What did you get yourself for Christmas?

[The Metal Butcher]

got my work permit, ending 4 months of unemployment. That was a hell of a Christmas present!

Excellent!

Santa showed up with his red trailer and delivered a backhoe...

Man that's too straight. 4lb hammer will make it look it's age. Not even any broken windows?

[Cenedd]

Several years ago Mitutoyo began etching a sort of QR-Code on all tools, I suspect that with todays technology any company that makes knock offs can do the same.

I suspect that Mitutoyo came to the same conclusion as both my calipers don't have any etching and they were bought from an authorised dealer. It is there on the sticker with the serial number though, just not etched into the metal.

[Fasttrack]

Man that's too straight. 4lb hammer will make it look it's age. Not even any broken windows?

Nope - all the glass was intact but don't let the exterior fool you. She's got plenty of weeping cylinders to show her age. Engine is surprisingly strong. The old girl must have had pretty decent life before it came to me. Price was right, too... so I'm pretty pleased! Felt like a real bit of Christmas magic after searching for one for a while.

[Bented]

I suspect that Mitutoyo came to the same conclusion as both my calipers don't have any etching and they were bought from an authorised dealer. It is there on the sticker with the serial number though, just not etched into the metal.

Such codes are commonly used for individual part identification by automated systems during the manufacturing process, this does however add another step when someone wants to counterfeit a product.