Hand Tools Ltd - Ratchet

[Stubby1743]

I have this 1/2" drive ratchet handle made by "Hand Tools Ltd, Dronfield" Dronfield is just south of Sheffield.

I have not seen any other tools made by the company and I can't find any information on the WWW about it.

The ratchet is a basic low tooth count type but seems well made. The end of the head has a plain lubrication hole without the usual spring-loaded sealing ball.

The handle is dated 1965 and the UK Govt broad arrow mark has been neatly ground off. Has anyone got any info. on the company?




about the company?

 

[Dave455]

The only other tools I’ve seen from “Hand Tools Ltd” were very similar ratchets, also from government contracts, dated 60’s or early 70’s.

Saw quite a few turning up in surplus places around the 90’s.

I think I’d agree with you, well enough made, but unexciting.

Although there is a lot of information on the internet generally, it’s very poor at “historical” things, especially things that were predominantly “pre internet”.

The best sources of information on tool companies, particularly Sheffield ones, are usually the trade directories, but I don’t even know if they are online.

 

[RTM]

The best sources of information on tool companies, particularly Sheffield ones, are usually the trade directories, but I don’t even know if they are online.

there is some Sheffield catalogs online at our favorite source, and if you know names, you might find more.

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

Another book I recently got a copy of is talked about here

Book review - Directory of Sheffield Tool Manufacturers

There can't be many people - if any - who know more about the industrial history of Sheffield than Geoffrey Tweedale. He's already published the definitive guides to knives and cutlery and now he has produced a comprehensive encyclopedia of toolmakers, the snappily titled "Directory of Sheffield...

www.ukworkshop.co.uk

It’s a Print on Demand book, so you don’t necessarily need to pay for shipping overseas, mine came from N Carolina.

Directory of Sheffield Tool Manufacturers 1740-2018

This is the most comprehensive directory of the Sheffield tool industry ever compiled. It contains over 700 histories of makers of files and rasps, woodworking tools, sickles and scythes, shears, measuring instruments, and engineers’ and machine tools. • Famous names such as Spear & Jackson...

www.lulu.com

One of my buddies gifted a copy to an almost housebound friend, he was quite grateful.

 

[four.cycle]

another source:

Sheffield History - Sheffield Memories

Sheffield history forums talking all things Sheffield from when you were growing up. Photos of Sheffield places and people from Sheffield's history.

www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk