Blackhawk, New Britain, Husky variations...

[ganymede]

particularly the handles and switches .
Does anyone know a rough timeline for the different types. ? ?

 

[PowderKeg]

Definite dates no, but I've only seen the fancier handles on New Britain and Blackhawk branded ratchets, which were the premier/pro lines for NAPA and top tier non-chain associated auto parts stores. Virtually all other NB sourced Kilness patent ratchet brands had the basic knurled handle. There is a third handle style - a flattened one that's completely smooth and @ 3/4" shorter than the rest. Only have/seen it on two 3/8" ratchets, one for Litton and another branded or model # "SP 45".

 

[McFarmer]

Definite dates no, but I've only seen the fancier handles on New Britain and Blackhawk branded ratchets, which were the premier/pro lines for NAPA and top tier non-chain associated auto parts stores. Virtually all other NB sourced Kilness patent ratchet brands had the basic knurled handle. There is a third handle style - a flattened one that's completely smooth and @ 3/4" shorter than the rest. Only have/seen it on two 3/8" ratchets, one for Litton and another branded or model # "SP 45".

I have a "None Better" with the flattened handle, 1/2 drive.

 

[ganymede]

Definite dates no, but I've only seen the fancier handles on New Britain and Blackhawk branded ratchets, which were the premier/pro lines for NAPA and top tier non-chain associated auto parts stores. Virtually all other NB sourced Kilness patent ratchet brands had the basic knurled handle. There is a third handle style - a flattened one that's completely smooth and @ 3/4" shorter than the rest. Only have/seen it on two 3/8" ratchets, one for Litton and another branded or model # "SP 45".

Thanks.
I saw a 1980 Blackhawk or napa catalog on ebay and the rat handles were knurled with double grooves . I don't think the ratchets were kilness patent though. Selectors were tri wing like 80's Craftsmans .

 

[PowderKeg]

I have a "None Better" with the flattened handle, 1/2 drive.

Is it a round head Kilness patent ratchet like Ganymede's photo? I've yet to see a Kilness patent None Better ratchet - would surely like to, as I assumed the None Better line had been dropped/replaced by the time the Kilness ratchets came out (Kilness patent filed for 1957, granted 1961). The earlier Fors patent ratchet (filed for 1946, granted 1951) was produced in the None Better line and had a flat no-knurling handle version.

The Kilness patent flattened handle style I mentioned is the "SP 45" ratchet on the bottom:

While the Fors patent ratchets are: