Stanley 750 chisel vs. Stanley D chisel

[JD Dolan]

Anybody know the difference between the Stanley 750 chisel and the Stanley D chisel? I've got a few 750s and one D, which looks identical.

Thanks,
J.D.

[Mike Brady]

I have seen answers to this question ranging from "D" means defective, to "D" is for the DEFIANCE brand that Stanley sold. I lean towards the DEFIANCE explanation. The "D" on my chisels looks carefully aligned and planned. If a tool was stamped as defective it would likely be crude and misaligned and possibly even done with a hand stamp. One of my D chisels was not polished, which might have been a concession to lower the cost of the finished product. Although perhaps not as valuable as a Stanley 750, the D tool is just as good.
The Walters book on Stanley does not mention Defiance chisels. Maybe other posters will have more information for you.

[JD Dolan]

Bob Smalser says he hasn't noticed any difference between the 750s and the D chisels. In one of his posts he mentions the Defiance as one to avoid.

Bob's outstanding posts got me started on this whole chisel search.