Hello everyone.
I made this post on my Instagram account about an original Weltrecord screwdriver. I have some questions about its production year. I'm posting those questions in the comments of my Instagram post, since I can't write much in the post itself.
So you don't have to go off on a tangent to my Instagram account, I'm transcribing what I posted in the comments, with the following clarification: you're going to find almost verbatim words copied and "stolen" (so to speak) by me shamelessly from the MetMo website. OF COURSE, the credit for that information—copied by me in this text—doesn't belong to me, but rather to the wonderful MetMo team (sorry... I can't resist the praise, since I LOVE what they do and the KIND TREATMENT they have with all of us who love the tools and what MetMo does).
I'm also going to upload the photos so you can see the Weltrecord screwdriver purchased on eBay from a seller in the Republic of Serbia.
That said, I'm transcribing the text. Please excuse the "strange" way of writing in English, as it's not my native language (I write and speak Spanish, although I've studied English for a long time). The text was translated using Google Translate. Greetings to everyone, and I hope you can help me with my little "enigma."
"This screwdriver was manufactured by Conrad Baumann in the late 19th century. Baumann ran a company called Conrad Baumann Werkzeugfabrik, and his screwdrivers were sold under the Baumann-Weltrecord brand.
Weltrecord screwdrivers, which had the name and the letters DRGM (Deutsches Reichs-Gebrauchs-Muster, or "Imperial German Utility Model") stamped on their handles, were manufactured between 1891 and 1945. This designation was introduced in Germany that year, similar to how design trademarks or design rights (such as TM or C) are used today. Furthermore, this indicated that the product was genuinely German. [This information and the following information were copied by me—almost verbatim—from the MetMo website, so the text is almost a blatant "theft" on my part.]
The versions of the Weltrecord screwdriver that bear the German patent number filed with the United States Patent Office in 1950 date from after that date. In short: if the Weltrecord brand name is followed by "DRGM," the screwdriver was manufactured between 1891 and 1945; if it is followed by "Patent 800293," it was manufactured after 1950.
So, my doubt regarding this "Weltrecord - Patent 800293" screwdriver I have arises because it doesn't have interchangeable tips like the familiar Weltrecord screwdrivers. Instead, as can be seen in the photos, the tip is "fixed" to the screwdriver by a bolt. It's noteworthy, as can be seen in three other photos, that the tip has a stamped mark on it, where you can easily make out these two words: "Weltrecord Baumann." I'm almost 99% certain that it's an ORIGINAL Weltrecord screwdriver. Not only because the brand name is visible on the handle, but also because the flat tip ALSO has the brand name stamped on it.
Another question I have: what stamping did the Weltrecord screwdrivers manufactured between 1945 and 1950 have? Did Baumann continue manufacturing screwdrivers during that time, or did they resume production in 1950 (coinciding with the filing of the U.S. patent)?
As you can see in the photos, another VERY NOTORIOUS difference with the known Weltrecord screwdrivers is that the metal handle used to give it greater strength is not curved, as in all known versions, but is straight. Added to this is the fact that the metal handle is secured with rivets, NOT screws (as in almost all versions of this screwdriver).
For all these reasons, if anyone knows how to reliably identify the construction date of this Weltrecord screwdriver, please comment below.
I purchased this screwdriver on eBay from a seller in the Republic of Serbia, Darko, who has been wonderful (considering my anxiety about the arrival of this wonderful tool).
I didn't do much to the screwdriver. I wanted to preserve as much of its original appearance as possible, because it was clearly in EXCELLENT condition (as seen in the second photo). I simply removed some rust from the metal parts; then I wiped the metal parts with a Scotch-Brite abrasive pad; I sanded the wooden handle; and I applied linseed oil and lubricated the moving parts.
Best regards."
