Date code on Snap-on MV71 and FV71 ??

[Packard V8]

Greetings, GJers,

Yesterday, I acquired a couple of Snap-on ratchets in very good condition, considering they're probably pretty old.

However, I looked closely and can't find a date code on either the 1/4"dr MV71 or the 3/8"dr FV71. Were they coded and where should I look? What are these worth in VG condition? They do have faint owner engraving.

thnx, jack vines

 

[snapmom]

They are military rats, probably from the 60s

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

They are military rats, probably from the 60s

How do you tell? How long was this style of ratchet (if different model numbers) made?

 

[Packard V8]

Thanks for the info. Was expecting them to be from the '30s, but considering the condition, '60s is more like it. Any estimate as to what they go for these days?

thnx, jack vines

 

[snapmom]

You can tell they are military from the model number. The second letter is a V , so just about all the military tools from the 60-70s era have that V as a second letter in the model number, many have no date codes.. Value is hard to tell, somewhere from 15-70 depends on the day. These are nice to use, sort of stubby, can get into some small places, worth keeping.

 

[Packard V8]

Any idea why the MilSpec ratchets were made in the old design so many years after Snap-on went to the round handle?

BTW, just cleaned and lubed these and apart from some minor chrome peeling on the bottom cover plate, they look like new.

thnx, jack vines

 

[caper]

These were still available from snap on until recently.

 

[andy10ec]

I was a Snap-on dealer for a while back in the 70's. You will find a lot of tools, military and commercial, that were not date coded in the 70's decade. We were told "We're warranteeing them forever, so why date them?" Then in the 80's they started dating them again.

 

[wcleveland]

How do tell military issue snap on tools from regular tools? I was told a tool set I have is military issue and is not covered by snap on warranty.

 

[snapmom]

Most military tools from this era, would have a V in the model number, like FV-71 or SV, there are exceptions to this rule. Most of the tools in like 44-45 are military, but have the same models numbers as reg. stock. I have not had a problem with dealers replacing or reparing military tools.

 

[A29]

I've got a pair just like em. Got em in about 1969 and were not new then. Just Air Force tool issue. Still use em.

 

[Packard V8]

Just used the 1/4" yesterday to get a torx where a driver wouldn't fit

 

[snapmom]

They are nice rats to have, stubby, but not to stubby. I use mine all the time.

 

[mrshaun]

I am not allowed to send back military tools. they get sent back to me and I lose the money for the tool that I give out. now the government rep is a good friend so I just send everyone to him

 

[BigE]

My father has the FV71. The selector backed out and disappeared into the garage abyss. I can't find parts on snap on's website. Are there any parts available?

 

[hoston23]

Bump

 

[SCscoutguy]

Bump

Why are you bumping a 5 year old thread?

 

[MB-TH]

Hi, everyone.
Allow me to dig this old thread back to live.

I've found his FV71 at local store.



I've never bought used Ratches before
But now I'm a GJ member..LOL

Is this rusty item can be cleaned?
How much should I pay?

 

[davethorik]

I'd recommend a cleaning with hot soapy water and a stiff brush/steel wool (after disassembly). Those ratchets aren't worth very much in the states, that might be different in Thailand.

 

[AngryBeaver]

how about the F71M in 3/8? it doest have a V in the part number and no date on either....

I think if they are military the MV or M after the part number would make sense... for military version or not....

I probably overpaid, thinking they were much older, but the 1/4 is literally like new. the backing plate is also chrome, which I've never seen before. and the letting is raised, not stamped. you can tell me its from the 60's or 80's, but I would think a raised logo would be much older

 

[J.A.F.E.]

The F71M is not military and you'll find in the cats. The M does not designate military it designates the revision level.

The MV71 is military. That is determined by the V.

It's not the design that made it military it was the contract between whatever government entity that issued the PO and SO. Those tools are not warranted. The original ratchets Snap-on made were very similar in design and were made for the civilian market into the 80's or 90's - maybe even later.

There are also round handled ratchets that are military like these - MV70 and MV70L

 

[AngryBeaver]

awesome. thanks for the info.

are rebuild kits available for them? or is that something that has been long discontinued?

 

[wafrederick]

The military tools have a dull finish and no lines machined in the sockets and extensions too.The Snap On dealer in my area told me dealers get a bill from Snap On if they get caught warrantying a tool that was made for the military

 

[george4]

awesome. thanks for the info.

are rebuild kits available for them? or is that something that has been long discontinued?

I think there is a thread listing kits for those but I can not put my finger on it.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Do the sockets have a V in the model# also designating they were made for the military
?

 

[wafrederick]

Do the sockets have a V in the model# also designating they were made for the military
?

Yes they do,All the tools Snap On made for the military have a V in the part number

 

[mikebaker1129]

^ Thanks !

 

[gda659]

awesome. thanks for the info.

are rebuild kits available for them? or is that something that has been long discontinued?

I bought rebuild kits on eBay that worked for the 1/4" and 3/8" drive ratchets. Google what works with each one. That worked for me.

 

[Packard V8]

I began this thread nine years ago and just this week a friend gave me another FV71 he found in a pile of scrap. It's in very good condition, so now I've got three of them.

jack vines

 

[PharaohXJ]

rkra930a is the rebuild kit for the FV71 & MV71 1/4"

 

[george4]

rkra930a is the rebuild kit for the FV71 & MV71 1/4"

Need a different kit # for the FV71?

 

[toolcollector109]

Yeah I think it RKRA380 for the 3/8” drive but you should double check that.

Question: if these V ratchets are made “for the military”, how come they are not marked govt property and how do they end up in random tool boxes at yard sales or in tool lots on eBay from private sellers? Can civilians own them?

 

[MikeClary]

How do you tell? How long was this style of ratchet (if different model numbers) made?

I have a MV 71 and contacted snap-on warranty yesterday and they said they were military issue and could not be warrantied, but did say the MV 71 was from the 1940's era...

 

[MikeClary]

Thanks for the info. Was expecting them to be from the '30s, but considering the condition, '60s is more like it. Any estimate as to what they go for these days?

thnx, jack vines

 

[Schurkey]

Question: if these V ratchets are made “for the military”, how come they are not marked govt property and how do they end up in random tool boxes at yard sales or in tool lots on eBay from private sellers? Can civilians own them?

Sold at "Government Surplus" auctions and/or "lost" out of the Motor Pool or hanger, and "found" in retired military member's garages.

 

[Steve721]

I just happened to be looking at date codes on my Snap On tools recently, and didn’t find one on my FV71. I did discover, from this forum, that it was a ratchet made for the military. I never knew this. I’ve owned mine for about 20+ years. Nice size ratchet and I use it all the time. I bought it off the Snap On truck for $5.00. Now reading about how Snap On won’t warranty this piece, should it break, that’s probably why he wanted it off the truck. Thanks everyone for the info on this ratchet.

 

[Car hobby]

My father worked for Southern Airways, a helicopter school at Fort Wolters, outside Mineral Wells, Texas for years until the base closed. He had a 3/8 drive FV71 Snap-On ratchet in his rollaway for years. It was military issue and the on/off selector switch was missing. He still kept it all these years. After reading that SO would not warranty military issued tools makes sense why he never replaced it. I decided to order the RKRA380 kit and get it back in service. It works as smooth as butter. I imagine Daddy is smiling from heaven.