Need Help Identifying Antique Breaker Bar/Nutspinner

[aliendude96]

Hi everyone, I got this Nut-spinner a few weeks ago, It has no Manufacturer Logo's besides a Stylized 7 on the Flex head and U joint. Too me it looks like a Snap on 1927 (7) or a 1947 (7). The diamond knurling and the oriented handle part at the top kind of resembles a snap on breaker bar but the head does not. Not even close...
A new Britain Breaker bar could be a candidate ( Maybe.. ) but the handle knurling style does not align with what i have. There is parts of it where it looks like it might have been Black oxide at one point, although i am not sure,

It's a Half inch drive, I will post pictures i hope someone can help me figure this out

Thanks

-Alex

 

[KnurledNut]

I believe that is a Snap-on NS-11. The NS stands for nut spinner, which preceded the term breaker bar.
That size was born around 1939 to join its older 15" and 18" siblings.
For years they had the square drive at 45° to the handle on these. But around 1946 it was changed to parallel like yours.
This NS-11 short handle version was discontinued by 1948, so if anything the 7 stamp may be indicative of 1947, perhaps the last of production.
Check the middle of the handle closely for any Snap-on markings. They may be hard to see.

Member @snapmom is a human encyclopedia on vintage Snap-on and may be able to confirm or correct my humble assessment.

 

[aliendude96]

I believe that is a Snap-on NS-11. The NS stands for nut spinner, which preceded the term breaker bar.
That size was born around 1939 to join its older 15" and 18" siblings.
For years they had the square drive at 45° to the handle on these. But around 1946 it was changed to parallel like yours.
This NS-11 short handle version was discontinued by 1948, so if anything the 7 stamp may be indicative of 1947, perhaps the last of production.
Check the middle of the handle closely for any Snap-on markings. They may be hard to see.

Member @snapmom is a human encyclopedia on vintage Snap-on and may be able to confirm or correct my humble assessment.

I appreciate the quick reply knurlednut!, I don't see any evidence of snap on markings Besides the 2 sevens of course. Do you think it could be government issued considering it's from the 1940's? That's the only thing i can think of that would result in a tool without the snap on Die stamp on the handle. I have snap on G and E tool's from the era, and even the stamps that are really worn down still have a faint imprint left on them. /confused

I think you are on to it knurlednut.. but the mystery continues lol

I would love to hear Snapmom's opinion on the matter!

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have an 18" 45 deg. anvil version with female drive. Will post up soon.

 

[3baygarage]

I don’t think it looks right for Snap-On. The ring over the handle, the head and anvil, just don’t look right.

 

[snapmom]

I think it is a Snap on. I have a NS11 from 42 but its different. However I have two NS4C speeders that would fit. The top one is a 39 and the bottom one is a 42. It is not unusual for an early 40s to show up with no logo, not warrantied. I think the 7 is probably an owner marking.

 

[aliendude96]

Wow those speeder handle rings look bang on with what I have ! And the head on the 42 seems to match up, besides the 45 deg offset. it was found with a wartime bonney 4098, so im happy to hear its from the 40's. Thanks knurledknut and snapmom for the responses.

I just want to know why its so different from the other nutspinners , was it a small production run? Because I cant find any examples of it anywhere on the web . I have seen examples of the nutspinner that knurlednut was speaking of. the length and handle-ring.. the 45 deg offset.. the female drive. But nothing that's 13" with my unique specifications .

Anyhow thanks guys !

 

[KnurledNut]

Wow those speeder handle rings look bang on with what I have ! And the head on the 42 seems to match up, besides the 45 deg offset. it was found with a wartime bonney 4098, so im happy to hear its from the 40's. Thanks knurledknut and snapmom for the responses.

I just want to know why its so different from the other nutspinners , was it a small production run? Because I cant find any examples of it anywhere on the web . I have seen examples of the nutspinner that knurlednut was speaking of. the length and handle-ring.. the 45 deg offset.. the female drive. But nothing that's 13" with my unique specifications .

Anyhow thanks guys !

Below I have posted the 1946 catalog, showing the change to the parallel square drive.
As I mentioned above, the 12" version was no longer made by 1948, so that really narrows the window to 3-4 years that your version may have been produced.
Also this catalog notes that only the 15 and 18" versions had the female square broached in the handle end to receive a sliding tee or ratchet, not the 12". This explains why yours had the cross drilled hole for a tommy bar, but with a solid end.



Here's the 1945 catalog to compare, still showing these with the square drive clocked 45°: