This is maybe half of the NB made ratchets I have.
http://i.imgur.com/muFYePV.jpg
WoW! That is impressive! Can you tell us which is the "fine tooth" and "post Kilcher? patent design ones"? Are they all that and good to get or are some more desireable than others? And what other brands did they make them for besides NB itself? - Paul
Post Kilcher? Assuming you mean Kilness patent - all those are the round head Kilness patent design. In a few brandings that offered both 44 and 60 tooth versions (Husky and Sparta for sure), the 44 tooth has "45" and 60 tooth has "43" as part of the model #. The Penncraft brand also offered both but used a four digit model # that differed for 44 and 60 tooth as well as regular and quick release models.
There are so many different brands that New Britain produced ratchets for at some point (or that used the Kilness patent after NB's demise) that it can be difficult to keep it all straight - think I'm up to around 29 different brands covering the early design (like Pumpman's Craftsman), Fors patent, and by far the most prolific Kilness patent.
There is another New Britain round head design that almost certainly predates the Kilness patent design:
(first pic)
Don't know what the patent # is, but it appears to not have lasted long once the Kilness design showed up.
My New Britain No 58 1/2" x 12" breaker bar. What a GREAT tool! I'm assuming 70's vintage. One of the most comfortable tools I've ever handled. It's in my road box and gets regular use. Too bad it isn't longer.......but a great tool nonetheless.
I'm thinking your breaker bar might actually be from the late 40's to mid 50's. Grip design looks very similar to the design on some Fors patent ratchets, although smoother around the grip - the logo/model # "bar isn't nearly as pronounced/raised as the ratchets.
Here's a shot from awhile back of some of my Fors patent ratchets, with the New Britain branded one on the bottom:
(second pic)
It's also the same grip design as the other "unique" round head pic above, which should put it around the late 40's/Fors era too. I've only seen a few post-Fors era ratchets that didn't have a knurled round grip (on a couple of "bargain" brands). Even the earliest Kilness round head New Britain and Blackhawk ones I have with the large/tall reversing cap have the round grip. One would assume that after changing from the Fors ratchet design to the Kilness ratchet design and to knurled round grip handles on said ratchets, that NB would carry that grip design over to breaker bars as well.
At any rate, a very cool breaker bar!
). That's just my opinion though.
. I know I have them in Blackhawk, Husky and Penncraft[/FONT]. I have got good at fixing the release mechanism. Seems to be a weak link on these ratchets.