Craftsman Date Code Chart

Craftsman Date Code Chart(For All Code, A to Z)

How can you tell who made your Craftsman wrench, ratchet, or socket, and when it was made?

That’s where the Craftsman date code (or manufacturer code) comes in. These codes are small letters or symbols stamped on the tool, usually next to the Craftsman logo. Each code corresponds to a specific manufacturer and production era.

Craftsman Date Code Chart

Code / MarkingManufacturerApprox. Years Used
A-circleEmpire1935–1973
A.0.J.P. Danielson1930s–1960s
AFBillings & Spencer1934–late 1930s
AZ-circleJ.H. Williams & Co1955–1967
B-circleWilde1949–1958
BCUnknown U.S. manufacturerUnknown
BENew Britain or Hinsdale1931–1947
BFDaido or KTC (Japanese)1969–1987
BMS-K1939–1951
BTVlchek / New Britain1936–1938
CCrescent (Cooper Industries) / Stanley (Taiwan)1964–1973 (U.S.), Unknown (Canada)
C-series (C, Cx)New Britain / Hinsdale / FultonEarly 1930s–mid 1930s
C-CircleChampion DeArment (Channellock)1936–1983
C8J.P. Danielson1930–1936
CF or C-FHerbrand1930–1939
CGUnknown U.S. manufacturer2001–2005
CIFulton (probable)1930–1945
CKUnknown U.S. manufacturer1939–1943
Craftsman VanadiumUnknown U.S. manufacturer1931–1941
DKington (Chinese)1992–2008
DAADanaher (Chinese)2011–?
D.I.Duro/Indestro1949–1969
DJMitutoyo (Japan)1968 (possibly earlier/later)
DMUnknown U.S. manufacturer1970s (probable)
E or EEStanley Works (Taiwan)1982–1991
EEE / EEC / EE7Stanley Works (Taiwan)1988–2009
FDanaher / K-D Division1970s–2008
F-circleMiller Falls / KD1949–1964
GEasco / Danaher1979–2011
G1Danaher2000–2004
G2Danaher2004–2008
G2DDanaher2008–2011
GDDanaher2008–2009
G-circleLectrolite (probable)Late 1940s–early 1960s
GKDanaher / Kingsley Tools1999–2008
GK-ADanaher / Kingsley Tools1999–2003
GK-FDanaher / Kingsley Tools2007–2008
GK-GDanaher / Kingsley Tools2007–2008
GK-XDanaher / Kingsley ToolsUnknown–2008
HHolo-Krome / Danaher1994–2008
H-circleNew Britain / Hinsdale1931–1947
HZDanaher / Holo-KromeUnknown–2008
HZ ODanaher / Holo-Krome2008–2009
HZ OODanaher / Holo-Krome2008–2009
I-circleParker Manufacturing1962–1986
JWJ.H. Williams & Co1968–1972
K-circleS-K1935–1951 (possibly later)
K (plain)S-K / Facom1985–2004
K1WDanaher2007–?
K3VDanaherUnknown–2008
K3XDanaher2007–2008
K0ZDanaher2010–2011
K2ZDanaherUnknown–?
K6ZDanaher2010–2011
K7ZDanaher2010–?
K4WDanaher2007–?
K9WDanaher2008–2009
KAADanaher2011–?
KRDanaher2005–2008
KUDanaher1992–2005
KVDanaherUnknown–2008
KWDanaher2002–2008 (possibly earlier)
KXDanaher2002–2008 (possibly earlier)
KYDanaher2009–2011
KZDanaher2010–2011
L1XDanaher2008–?
LCJ.P. Danielson (via Lectrolite)Late 1940s–1960s
L SISimonds International2008–2011
LZDanaher (Taiwan)2010–?
M6WDanaher2007–2008
M6YDanaher2009
M7YDanaherUnknown–?
MGMG Spa (Italy)1970–1973
NPratt Read2007–2009
N-squareUnknown U.S. manufacturerUnknown
OAUnknown U.S. manufacturerUnknown
PWilde2008–2011 (possibly earlier)
P-circleWilde1945–1979
QPratt Read2002–2006
RPratt Read2002–2006
PRPratt Read2002–2009
Q PRPratt ReadUnknown–?
S PRPratt Read2007–2008
T PRPratt Read2007–2008
U PR1-3Pratt Read2008
V PRPratt Read2007–2008
W PRPratt Read2007–2009
X PRPratt Read2009
S-circleKastar1960–2008 (possibly earlier)
STStanley Works (Taiwan, probable)2007–2009
T1VDanaher2006–2007
T2WDanaher2008
T3WDanaher2008
T3YDanaher2004
T4ZDanaher2010–2011
T5VDanaher2008
T5WDanaher2008
T1XDanaherUnknown–2007
T2XDanaherUnknown–2007
T5XDanaher2008
T-hex (T in hex outline)Milbar2010–2011
U-circlePlomb / Penens1944–1948
VMoore Drop Forge / Easco1946–1991
V-circleUnknown U.S. manufacturerUnknown–1985
VEDanaherUnknown–?
VFDanaherEarly 1990s
VGDanaher1994–1995
VHDanaher1994–1997
VJDanaher1994–2008
VKDanaher1996–?
VLDanaher1995
VMDanaher1998–?
VNDanaher1999–2001
VPDanaher2000–?
VQDanaher2001–2004
VRDanaher2002–?
VSDanaher1995–2003
VTDanaher2002–2006
VUDanaher2005
VVEasco / Danaher1974–2011
VVHDanaher1997–?
VVLDanaher2000–?
VVNDanaher2005
VVSDanaher2003
VVTDanaher2004–2005
VVVDanaher2008
VVWDanaher2008
VVXDanaher2002–2008 (possibly earlier)
VVYDanaher2009
VVZDanaher2010–2011
V^(2nd V inverted) / ^V(1st V inverted)Danaher (Armstrong Division)1992–2012
VWDanaher2002–2009
WS-K Hand Tools (post-Facom)2005–2008
W-CircleUnknown U.S. manufacturer1950s (probable)
WFWestern Forge1965–2011
WF llWestern Forge1969–?
WF DWestern ForgeUnknown–?
WF JWestern Forge1991–?
WF KWestern ForgeUnknown–?
WF LWestern ForgeUnknown–2009
WF RWestern ForgeUnknown–?
WF UWestern Forge2008
WF VWestern Forge2008–2011
WF WWestern Forge2002–2009
WF XWestern Forge2008–2009
WF YWestern Forge2009–2011
WF ZWestern Forge2010–2011
A WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
B WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
C WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
D WFWestern Forge1993–2000
E WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
F WFWestern Forge2003
G WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
H WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
J WFWestern Forge1995
K WFWestern Forge1995
L WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
M WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
N WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
O WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
P WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
Q WFWestern Forge1990–1995
R WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
S WFWestern ForgeUnknown–2009
T WFWestern Forge2002–2009
U WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
V WFWestern Forge2002–2009
W WFWestern Forge2002–2009
X WFWestern Forge1965–2009
Y WFWestern Forge2009–2011
Z WFWestern Forge2010–2011
+ WFWestern Forge1965–?
*** WF**Western Forge1965–?
> WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
**WF**
∆ WFWestern Forge1966–?
□ WFWestern Forge1965–?
7 WFWestern ForgeUnknown–?
XS-K Hand Tools (post-Facom) / Mayhew2008–2011
YDanaher (China)2009–2010
Y-circleRidge Tool (probable)Unknown
ZMayhew1957–2011
Z-circleMayhew1957–1969
3Kastar1991
4Kastar1992
7Easco1987–1991
[Kastar2002–2009 (possibly earlier)
Hex-LineKastar2009–?
312.1J.P. Danielson1940–1941
Bet’R-GripJ.P. Danielson1930s

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How to Read the Code on Your Tool

If you own Craftsman tools and want to learn more about them, here’s how to interpret their codes:

1. Find the Code

Look closely at your tool. The code may appear near the handle, drive end, or under the Craftsman logo. It might be a simple letter (like “V” or “S”) or a symbol inside a circle.

2. Match It to the Chart

Compare your code with the table above to identify its likely manufacturer and production era.

For example:

  • A wrench stamped =V= likely dates to the mid-20th century when Moore Drop Forge made Craftsman hand tools.
  • A socket with G2 was likely made in the 1990s by Danaher.

3. Estimate the Tool’s Age

Once you know the manufacturer, you can narrow down when the tool was made. For instance:

  • Tools marked BE or AF are from the 1930s–1940s.
  • Tools marked S (in circle) are usually from 1960 onward.
  • F and G-series codes are from the later Danaher years (1990s–2000s).

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Modern Date Codes on Power Tools

While hand tools use letter codes, modern Craftsman power tools and batteries often include a numeric date code. This is typically a six-digit code printed on the label or engraved in the housing.

The first two digits often represent the year, and the next two represent the month of manufacture. For example, a code like 2105 could indicate May 2021.

Tips for Collectors and Enthusiasts

  • Check condition and markings carefully. Older stamped tools (especially “=V=” or “BE” markings) are highly collectible.
  • Cross-reference features. Patents, handle design, or logo style can help confirm a tool’s era.
  • Don’t rely solely on one mark. Some codes were reused or overlapped between factories, especially during ownership changes like the Easco or Danaher periods.
  • Keep records. Documenting your tools and their codes can add value if you ever sell or display your collection.

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Final words

The Craftsman date code chart provides an excellent starting point for identifying the age and origin of your tools. Whether you’re restoring vintage wrenches or verifying the history of a socket set, these small letters and symbols hold the key to Craftsman’s rich manufacturing legacy.

By matching your tool’s markings with the chart, you can trace its lineage, from the early days of New Britain and Moore Drop Forge to the modern Danaher era. Each stamp tells a story, connecting your toolbox to nearly a century of American craftsmanship.

George Bill
George Bill

George Bill is a Mechanical Engineer by Profession and an avid gardener and has been mowing his lawn for over 20 years. He has used a variety of different mowers during this time.
George is an expert at maintaining his mowers and over the years, he has learned many tricks and techniques for getting the best results from his mowers and is always happy to share his knowledge on this site.

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