Goofy wright 1/2 ratchet identification

[JohnDeere]

Does anyone know what model this wright ratchet is? Selector moves side to side. The ratchet has “41+” stamped in it as well as “N52”.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

N52 from 1941

 

[JohnDeere]

I still cant find anything about it, do you have it shown in a catalog somewhere?

 

[misterbill]

OTG is correct. Wright catalogs are few and far between, though. It seems like Wright was iterating quickly on ratchet designs during the early 1940s. N50, N51, N52 came along in quick succession. Not sure (yet) if there was anything between N52 and N60 (which seems to have been Wright's design during WWII). Follow along in the Vintage Wright - Share It Here thread for all the latest developments and discoveries!

 

[JohnDeere]

Figured I would post this, in case someone needs it. I found a random ball bearing inside that was preventing the ratchet from being completely put together.

 

[joel_400]

I'm guessing that mystery ball is part of the detent mechanism for the directional selector. Probably popped out of position when you disassembled it. Lucky it didn't dissappear! I've lost more than one from the hundreds of ratchets I've torn apart. Fortunately I've been able to talk the Snap on man into letting me clean his ratchet repair bench off a few times. Some of the small pieces/parts I've accumulated from that are life savers for old ratchets!
Joel

 

[JohnDeere]

The ball inside was too large for the ratchet to be completely back together, no matter where I put it. So I didn’t put it back at all, and the ratchet worked fine.

 

[Kevin J.]

There is a significant difference between spare parts, extra parts, and stray parts. Nothing quite like finding a nut, spring, retaining clip, etc. to spoil your day.