (20th Century) Screwdrivers
You can spot these screwdrivers with their plastic, celluloid, or rubber handles. Also, models from this period may have cross-shaped, star-shaped, and hex-shaped heads. These models are newer and, hence, won’t cost more than $20.
Below are the age and prices of a few patented screwdriver models:
| Year | Age | Patent Number | Estimated Price |
| 1897 | 120+ years | US593157, (Ratchet Screwdrivers) | $10 – $20 |
| 1930s | 90+years | US1908081 (Phillips Screwdrivers) | $10 – $30 |
If your old screwdriver’s shaft is very rusty, you may not see the markings. So, clean the rust off the shanks and collars to check the brand markings as they hike the price.
2. Handle Materials
Since materials like plastic and rubber weren’t that common in older times, vintage screwdrivers mostly had metal and wood handles. If you’re lucky enough to find one with an Ebony or Rosewood handle, you can get up to $100 for it.
On the other hand, celluloid, plastic, and rubber handles are comparatively newer and, hence, less valuable than wooden ones.
Here’s how the prices change with the old screwdriver’s handle materials:
| Old Screwdriver’s Handle Material | Estimated Price |
| Natural Wood | $5 – $25 |
| Ebony | $15 – $45 |
| Rosewood | $60 – $120 |
| Celluloid | $5 – $15 |
3. Bit/Head Types
Another important factor in identifying a vintage screwdriver is its head or tip. If your driver has a flat tip, it’s easily one of the oldest and, hence, valuable tools. Robertson’s and Gunsmith screwdrivers are also valued for their unique head shapes.
Likewise, Phillips screwdrivers from the late 19th century are also a valuable collectible, costing up to $30 for an antique make. On the contrary, advanced screwdrivers with special Torx heads will fetch you only up to $10 – $20.
| Screwhead Head Type | Features | Estimated Price |
| Slotted/Flat | The oldest type, a flat bit for single-slotted screws | $10 – $50 |
| Square (Robertson’s) | Small square-shaped bit for Robertson’s screws | $5 – $30 |
| Hollow Tip (Gunsmith Turnscrew) | Sharp hollow-ground tips | $10 – $50 (Up to $70 for branded ones) |
| Cross (Phillips) | Cross shaped head for cross-shaped slots on Phillips screws | $10 – $30 |
| Star (Torx) | Star-like six-point head for Toxx screws | $5 – $10 |
4. Size of the Screwdriver
If you want the best price for your vintage screwdriver, analyze its size. The older drivers were longer and bigger and hence valued more. In fact, branded drivers of over 24 inches can fetch you up to $100.
You can find the average price of vintage screwdrivers of various sizes below:
| Screwdriver Size (Height) | Estimated Price for Common Models | Estimated Price for Special/Branded Models |
| 3” – 8” | $5 – $15 | $10 – $30 |
| 9” – 12” | $10 – $20 | $12 – $45 |
| 13” – 15” | $15 – $40 | $30 – $50 |
| 16” – 20” | $15 – $40 | $35 – $50 |
| 21” – 24” | $15 – $45 | $30 – $65 |
| 24” – 29” | $25 – $50 | $35 – $80+ |
5. Brands
Branded Screwdrivers, like any other antique, will fetch you decent returns if they’re in good condition. However, different brands and companies are known for different types of driver features.
For instance, if you want branded flat-head drivers, go for Stanley, but if you want perfect-handle drivers, Irvin would be the best. Similarly, for ratcheting screwdrivers, pick a vintage North Brothers Yankee or Miller Falls one.
Now, if you’re confused about the prices of branded drivers, check out this table below.
| Old Screwdriver Brands | Key Features | Estimated Price (Common Size) |
| Stanley | Wooden and plastic handles, “STANLEY” logo in block letters, often with “Made in USA” | $15 – $50 |
| Craftsman | “CRAFTSMAN” logo, sometimes with a stylized “C” and “S”, makes flat-blade, Phillips, Torx | $10 – $60 |
| Millers Falls | “MILLERS FALLS” logo, sometimes with the model number | $15 – $55 |
| Irvin | “IRVIN” logo on the shank or ferrule, often with model number and region | $10 – $60 |
| North Brothers (Yankee) | “Yankee” and “North Bros.” logo on the collar | $12 – $60 |
6. Screwdriver’s Condition
An old screwdriver will show some clear signs of wear and tear, which will help you ensure whether it’s a vintage model or not. For instance, you may find chipped or cracked wooden handles with scratches. The ferrules may be loose and cracked.
Also, look for discoloration, corrosion, or tarnishing signs on the metal blade. The tip of the blade may also have some scuffs. And if there’s a dark patina on the handle, you can expect good returns.
Look for the screwdriver’s collar or ferrule. If the ferrule is missing, it will devalue your model.
What to do with old screwdrivers?
If your old screwdriver is still functional and has a tight handle to drive the screw, then you can clean it up a bit, identify its type, age, material, and other factors using our guide, and then put it up for a bid.
How to clean old screwdrivers?
You can clean the rust off the old screwdriver shaft by scrubbing it with 320 and 400 fine-grit sandpaper. You can also soak it in vinegar or apply baking soda and water paste on the rusty area for a few hours and then scrub it with a brush. But try not to remove the patina off the handle, as collectors like it!
Vintage screwdrivers are really a great addition to an avid collector’s toolbox. But make sure you don’t get fooled by the seller into buying any random old driver. Identify the model using our guide and then finalize if the price is worth it or not.
And if you’re planning on buying more valuable antiques like old shovels, pliers, and broad axes, let us help you with their identification and valuation!
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