Help identify? - Vintage King **** Ratchet / Socket set

[kez]

Hi I picked this king **** ratchet / socket set up from a garage sale in Australia, Sydney about a week ago. I cannot seem to find any info on this 6 piece socket set except the inscription "King ****' along the handle and 'British Made' other.
Is this a rare tool? any information would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks,
K

 

[dutchgray]

I have never seen one, it must be pretty old as its a hex drive set and "British made", not "Made in England" as it would be now.
King **** are one of the few British tool makers that still make tools here.
What sizes are the sockets, Whitworth, Imperial or Metric?

 

[Farmer J.]

That's a strange and wonderful old ratchet and set, never seen one like it, must be old.
How about asking King ****? http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/
Welcome to the forum Kez

 

[kez]

What sizes are the sockets, Whitworth, Imperial or Metric?

Whitworth 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2W

 

[Musicinabottle]

That's a cool looking set. Even the ratchet doubles as an extension. Awesome!

 

[Stadger]

A ratchet set named after me!!!

 

[kez]

How about asking King ****? http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/

So I've emailed king **** tools and am waiting for a response, as soon as I've heard from them I'll post the reply.

 

[kez]

So I got a reply from King **** about the mystery origins of the ratchet set, strange thing is it sounds like they have know idea when it was made or history. I believe the ratchet is older than 1950's but I'm no expert.

Please tell me your thoughts about what year you think ratchet was made?

King ****'s response email...


Dear Kez

Thank you for your email regarding the King **** Ratchet set.

On looking at the pictures we estimate the item to be dated around the late 1950’s, early 1960’s.

At the time this was not a popular item, so it is reasonably rare, however, in saying that, it is not so desirable as it is not so well known.

This item uses a hexagonal drive for attachments, which was a fore-runner to the now traditional Square Drive Sockets as still in use today.

Thank you again for informing us of your recent find.

Kind regards

Jane Roberts

King **** Tools