Help with identifying Snap On ratchet

[MercLSU]

I picked up (what appears to be) an older Snap On 3/4" drive ratchet this afternoon, but can't seem to make sense of it. It appears to be an L72 variant. There's no logo or part number on the head, but what looks to be a Snap On date code (1960) on the selector.

Overall it's 32" long. The handle does have the Snap On logo with a part number that appears to be N6458. The N, 6, 5, and 8 look pretty clear. The 4 is pretty fuzzy. The head does not appear to be removable, and the handle attachment to the head looks factory, unless it was welded up and then re-plated.

So what do I have here? I've tried the part number above and variants of it, and have gotten zero hits anywhere. I appreciate anybody who has any input on it.

 

[nine4gmc]

L72 variant imo. Lets see what the pro's say.

 

[MercLSU]

I thought you were the pro? That's why I brought it to you first

 

[nine4gmc]

I'm closer to a "Pittsburgh pro" than a "just about anything else you can think of pro". Like a jackoff all trades, masterbater of none type of guy if you will.

 

[snapmom]

It is a special. Maybe railroad. Looks like a 60 date code.

 

[MercLSU]

Thanks snapmom! I looked through the Snap On catalog for 1960 and didn't see anything, but that's not surprising.

Any clue as to its value, or would it likely be in line with L72s in similar condition? I'm a tool hoarder but the 3/4" drive stuff I already have just sits in the drawer, and this one won't even fit.

 

[jakemac]

It may have been part of a special order batch for a specific customer, or industry. As you said, railroad is a possibility. Oil or shipbuilding might be another. Somewhere where dropping the head off the handle would cause a safety hazard or an excessive amount of work to recover it.

 

[MercLSU]

Thanks y'all, much more helpful than Nine!

It looks like I'll never 100% know its origin, but great to know some possibilities.

 

[bluebolt]

Like Snapmom says it's a special, I have noticed Snap On tools part numbers that start with "N" are often not in the catalogs. Value in my opinion would be less than the normal L72 stuff since the handle is not removable.

 

[3baygarage]

Interesting find Merc. I love seeing what all is out there. I agree with all above, special made per request.