This collection was brought to us by Peggy Mansoff of Brandon, MB. These tools belonged to her husband, the late William Frederick Mansoff who was an automotive mechanic and welder in Brandon with a shop on Third Street. The E. O. Richter drafting set from 1939 was picked up by Mr. Mansoff in Germany during his service with the Loyal Edmonton Artillery during World War II. Emil Oskar Richter (1814-1907) founded the firm in Chemnitz, Saxony after training as a clockmaker. In 1892, he patented his “flat system”, copied by many others after his patent ranout in 1905. The firm became VED Kombinat (stated owned) until 1945. This is a very intricate and well-kept drafting kit. 
The next tool kit is a micrometer set from Central Tools Co. dating back to 1912. The Central Tool Company (variously of Providence, Auburn/Cranston, RI) has a long history, beginning in 1908, trying to find niches in the highly competitive precision tools business. The company has since been in the same location since 1912 with early micrometers marked “Auburn” and later ones marked “Cranston.” The company, now named Central Tools is still operating and is still a family-owned/run business after over a century. This micrometer is marked with “Cranston” and has an interchangeable anvil set, with a range of 0-4”.
The last set is a Tap and Die set for Ford automobiles. It was used by William F. Mansoff at his automobile shop. The set was made by the Butterfield Co. & Inc. in Rock Island, Quebec. Butterfield Co & Inc. operated from 1879 to 1920 and opened an additional factory in Derby Line, Vermont in 1891. This set would be used to make nuts and bolts for Ford vehicles.
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