Show Off Your Antique Ratchet

[four.cycle]

^ yes. the one with the three bands of knurling is the S-K. the 657 Indestro looks the same, but ... knurled all the way down... no bands.

I've seen that other double-ended job before but it has yet to be identified definitively.

 

[3baygarage]

That double sided wrench is fairly common. I swear I saw a listing or catalog detailing what it was.

 

[Provincial]

Scaffolding wrench?

 

[Steven 33]

That double sided wrench is fairly common. I swear I saw a listing or catalog detailing what it was.

Interesting. Hopefully you stumble upon it again. I'm sure it will be long gone by then but it's nice to know what you have ha

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

^ yes. the one with the three bands of knurling is the S-K. the 657 Indestro looks the same, but ... knurled all the way down... no bands.

I've seen that other double-ended job before but it has yet to be identified definitively.

Bog made some double sided ratchets

 

[four.cycle]

^ I've seen only two or three examples of that unit on ebay - that one had the cleanest photos. Not a clue who/what.

 

[3baygarage]

Are you guys ready for this?

As you all wake up this morning, don't forget to tighten you bed bolts with your BED KEY.




(photos from Datamp, hardware article from Whitechapel-ltd)

 

[RTM]

As you all wake up this morning, don't forget to tighten you bed bolts with your BED KEY.

Nice find.

I read somewhere that back in the day. Firemen used to carry a bed key, to get your bed out in case if a fire, since bed frames were so expensive. (Hard to believe that they were more than a dresser). Not sure if this was a vintage story, or modern "made up" story, but need to dig more

Firemen's bed wrenches ....and why were they called that | Collectors Weekly

Shop for—and learn—about vintage and antiques. Browse the best of eBay, connect with other collectors, and explore the history behind your favorite finds.

www.collectorsweekly.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hey, don't sleep on 3bay, he's got some research skills.

< cue the onslaught of puns >

 

[3baygarage]

Truth is I had to sleep on it to remember. Wah wah wah. I’ve run into a number of those in the wild and on Ebay over the years. I have a couple. I don’t think I’ve seen one with a brand name. Any good old time hardware catalogs online?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Unless I'm dreaming, I have one somewhere. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk. Seriously, I do, but I can't find where I put it. I don't remember if it had any markings, but I don't think so.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Hey, don't sleep on 3bay, he's got some research skills.

< cue the onslaught of puns >

He really does

 

[Steven 33]

Truth is I had to sleep on it to remember. Wah wah wah. I’ve run into a number of those in the wild and on Ebay over the years. I have a couple. I don’t think I’ve seen one with a brand name. Any good old time hardware catalogs online?

He really does

Sorry guys but I don't sleep on anyone. Or like at all, period. And although I did originally found myself considering the bed key theory. I ultimately realized that it's a packer or eagle ratchet co tool. If you go back and look you will see that there are 2 different #2 Ratchets and these are marked with a 2

 

[Mastools]

Got mine a few years ago.

Cool, I've been wondering what sort of bits were used in a "ratchet drill"

 

[AntiqueBen]

Here is my SK 10570 ratchet that just came in. I'm guessing this may be from the 20's. The example on AA has the SK in the diamond logo which came out in 1932. This would have to be before that, but I'm not sure how much earlier than 1932? I believe this also might be the only SK ratchet that is stamped "The Sherman & Klove Co." It's stamped this way on both sides of the handle. I was also pleased to see the pressed seems edges are super tight.

 

[AntiqueBen]

Another pic. Not sure if these sockets go with this ratchet, but it all works good together.

 

[four.cycle]

the pressed seems edges are super tight.

^ Trying to apply too much torque on those little things splits the business end wide open. Difficult to find them in good shape. Here's an old Duro that was abused in that manner:

 

[AntiqueBen]

^ Trying to apply too much torque on those little things splits the business end wide open. Difficult to find them in good shape. Here's an old Duro that was abused in that manner:

I know what you mean. Here's an Indestro that has suffered the same fate. The Sherman & Klove is tight. There is also a distinct difference in the shape of the head on these two.

 

[AntiqueBen]

I know I have talked about the 1883 G.W. Smith socket set here a few times, but I am curious. Does anyone know of a set of sockets before G.W. Smith? I know manufacturers like Lowell offered different size gears to switch out inside the head of the ratchet. Or like Packer & some others that offered a few different options that could attach to the ratchet. But was there an offering of an actual "set of sockets" prior to G.W. Smith? I'm attempting to determine what was the "first" set of sockets & who made them.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Just a wild guess, but I think there would have been brace sockets prior to their having been sockets designed to be used with ratchets, no?

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Greene tweed had some pretty old ones

 

[AntiqueBen]

^ Just a wild guess, but I think there would have been brace sockets prior to their having been sockets designed to be used with ratchets, no?

Your right. When I think of Brace's I think of my Irwin bits for drilling holes in wood. I guess the question then is who offered Brace sockets for nuts & bolts in multiple sizes first? Could be then that G.W. Smith was the first to offer a socket set for a ratchet.

 

[four.cycle]

Wiley & Russell and Greenfield were making brace sockets early on.

 

[deerman]

An argument can be made that the ratchet is one of the most important tool inventions of all time. The ability to put different size sockets on a single tool literally changed the tool & automobile industry.

Garage Journal has countless threads, discussions & information on about any type of ratchet you can think of. This thread will focus on pre-vintage or Antique ratchets (preferably pre-1920's). These were the days when pressed steel sockets were the industry standard. I felt the need to start this thread after recently acquiring my first Mossberg socket set. I have used ratchets all my life & when I look at this Mossberg set it's amazing to think that it all started with something like this. These sets were used to work on carriages, tractors, Model T's & even the pre-Model T gasoline vehicles. I always wander what my old set might have been used for or who used it.

Of course Frank Mossberg wasn't the only one in the game. J.J. Richardson's ratchet stretches back to 1863. I always find it interesting to see & learn more about some of these ratchets from the early 1900's. All the different design variations an innovative ideas for ratchets during this period was a cool part of history. We are still finding today unknown ratchets & design variations that are a forgotten part of our past.

So, post up your antique ratchets & sockets & any stories you may have about them. Let's see what's out there. My pics are of the Mossberg set I recently acquired.

I have 3 of these ratchets. Not sure what they are. One pic i wrote down what i could make out from the label on it. Same socket size on both ends. On the larger short side the socket ratchets to tighten only and the socket can be pulled out 1/2 inch or so. The longer side the ratchet, is fixed the sockets are held on by pins. The sockets both hold screw driver bits. On the large end, someone etched the date 4-01. The three that i have, two have different dates on them and one has no date etched. Any help on these is appriciated. I can not find these anywhere.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It doesn't look antique (made before 1924) to me. You might get a wide audience and a better response by posting it on the mega Ratchets thread, which is an older thread that has been around a long time, and used to be a very active thread for showing and discussing all older, vintage ratchets. Not sure how you found this thread, but you can find that one under 'Ratchets' in the A-Z Index of threads in the Sticky. Or click here.

I am thinking some kind of manufacturing environment. The sockets are not interchangeable, for one, and the ratcheting head is not reversible. So, whether those are bit holders, for hex bits, as you alluded to, or those are the openings for turning one particular size hex nut, for assembly only. What's odd is how outrageously bulky it would be for turning such small sockets or bits.

The knurled piece is fixed to the handle, correct? Or does it spin? In other words, I am assuming the socket pinned to the **** end of the handle does not ratchet. If you wanted to use that end, you'd have to turn the entire shank (the entire tool) more or less like a spinner or driver handle. Right?

The etched markings might not be dates.

Lastly, the foil label might not be original, but if it is, it also confirms my opinion that it's not antique. I would be looking in the 1960's or even later.

 

[four.cycle]

Lastly, the foil label might not be original, but if it is, it also confirms my opinion that it's not antique. I would be looking in the 1960's or even later.

What is referred to as "Arial" type now (originally "Helvetica") didn't exist prior to 1960.
IF the label is original, it's definitely not "antique".

And yes, it is a very odd contraption.

 

[3baygarage]

I have 3 of these ratchets. Not sure what they are. One pic i wrote down what i could make out from the label on it. Same socket size on both ends. On the larger short side the socket ratchets to tighten only and the socket can be pulled out 1/2 inch or so. The longer side the ratchet, is fixed the sockets are held on by pins. The sockets both hold screw driver bits. On the large end, someone etched the date 4-01. The three that i have, two have different dates on them and one has no date etched. Any help on these is appriciated. I can not find these anywhere.

My guess is a torque limiting inch pounds wrench. I can’t exactly tell if that bottom word is Rogers. There are Rogers scope mounting kits.

 

[deerman]

It doesn't look antique (made before 1924) to me. You might get a wide audience and a better response by posting it on the mega Ratchets thread, which is an older thread that has been around a long time, and used to be a very active thread for showing and discussing all older, vintage ratchets. Not sure how you found this thread, but you can find that one under 'Ratchets' in the A-Z Index of threads in the Sticky. Or click here.

I am thinking some kind of manufacturing environment. The sockets are not interchangeable, for one, and the ratcheting head is not reversible. So, whether those are bit holders, for hex bits, as you alluded to, or those are the openings for turning one particular size hex nut, for assembly only. What's odd is how outrageously bulky it would be for turning such small sockets or bits.

The knurled piece is fixed to the handle, correct? Or does it spin? In other words, I am assuming the socket pinned to the **** end of the handle does not ratchet. If you wanted to use that end, you'd have to turn the entire shank (the entire tool) more or less like a spinner or driver handle. Right?

The etched markings might not be dates.

Lastly, the foil label might not be original, but if it is, it also confirms my opinion that it's not antique. I would be looking in the 1960's or even later.

Manufacturing makes sense with its limitations. I noticed on one of them the sockets are larger. I managed to unscrew the large end

 

[MR.X]

Big 357 Mossberg with an adapter?

 

[Cruzan80]

Very nice! Guessing that it drops the size down to the smaller sockets.

 

[MR.X]

Very nice! Guessing that it drops the size down to the smaller sockets.

I assume. I just saw this on FB Marketplace so it's not like I checked it though.

 

[toolmaddave1992]

Anyone know what this is ? Only tightens so could be some sort of torque wrench. Thanks
Dave

 

[3baygarage]

Anyone know what this is ? Only tightens so could be some sort of torque wrench. Thanks
Dave

preset torque wrench

 

[baldytooltime]

My other Lowell 1864 ratchet drill showed up today. After a light cleaning it turned out nice for its age (over 150 yrs). As far as finish & construction it's much closer in similarity to the original flat handle version. I would call this one version 2 of the 1864's. The flat handle 1st, this ratchet drill 2nd & the other one 3d. There are obvious differences between all 3. The ratchet drill's round handle is not as thick as the other round handle. Also, the head of the ratchet drill is the same thickness as the flat handle. The guts of all 3 are identical. It's amazing the 150 yr old springs are still in great shape. I noticed on the inside by the mechanism & behind the face plate is stamped 11? Not sure yet what this indicates. Any ideas? I'm still surprised I found this one, especially the drill version. They're so difficult to find.

Hey Ben have you ever seen or heard of EE Johnson Manf’r look like your third ratchet.

 

[baldytooltime]

Ok I did some research. EE Johnson shows up in the registry of citizens for Worcester, Ma. In 1882/1885 (not in 1880) his address 19 Church St. Lowell 1864 ratchet patent expired 1881. Their second patent 1886 was very notable with pawl selector at end of handle to keep fingers away from where ratcheting in tight quarters was happening. (At customers request). Lowell Wrench Co. address was 19 Church St. SAME as Edwin E. Johnson’s. Address. So he must have worked for Lowell Wrench Co. to put his name as manf’r on an expired patent is very interesting and unique.

 

[AntiqueBen]

Ok I did some research. EE Johnson shows up in the registry of citizens for Worcester, Ma. In 1882/1885 (not in 1880) his address 19 Church St. Lowell 1864 ratchet patent expired 1881. Their second patent 1886 was very notable with pawl selector at end of handle to keep fingers away from where ratcheting in tight quarters was happening. (At customers request). Lowell Wrench Co. address was 19 Church St. SAME as Edwin E. Johnson’s. Address. So he must have worked for Lowell Wrench Co. to put his name as manf’r on an expired patent is very interesting and unique.

Interesting indeed. Definitely a Lowell Ratchet. Why E.E. Johnson's name is stamped on the faceplate is a mystery to me.

 

[four.cycle]

^ He was a machinist at Lowell. He's probably the guy who assembled it at the "factory".

 

[baldytooltime]

That was the gist of it, but why is he putting manf’r on it vs Lowell wrench. Maybe they said you can keep making the old ones and sell them as pay. Interestingly. A new Lowell stubby ratchet comes out of the factory with EE -1 and I’ve seen an EE-8 both with the original 1864 guts. I wonder if EE-1 was EE Johnson???? Some have the Lowell plate on them some don’t. Very weird stuff.

 

[baldytooltime]

2012 Stubby article here on GJ

Unique Stubby Ratchet ID

I picked up this ratchet at an estate sale over the weekend. As i walked up i thought it was a Snap-on 3/4" drive head but it actually had a solid handle and not bored out for a rod to be inserted. It measures a little over 7" and the drive hole is 5/8" The only markings i could find were...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If it was a practice of Lowell Wrench Co. to make and sell ratchets with the name of the machinist it was assembled by stamped into the faceplate, it would be highly unusual, and we would see a lot more of them, and with a multitude of names. There's no precedence for that being the case. Note also that it's stamped exactly where the branding is typically found ("Lowell Wrench Co.", and maybe a patent date arcing across the top of "No. 1" with "Worcester, Mass" underneath). That replacement marking, and that abbreviation ("MAN'F'R") (MANUFACTURER) sure does make it look like it was some kind of strange sideline deal. I'm with baldy on this one.