Hand Tools : Correct Usage & Care. General Motors Training Manual For U.S. Military Mechanics in WWII. Published by Training Service War Products Section of General Motors Corporation in 1943, Illustrated by Cartoons.

The title of this World War II era manual is "Hand Tools : Their Correct Usage and Care". It was issued in 1943 by General Motors Corporation in Detroit Michigan. The purpose of the book is explained on the title page: "This booklet was prepared and issued to members of the Armed Forces through the courtesy of the Training Service Section General Motors War Products." In the book's Foreword, more explanation is offered : "Our Armed Forces are in urgent need of more mechanics -- many thousands more -- to service tanks, planes, armored cars, and jeeps.This fighting equipment, coming from our factories in ever increasing quantities, is being delivered to our fighting fronts and training centers. The equipment must be serviced. This will require thousands of additional well-trained mechanics. The number of mechanics available isn't nearly enough Thousands of men coming from civilian life must be trained The great majority will have had little mechanical experience - some will be totally unfamiliar with tools. This booklet has been printed to help those men. The subject is presented in a somewhat different manner than would be done in conventional text books. Cartoons and drawings illustrate the story Some cartoons show how tools should not be used. This booklet is meant to give the inexperience worker a much better understanding of tools and their use. TITLE : Hand Tools : Their Correct Usage and Care AUTHOR : Anonymous IMPRINT : Training Service War Products Section of General Motors Corporation PLACE : Detroit, Michigan DATE : 1943 EDITION : First Edition STATUS : Out of Print - OP DETAILS : Contain one sepia-toned photograph (on the verso of the front cover), plus numerous cartoon figures and line drawings throughout the text. 5 3/8" x 8 1/4", illustrated card-stock wraps, stapled (2 staples); the cover has a cartoon mechanic, and the title is merely "Hand Tools". 54 pages (full pagination includes the verso of the front cover and the recto of the rear cover - printed pagination includes only the leaves of the text-block, not the cover.) CONDITION -- This is a previously owned book that remains clean and serviceable, with the following details noted : (The book has obviously seen use) EXTERIOR -- Scattered nicks along cover edges; there is one small discoloration to the top of the text-block (looks dark - I can't figure what made the discoloration - tool oil, maybe?); rear cover is considerably toned; there is a slight discoloration at the top of the spine fold (this follows through the book in various degrees of intensity - but not egregiously. Cover is basically clean with no marking. BINDING -- The covers have separated a bit from around the staples, but there is evidence that the cover attachment was mended. This seems to have been carefully done and is hardly note-worthy. INTERIOR --The top edge discoloration extends slightly (about half an eighth of an inch) to a few pages (not particularly egregious); the interior leaves of the first half of the book have bumped and creased upper corners - the second half has a bit of shallow creasing, but not nearly as obvious. Else, the interior is clean and unmarked - no underlining or marginalia - no signatures.…