Introduction
The information below is taken from a
Walker-Turner service bulletin that dates from about 1961.
With respect to serial numbers we can divide Walker-Turner's existence into five epochs:
Type 0: No serial numbers. Early machines did not have any serial numbers.
Type 1: The first serial number system began in 1939, although not all machines had them that year. These followed no logical pattern and were more akin to a model number than a unit-specific designation. Some of the numbers indicate the year that the model was introduced (not necessarily built) as the last two digits. See the machine-specific section below for details. Note that although the original document lists serial numbers with dashes, the numbers that were stamped onto the badges often used a space instead.
Early Type 1 tag. 900 series drill press, serial 9DP1040. Contributed by Dan Hoenish.
Typical Type 1 tags. BN905 bandsaw, serial 19-639, contributed by Mike Wiggins. BW740 bandsaw, serial 29-449, contributed by Rich McGowen.In 1948 Walker-Turner was sold to Kearney & Trecker. At some point thereafter the tags were changed to read "Walker-Turner Division of Kearney & Trecker".
Kearney & Trecker era Type 1 tag. TA1180BN tablesaw, serial 161149. Contributed by Mark Ebarc.Type 2: Starting in April of 1950 a new system was introduced. These new serials are formatted YYTSQV where YY is the year of manufacture, T is the type of machine, S is the specific model of machine, Q is the quarter of the year of manufacture, and V notes variation from the standard model. For example, 52DA2A is a standard (52DA2
A) single-spindle (52D
A2A) 15" drill press (52
DA2A) that was built in the 2nd quarter (52DA
2A) of 1952 (
52DA2A). Details about the second letter code ("S" above) is included in the machine type breakdown. Below is a list of the machine type code letters ("T" above) and what they stand for.
| A | Tilting Arbor & Table Saw | | G | Grinder |
| B | Band Saw | | J | Jig Saw |
| C | Sander | | L | Lathes |
| D | 15” Drill Press | | P | Planer (Jointer) |
| E | 20” Drill Press | | R | Radial Saw & Drill |
| | | S | Spindle Shaper |
Typical Type 2 tag. 900 series drill press, serial 50DH2E. Contributed by Joe Wells.Type 3: The next serial number system was introduced in April 1953 and used through September 1956. Each machine was numbered 0000001, 0000002, etc. The type and model cannot be identified by the number alone. Machine tags used during this time included fields for both Model No. and Serial No. Almost all of the models sold during this time were introduced in 1953.
Typical Type 3 tag. 1216-41 drill press, serial 0000381. Contributed by Neil Bellenger.In May of 1956 Kearney & Trecker sold its Walker-Turner Division to Rockwell. At some point thereafter the tags were changed to read "Walker-Turner Division of Rockwell". It is currently unknown if this change occurred before the start of Type 4 serial numbers.
Type 4: The last serial number system began in October of 1956. The machine type is designated by a two-digit prefix, e.g., No. 11-0001 was the first 20-inch drill press as of October 1956. Details on the two-digit prefix, when known, appear in the machine type breakdown.
Typical Type 4 tag. 1100 series drill press, serial 11-3579. Contributed by Charlie Wells.This system continued until Delta/Rockwell's serial number system replaced it. Walker-Turner machines with a Rockwell serial number badge should be dated according to the
Delta Serial Numbers page. Most Rockwell built Walker-Turner machines came from either their Bellefountaine or Tupelo plants.
Example of a dual Walker-Turner / Rockwell badged machine. Note that the fields on the Walker-Turner tag are blank. 31-600 sander, serial CQ-9464 which dates to 1961 per the Delta Serial Numbers page. Contributed by Rich McGowen.Detailed Information by Machine Type
The following subsections provide details of serial numbers for each type of machine made by Walker-Turner. Information that we have for each machine model is divided into the serial number Type that its production occurred within.
15-inch Drill Press
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
900 Series, 1940 through 1947:9DP140,
9DP1040*, 9DP943,
1-1140,
1-944,
1-147* At the time of writing, the only Type 1 drill presses in the Photo Index have serial number 9DP1040. None have been entered for 9DP140, 9DP943. The original Walker-Turner serial-number document gave the codes as 9D140, 9D1040 and 9D943 but we assume that , in fact, the code
DP and not
D was used to indicate the 15-inch drill press.
Type 2:
For units with the Type 2 serial numbering system, the second letter indicates only the number of spindles or the type of spindle in the original unit. All units in this system were of the “900” series until the “1200” and “1300” series were introduced in the second quarter of 1952.
900 Series900 Series Type 2 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
50DH2E,
51DM1A,
51DJ3A,
52D01A1200 SeriesThe first “1200” series Drill Press was serial number 52DA2A which indicates “52” as 1952, “DA” 15” Drill Press, “2” second quarter and “A” standard model.
1300 SeriesThe “1300” 6” travel 15” Drill Presses are identified through the use of an “O” in place of the “D” in these serial numbers.
Type 3:
1200 Series1200 Series Type 3 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
Model 1216-26
0000224
Model 1216-42
0000807,
0001028Type 4:
15" Series15" Series Type 4 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
Model 15-146
1352081
20-inch Drill Press
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
1100 Series, 1941 through 1952: D11241, D11242, D11542, D11642 (PF), D1143, 2-1143, 2-644, 27-1144 (PF), 27-546 (PF), 2-546
Note: The original document also mentions serial numbers "59EA2A thru 52EA1A" in the Type 1 section.
Type 2:
For units with a Type 2 serial number, the second letter indicates only the number of spindles in the original unit. These 20” Drill Presses began with serial number 52EA2A which indicates “52” as 1952 year of manufacture “EA” 20” Drill Press, etc. All Serial numbers prior to 52EA2A were Type 1.
Type 4:
Type 4 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
1100 Series: 11-3151Bandsaws¶
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
BN730, dates unknown: 7-BS6390BW740, 1950: 29-449
BN905 14” Wood, 1939 to 1950: OBS6390,
19-639, 19-1049
MBN935 14” Metal, 1939 to 1950: 9BS6390,
MBS6390, MBS842, 20-842, 20-1049
MBN1105 16” Metal, 1939 to 1948 (Discontinued 1948): 11056390, 11051039, 1105442,
1105842,
21-842, 1105-448
BN1135 16” Wood, 1939 to 1948 (Discontinued 1948): 11351039,
11356390,
22-639, 1135-448
MCB1150 16” Wood, 1950: 50BD2A, 32-1049
MCB1151 16” Wood, 1950: 50BE2A
MCB1160 16” Metal, 1950: 50BF2A
Type 2:
For units with Type 2 serial numbers, the second letter indicates specific models of Bandsaws as follows:
| “A” indicates BW740 | | “D” indicates MCB1150 |
| “B” indicates MBN935 | | “E” indicates MCB1151 |
| “C” indicates BN905 | | “F” indicates MCB1160 |
Thus serial number 50BB2A would indicate that it was a model MBN935. Serial number 50BF2A indicates model MCB1160, etc.
Type 2 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
BW740: 51BA4A
BN905: 51BC3AType 3:
Type 3 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
3220: 0000571
3331: 0000820Type 4:
Type 4 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
3200 Series: 32-0036
Tablesaws
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
CB970 8” Tilt Table, 1947 to 1950: 26-1847, 26-148, 26-248,
26-748TC995-6 8” Tilt Arbor, Same as 2110: 31-1049
TA1180 10” Tilt Arbor, 1941: 11CS241, 15-241
TA1180B 10” Tilt Arbor, 1941 through 1950: 11CS241B,
16-241,
16-544,
16-546, 16-1147, 16-1148, 16-548, 16-749
TA1180BN 10” Tilt Arbor, 1950: 16-1149
TA1181 10” Tilt Arbor, 1950: 16-350
TA1182 10” Tilt Arbor, 1950: 16-5350
Type 2:
For units with Type 2 serial numbers, the second letter indicates specific models of Table / Circular Saws as follows:
| “A” indicates TC995 (2100) | | “E” indicates CB970 |
| “B” indicates TC996 (2100) | | “F” indicates LC1301 (12” 2300 Series) |
| “C” indicates TA1181 | | “G” indicates LC1302 (12” 2300 Series) |
| “D” indicates TA1182 |
Type 2 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
TC996/2100: 52AB2AType 3:
Type 3 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
2220: 00004992450: 0000172Radial Drills
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
RD1170* : RD1410, RD642, 3-642, 3-645, RD1141B, RD642L, 4-642, 4-645, RD642S, 5-642, 5-645, RD-642LS, 6-642, 6-645, RD-242L, RD-2426L
* RD1170 Radials differ from RD1175J only in manner of mounting motor.
RD1175J* : RD242B, RD11242B, RD642B,
7-642,
7-645, 7-6248, RD642JL,
8-642, 8-645, 8-6248, RD642JS, 9-642, 9-645, 9-6248, RD-642JLS, 10-642, 10-645, 10-6248
* RD1175J Radials are the same as present models with the exception of Head Casting and Jackshaft Housing. Other parts are interchangeable.
Type 3:
Type 3 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
1612-2: 0000015Type 4:
The early models of 1600 and 1700 Radials were RD1175J units with new name plates. These models only had one digit after the four digit unit number (1616-1 or 1711-2 etc.). These models carried serial numbers as follows:
- 16-0001 thru 16-0099
- 17-0001 thru 17-0099
Later models have two digits following the main number (1616-12 or 1711-13 etc.). These models carry serial numbers as follows:
- 16-0100 and higher
- 17-0100 and higher
Jig Saws (Scroll Saws)
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
MJ744, dates unknown: 7JS1239
J782, dates unknown: 7JS240
MJ917, dates unknown: 7JS1239 (Direct Drive Model)
J915*, 1947 to 1959: 25-1147
* J915 and model 4510 are identical with the exception of the 45A62 Hold Down and Guide Assy. The new assembly is interchangeable in its entirety.
Type 2:
Type 2 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
51JA4AType 3:
Type 3 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
4510: 0001000,
0001817Type 4:
Model No. 4510 Jig Saws have serial numbers as follows: 45-0001 and up
Lathes
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
SVL52, 1944: 14-144
L752, 1939: 7L6390*L905, 1939: 9L8390*
* The original document had these two serial numbers transposed. Here they are presented with the correct model number.
L951, 1941 to 1947: 9L2410, 14-747
L952, 1941 to 1947: 9L2410, 14-847
L1152, dates unknown: 1152841, 11L341, 112841, 14-841, 14-947
Type 2:
For units with Type 2 serial numbers, the second letter indicates specific models of lathes as follows:
| “A” indicates L-1152 | “C” indicates SVL52 |
| “B” indicates L-951 | “D” indicates 953 |
Type 3:
Type 3 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
5110: 0000969,
2000719Type 4:
Model 5110 and 5122 have serial numbers as follows: 51-0001 and up
Sanders¶
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
SM700-705, 1939 to 1960: 7SN6390, 7SN1139, 13-6390*, 13-1139
* While several examples of serial number
13-639 have been entered into the Photo Index, none have been entered for 13-6390. This is probably a mistake or oversight in the original document.
There has been only one change in sanders through all model numbers. This change is covered in the Service Bulletin dated May 21, 1958.
Type 3:
Type 3 examples from the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index:
5510: 0002914Type 4:
Sanders have serial numbers as follows: 55-0001 and up
Jointers
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
P908, 1940: 8J240, 12J240*
* While several examples of serial number
12-240 have been entered into the Photo Index, none have been entered for 12J240. This is probably a mistake or oversight in the original document.
P910, 1940-1949: 10J240, 10J249
P911, 1949 to 1953: 10-249, 10-549
P912, 1949 to 1953: 10-5149, 10-5849
Note: The formatting of the original document makes it unclear if P911 and P912 serial numbers were interchangeable, or if each model used specific serials.
Type 2:
All jointers with Type 2 serial numbers were model P911-912.
Type 3:
Model 6520-1 Jointers have serial numbers 0000001, 0000002, etc.
6520-1: 0002092,
8000795Type 4:
Model 6520-1 Jointers have serial numbers 65-0001 and up.
Shapers
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
S1140, 1949 to 1953: 14-149
S1141, 1949 to 1953: 14-3249
Note: The formatting of the original document makes it unclear if S1140 and S1141 serial numbers were interchangeable, or if each model used specific serials.
Type 2:
All shapers with Type 2 serial numbers were model S1140.
Type 4:
Shapers model 6110 and 6111 have serial numbers as follows: 61-0001 and up
Radial Arm Saws
Type 1:
Each model number will be followed by its manufacturing dates, then by serial numbers used. Each serial number is linked to an example in the VintageMachinery.org Photo Index when one exists.
“900” Series Including RA901, RA901B, RA908 and RA909:
27-449, 27-1149, 27-549, 28-449, 28-1149, 33-1149, 34-1149
“1100” Series Including RA1104, RA1106, RA1107 and RA1108:
RA9390, RA510, RA5410, RA540, RA640, RA642, 11RA343, RA143WR, RA343HB,
23-243, RA343, RA642, 3-1949
Type 2:
For units with Type 2 serial numbers, the second letter will identify the machine as “900” or “1100” series as follows:
“900” Series Letters: RF RG RJ RT RV RW RY RZ
“1100” Series Letters: RA RB RC RE RK RL RM RN RX
At the time of the number change, the 900 series models were altered slightly and then called the *4200 series. The 1100 series became the 4100 series.
* Some 4200 series units were produced with an A. O. Smith direct drive motor. These proved highly unsatisfactory and were discontinued immediately. Some difficulties will arise on radial saw parts orders due to our lack of Parts Manuals and a lack of any manufacturing records. All orders for gearhead motor parts MUST include the “GB” number of the motor. This is our only positive identification of the motors since H.P etc....or manufacturer's serial numbers do not mean anything. Any questions on these machines should be referred to Headquarters Office. (Note: The preceding was kept intact purely due to the fascinating insight it provides into the service of these machines).
Cut-Off Machines
Type 4:
All Model 8110, 8120, 8320, 8320-2 cut-off machines should have Type 4 serial numbers.