Lets make an all vintage Snap-on tool picture thread!

[outofbounds]

Thank you sir!!

 

[outofbounds]

Presented for your consideration: 1920s Snap-On A-16 Wing Nut Socket. I am curious as to how one might accurately date such an item. I am going off of when these first appeared in the Snap-On catalogs.

 

[snapmom]

If it does not have a date code, then probably mid 20s. as most, if not all, were made in the mid to late 20s

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You may run into some tools that are clearly not mid-1920's vintage and not date-coded (e.g., some pliers) for whatever reason. The logo can provide some help in those instances.

Snap/on - through 1946
Snap/on - ~1947-1949
Snap-on - 1950 to ?? (I don't know, I don't collect it)

 

[snapmom]

You may run into some tools that are clearly not mid-1920's vintage and not date-coded (e.g., some pliers) for whatever reason. The logo can provide some help in those instances.

Snap/on - through 1946
Snap/on - ~1947-1949
Snap-on - 1950 to ?? (I don't know, I don't collect it)

most of the time this is right, have seen a few things, (mostly pliers) that do not fit.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The pliers are wonky for sure. But another huge anomaly that needs caveating is Ferret tools. Some of the late wartime Ferret handles have the leaning/italic logo. My hunch is that was the first line they started converting the dies on.

 

[d42jeep]

I hit a Snap-on honey hole at my third estate sale today in Concord, CA. So far I’ve cleaned up the combos and the 1/2” drive ratchet tool. The wrenches are mostly from 1955 and 56.
-Don

 

[misterbill]

Wow! You may have to abdicate your "Bay Area Bishop of Barcalo" title and become "Snapdad"! Nice haul, Don.

 

[outofbounds]

d42jeep,
Nice haul for sure.

 

[d42jeep]

Wow! You may have to abdicate your "Bay Area Bishop of Barcalo" title and become "Snapdad"! Nice haul, Don.

d42jeep,
Nice haul for sure.

Thanks, guys!
Bill,
Of course I found some Barcalo. I just haven’t had a chance to post it yet.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I snagged this 9/32-inch drive No. M-40 at a used tool store on Friday.

What I am a little befuddled by is the "BLUE POINT" marking!

These M-40's were offered from the beginning to the end of the 9/32-inch drive era, which, in commercial catalog terms, ran from 1935 (Cat KA) to 1942 (Cat P), before 1/4-inch drive took over in 1945 (Cat Q). But all the pieces are marked Snap-on, as far as I knew. I understand they continued making 9/32-inch drive for military contracts after that perhaps into the early 50's. I am speculating that at least some of that production was Blue-Point branded.

Does anyone else have any Blue-Point branded 9/32-inch drive tools?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Just for sh*ts and grins... And I am going to need a bigger box!

 

[d42jeep]

I snagged this 9/32-inch drive No. M-40 at a used tool store on Friday.

What I am a little befuddled by is the "BLUE POINT" marking!

These M-40's were offered from the beginning to the end of the 9/32-inch drive era, which, in commercial catalog terms, ran from 1935 (Cat KA) to 1942 (Cat P), before 1/4-inch drive took over in 1945 (Cat Q). But all the pieces are marked Snap-on, as far as I knew. I understand they continued making 9/32-inch drive for military contracts after that perhaps into the early 50's. I am speculating that at least some of that production was Blue-Point branded.

Does anyone else have any Blue-Point branded 9/32-inch drive tools?

I was never temped to use this, so it may be 9/32” drive. I’ll check it out.
-Don

 

[snapmom]

there were at least two BP 9/32 drivers made. here is one. there was a earlier version with a different handle, but I do not think there is an example that still is intact, as they have disintegrated (there is a pic of one I had on the collectingsnapon site, but it has now disintegrated)

 

[snapmom]

The pic. posted on the site.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

there were at least two BP 9/32 drivers made. here is one.

That's the same spinner I just found and showed in posts #1938 and #1939, snapmom. And, if I am guessing correctly, the same spinner Don just showed in post #1940. What I am wondering is why its marked "BLUE POINT". What I am asking is if anyone has any other 9/32-inch drive tools (i.e., not the stubby M-40 spinner) branded Blue-Point instead of Snap-on. Doesn't anyone else think it's extremely odd that ALL the 9/32-inch drive tools - including the other spinners (M-4 and M-45)! - are marked Snap-on except for the M-40 spinner?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The pic. posted on the site.

That's the tapered handle one only shown in the 1935 cat.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Well, I just confirmed the basis for my question. I just looked through every catalog between 1932 and 1942, and every illustration of an M-40 type spinner shows a BLUE POINT marking on the amber Pyralin handle. I never noticed it before, and this is the first M-40 I've ever found. The question is why? Why would they do that? Why would they make a couple dozen different 9/32-drive tools, all marked Snap-on, except for one marked Blue-Point? For me there is really only one logical (if you can call it that...) explanation. And it's really **** of them if you ask me. They must have been getting the M-40's from one of their original (pre-consolidation) Blue-Point sources. It's just bizarre.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I do have one with a wood handle marked bluepoint. All the others are snapon.

 

[Bill vonSteuben]

Working on pics-I'm fighting with my new "smart phone". Upgrade necessitated by my carrier's move to 4g.
Last summer I found a spring loaded, 1/2 inch drive, 5 steel ball device which I believed to be no name. However while cleaning last night, I found it to be lightly marked Snap on, with something below that which I cannot decipher. The overall length is 4 3/4 inches. The knurled handle is 2 3/4 inches long, rounded on the **** end, with 6 notches on the other which depress over the single steel ball on the round portion of the business end. The rest of that end is 1/2 inch square with the stamping on one face, 2 steel balls on the opposite face and a single steel ball on the remaining faces. My guess is that it was a hand held driver, or an adapter to use with female ratchets to put pressure on the bolt while turning. Am I close? Is mid '20's a reasonable guess for age?
Thanks
Bill

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I do have one with a wood handle marked bluepoint. All the others are snapon.

I forgot, that wood handled M-4 and the tapered amber handled M-40 that disintegrated on snapmom appear on the same page in the 1935 catalog. The earliest production. That actually helps my theory. I think they were probably getting them both from MTF/Blue-Points. They started making the M-4 and M-45 on their own, but continued getting the M-40 from that plant for some strange reason. And I say strange because other than the length of the shank, there's really no difference between the M-4 and the M-40.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Spotted this one on ebay

 

[snapmom]

Hi Bill:
It is a ratchet plug, model number SG7a, probably late 20s. also came in 5/8 drive. both are hard to find.

Attached two wood handle drivers from the late 30s. industrial, 1/4 drive.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

This thing in the middle?

 

[Bill vonSteuben]

Thanks Snap-mom
I knew someone here could ID it.
Oldtuleguy-Yes. That's it above the sliding Tee bar.
Thanks
Bill

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think that is the predecessor to the thumb wheel ratchet.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think that is the predecessor to the thumb wheel ratchet.

Technically, it was meant to be plugged into the female ratchet, no? You held it steady and worked the ratchet and the swivel grip turned, right?

Otg, Snapmom,

What is the longest 1920's era Snap-on Tee-handle you have ever seen? The No. 3-A was 24", but did they make an extra extra long one? I saw one that was at least 36" maybe longer. No markings, but all the classic mid 20's Snap-on tells. Not in any catalogs.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

You can turn the socket with it while it is in the ratchet

 

[snapmom]

Technically, it was meant to be plugged into the female ratchet, no? You held it steady and worked the ratchet and the swivel grip turned, right?

Otg, Snapmom,

What is the longest 1920's era Snap-on Tee-handle you have ever seen? The No. 3-A was 24", but did they make an extra extra long one? I saw one that was at least 36" maybe longer. No markings, but all the classic mid 20's Snap-on tells. Not in any catalogs.

You should have got it. The 24 is hard to find

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Would have loved to have seen that

 

[snapmom]

a 24 tee

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That's a sweet assortment!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You should have got it. The 24 is hard to find

Would have loved to have seen that

a 24 tee

Thanks. That's it. It may not be too late to get it. Most people probably don't know what it is. I recognized it from the drive stud, the rotating grip, and the stops holding the rotating grip in place. Where are they measuring that 24" from? OAL (end of drive stud to top of Tee handle)? Or just the shank? I swear it was longer than 24 inches.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

It's the total length

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oh, yeah, it's got the No. 3 right next to it in snapmom's post and that's 12 inches. It looks longer. It looks ridiculously long in person, when you're holding it. Probably just the illusion of seeing so many shorter Tee handles.

Check yer PM, pardner.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They are cool

 

[3jakes]

It was suggested I come to this thread to get a few more educated eyes:

On this 27" long OEX58, on the box end, is a raised, (not stamped) mark, (or imperfection)
Any ideas if this "T" is an intentional marking, or what.

 

[snapmom]

Probably a foundry marking. Quite common on wrenches.

 

[3jakes]

Thanks mom, appreciate the comeback.

 

[Catfishdan]

I don’t normally mess with much snap on stuff, but I found these 3 1/2” drive pieces at a garage sale today. They look really early - no date stamps at all. All were used HARD, but I especially like the extension with the spinning grip.