Craftsman -V- Ratchet Ring Recess Codes?

[DadsTools]

Hey guys, occasionally I will encounter an older Craftsman ratchet with a code stamped in the retainer ring recess. The photos show a 1/2" drive 44985 -v- teardrop head with a letter "G" stamped in that recess. Most of these older ratchets I see have no such markings (from what I've been able to find online, this ratchet appears to be an early 1970s model). Anybody have an idea what these codes stand for?

 

[Jim C.]

During the last couple years, I've been trying to catagorize, differentiate, and classify Craftsman teardrop style ratchets manufactured between approximately 1956 and 1993. I think I've finally identified every "type" / iteration that exists for drive sizes 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4". I have just about every iteration, in all three drive sizes, with the exception of just a few that I'm still looking for. I see dozens of Craftsman teardrop ratchets on eBay EVERY day. I'm pretty familiar with these particular ratchets.

While I could be wrong, I think the ratchet depicted in your post was most likely manufactured during the early 1980s. Those letter codes you're referring to actually started showing up in all three drive sizes (1/2, 3/8, 1/4) two "types" or iterations before the ratchet in your post, and continued one type/iteration after your ratchet. The first 1/2" drive ratchet with the letter in the recess was model number 44975 with manufacturer code -VV-. The letters in the retainer ring recess differ from example to example. I've seen letters A through L on the 1/2" drives, as well as 3/8" and 1/4". There could be more, but those are the only 12 letters I've seen. My best guess is that the letters MAY represent the factory of manufacture, or assembly line, or work shift, or forge, however, since there are only 12 letters observed, and 12 months in a year, the letters might represent the month a ratchet was produced. (A = January, B = February, etc.) I've seen this type of letter code arrangement on old car parts and machine parts. It could be true for ratchets too.

Jim C.

 

[DadsTools]

Thanks so much for your information. I admire your efforts, especially since I understand it's quite a challenge to sort out the who-made-what-when-where with these vintage Craftsman tools. Interesting that there's a range of 12 letters--does seem like it might correspond with a month or a particular factory/production line.

I do have a couple more questions. Based on your extensive collection, do you know around when the "patent pending" marks were finally removed from these ratchets? Also, I've read everywhere that the -V- code precedes the -VV- code, and therefore -v- should be an earlier ratchet?

 

[twertsy]

Reminds me of S-K. All the S-K round heads have similar codes. I've / we've yet to figure them out. Some have 2 letters, some 1 letter, some a letter and a number.

 

[DadsTools]

I have a small handful of older S-K RHFT ratchets, but none of them have any kind of code I can find.

I do have some pertinent information on the single letter codes on the earlier combination wrenches out of the Lectrolite factory, was wanting to post it on the Tool Archives site, but still can't get access to it.

 

[woody 73]

I always wondered how long do patents last ? (from doing tool stories on the GJ)

I found this on the web:

https://law.freeadvice.com/intellectual_property/patent_law/patent_duration.htm

 

[Jim C.]

".........I do have a couple more questions. Based on your extensive collection, do you know around when the "patent pending" marks were finally removed from these ratchets? Also, I've read everywhere that the -V- code precedes the -VV- code, and therefore -v- should be an earlier ratchet?

As for the "patent pending" and/or patent numbers appearing on Craftsman teardrop ratchet handles, well, the answer isn't that simple. Patent pending and/or patent numbers were not included on the first "types," then they were included for awhile, then they disappeared for a few "types"/iterations and then re-appeared again, and then finally disappeared for good. I'll take a look at my examples and try to put together a more specific answer in terms of a rough time line. I'm no expert on the "V" manufacturer's mark, but generally speaking, =V= came before -V-, and -V- came before -VV-. What I have found however, was that for a brief time, in the middle of the Craftsman teardrop production run, 1/2" and 3/8" versions were produced with -V- and -VV- marks simultaneously. Interestingly, that's also the second period when the ratchets had no patent pending and/or patent numbers on the handles. After the -VV- disappeared from the handles, the ratchets continued on with the -V- mark and the patent pending stamp re-appeared. Your ratchet is from that period. Near the end of the traditional teardrop run, between about 1990 though 1993, the manufacturers marks switched from -V- to -VE-, -VF-, VF, and -VG-. By this time, all patent pending and/or patent numbers were again gone from the ratchets. Based on my experience, ratchets with the -VE- and -VG- manufacturers marks are somewhat more difficult to find than those with the -V-, -VF- or VF marks. Hope I didn't confuse you!!

Jim C.