Craftsman 49951 1/4” flex head ratchet

[kxxr]

The USA version of this ratchet goes up around $2-300 on eBay sometimes. The earliest thread discussion I can find here on GJ about this specific ratchet is around September 2010. Everybody was trying to figure out why Sears was selling their 1/4” version for almost twice the price of the 3/8” version. Next (not sure exactly what year) comes a similar looking raised panel 1/4” flex head which differs from the original in that it does include a quick release mechanism and no indication of country of origin marked on the tool.
There are examples on eBay of this off-shore version going for much more than one would expect, over $200 in some cases. The parts are not interchangeable as the repair kit 49834 only fits the USA version. Seems like Sears should have given the newer, foreign made version its own part number but no, both are 49951. It is confusing but I’d be disappointed if I spent $200 for the MIC version. When did the quick release version first appear, anybody know? Thanks!

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Never seen that version in USA made, so it would make me wonder as quite a few years ago, there was an influx of Craftsman Canada tools, which were made oversea's. Some matched the USA made ones, and others there were no USA made equivalents. I picked up a couple of Craftsman CA, wobble extensions, for the times I needed to be just a bit off to get to a spark plug.
Watching this to learn more.

 

[Jtels85]

The USA version came out not long before the PRC ratchet. You’ll find 49951 with date codes of “VVZ”, “VVAA” and “VVAB” for USA models. The USA versions were not quick release ratchets and will also be stamped “USA” on the backside of the handle along with the date code and part number.

“D-AA”, D-AB”, “D-AC”, “D-AD, “D-AE”, “D-AF” and “D-AG” are PRC made ratchets and were all quick release.

As far as date codes, Z in the code = 2010, A = 2011, B = 2012, C = 2013, D = 2014 and so on…

They’re not necessarily rare, so I never understood why people pay crazy money for them on eBay. Every Sears in the 2010’s had several of them hanging on the pegs. The price was expensive at the time for what they were… close to $45. I would venture to guess that the influx of Craftsman tool collectors over the past few years (Post USA and post SB&D acquisition) have driven up the prices.