Standard of old tools (6,3,6)

I believe the answer is:

hammer and sickle

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'tools' is the definition.
(I have seen 'revolutionary tools' mean 'hammer and sickle' so perhaps 'tools' could also mean 'hammer and sickle')

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for hammer and sickle that I've seen before include "revolutionary tools" , "that's symbolic for Left" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.

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