J.A.F.E.
Well-known member
Came across this old ratchet and while I usually pass if it's not one of my pet brands (which this is not), this one caught my eye. It's origin is a bit of a mystery as some of the details differ from those listed on this ratchet on Alloy Artifacts.
Just to the left of "Forged" the small mark is an S with a D in the top loop and an F in the bottom loop. Note the the three screws go through the top plate into the bottom plate.
When I got it there were some rough and sticky spots in the action, which turned out to be antique grease hardened into stone.
It was also assembled upside down with the drive slug on the selector switch side.
With the large screw removed and the two small ones loosened but not removed I turned it over and removed the bottom plate. This shows the parts in relation to each other. Not only is this a dual pawl design but each pawl has two tooth engagement. The large holes in the pawls are bit strange, but it works well.
Also, the wear marks on the bottom plate from the gear and pawls show this one saw some action over the years.
Here are details of the spring and selector.
The selector is actually riveted to the body.
The photos were staged in the sense they were taken after cleanup. The old grease prevented taking clear photos and I'm working at the limits of my photograph skills as it is.
It does need a more thorough cleaning but that will wait as I don't want to damage the patina. Even dry it is surprisingly smooth and after cleanup and some RLL should be amazing.
Just to the left of "Forged" the small mark is an S with a D in the top loop and an F in the bottom loop. Note the the three screws go through the top plate into the bottom plate.
When I got it there were some rough and sticky spots in the action, which turned out to be antique grease hardened into stone.
It was also assembled upside down with the drive slug on the selector switch side.
With the large screw removed and the two small ones loosened but not removed I turned it over and removed the bottom plate. This shows the parts in relation to each other. Not only is this a dual pawl design but each pawl has two tooth engagement. The large holes in the pawls are bit strange, but it works well.
Also, the wear marks on the bottom plate from the gear and pawls show this one saw some action over the years.
Here are details of the spring and selector.
The selector is actually riveted to the body.
The photos were staged in the sense they were taken after cleanup. The old grease prevented taking clear photos and I'm working at the limits of my photograph skills as it is.
It does need a more thorough cleaning but that will wait as I don't want to damage the patina. Even dry it is surprisingly smooth and after cleanup and some RLL should be amazing.
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, I get a kick out of doing this and it's nice to be around others who like it too! This is definately a useable tool.