I'm assuming this is vintage.

[Rick B.]

So today I head out on a pawn shop tool crawl and I come upon a 1/4 drive Snap-On ratchet marked TM 70 B made in USA with a letter E just below the the bottom ring of the handle. The marked price was $19.oo.

I ask to check it out and find that it only works in one direction and just spins in the other. A little more fidgeting and it's fully locked and doesn't ratchet in either direction. The pawn girl tries it and agrees - broken. I make an offer of $5 and she gladly accepts. So I slide a fin across the counter and out the door I went! I get it home, open it up, give it a good cleaning and lube and now it sings beautifully with no broken or chipped teeth.

I've tried researching it but only find TM 70 B models listed as being made in Canada and no references to the letter E. The shape of the 7 seems to indicate the year 1977 but I can't be sure. Can anybody into these things provide anymore info?

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[d42jeep]

The date code is normally located between the on and off below the direction control. The E may indicate that it was exchanged at some point.
-Don

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Never seen one with an E like that usually it is with the rest of the writing on it


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[d42jeep]

Double post. Unable to delete.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They did have an exchange program for a time

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Nice score.

 

[Levaughn]

Looks like it might have a 1970 date code.

 

[RTM]

Good work in jamming it up tight, probably saved you $5 or more from just working one way.

 

[Rick B.]

Thanks, your input is much appreciated. However old it is I'm happy with it. I guess it isn't everyday that you run into a $5 Snap-On ratchet in extremely good condition.

 

[Rick B.]

Good work in jamming it up tight, probably saved you $5 or more from just working one way.

I'm sure you're probably right.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

5$ is a smoking deal

 

[Shiftless]

5$ is a smoking deal

to that

Your story reminds me of a half inch drive dual 80 snappy ratchet that I picked up for $10 because it slipped and skipped in either direction.
No matter how bad the guts are, a free rebuild kit will make it like new. And it did.

 

[d42jeep]

to that

Your story reminds me of a half inch drive snappy ratchet that I picked up for $10 because it slipped and skipped in either direction.
No matter how bad the guts are, a free rebuild kit will make it like new. And it did.

Speaking of smoking deals, how’s the smoke down home? We are coming down for a few days.
The date codes can be seen on many tools in this mixed 1/4” set including the ratchet.
-Don

 

[Honda guy]

I think that "E" indicates it was made for the military. Not 100% sure on that. I have a 3/8 ratchet and a 1/2 breaker bar that I picked up at the flea market, and they both have the military code stamped on them. No warranty on the military stuff, but my Snap On guy was nice enough to install a rebuild kit in the ratchet, at no charge.

Good score on your $5 ratchet by the way!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The e code is typically 44

 

[Shiftless]

Speaking of smoking deals, how’s the smoke down home? We are coming down for a few days.
The date codes can be seen on many tools in this mixed 1/4” set including the ratchet.
-Don

Mrs. Shiftless and I were up at Tahoe Donner for a few days last week...north of your place but not a great lot. The lake was really smoky. But back here in “town” it’s not bad. Air quality is moderate, measuring in the 50’s. It still smells like a fireplace everywhere and it will for a couple more weeks until the wild fires burn out.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Delete

 

[d42jeep]

Shiftless,
Thanks for the update. It’s been smoky off and on but today was perfect.
Here is a 1951 1/4” drive ratchet with the date code by the selector.
-Don

 

[MShaw]

E is definitely for an exchange unit. I have twi 3/8" drive ratchets from the early 1960s that had the original date stamps from the 1950s which were partly obliterated and restamped on the shanks with the E

 

[DadsTools]

I've seen a few conversations about this E. It was used for this E-xchange progam mentioned, which from what I could glean started in the 1960s.

However, the Collecting Snap-on site lists an E as a date code for 1944. I have yet to encounter a definitive explanation for distinguishing between the two. Perhaps someone can produce a WW2 example showing the difference.

On another point, the problem with ambiguous thread titles has been discussed from time to time. I actually have noticed an uptick in this recently on both the vintage and general tool forums, and I'm not the only one to note it. Not throwing stones, mind you, but ambiguous titles do not fully serve the purpose either of the OP or the forum. I know for myself I often skip these kinds of titles as being some irrelevant or vain topic. I'm still unclear as to the thinking behind such titles. It's almost like the poster doesn't want to reveal what his 'secret' is until you click through, or trying to make 'click bait' to appeal to someone's curiosity. I just don't know.

If it were me, and I wanted forum members to help identify a tool like this, I'd write something like, "Is this Snap-on Ratchet vintage?" I'd then attract exactly the members I'm looking for. Just come out and put it on the table.

It seems to be a growing phenomenon. Just sayin'

 

[d42jeep]

Since there was no exchange program during WW2, they just stamped the E on the side of the 1/4” ratchets. On 3/8” drive wartime sockets, it was stamped in the conventional location by the control lever.
-Don
Edit... oops, I meant to say 3/8” drive wartime ratchets.

 

[Shiftless]

GJ members such as Don and Lugz and others have such an amazing wealth of knowledge and depth of tool collections to illustrate just about any tiny bit of minutia. I am amazed almost every day as I surf around this site.

 

[DadsTools]

Since there was no exchange program during WW2, they just stamped the E on the side of the 1/4” ratchets. On 3/8” drive wartime sockets, it was stamped in the conventional location by the control lever.
-Don

Thanks Don! I never could get a definitive answer to this. When you say "3/8 sockets" do you mean the ratchet?

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks Don! I never could get a definitive answer to this. When you say "3/8 sockets" do you mean the ratchet?

Oops, I haven’t had my second cup of coffee yet. I meant 3/8” drive Ferret ratchets. Here is one. Thanks to Shiftless for the kudos.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

A little birdie told me to check this thread out.

Since the OP's ratchet was not made in the 1940's, I am confused why we're even talking about date code placement on midget ratchets during WWII. While most midget ratchets were date-coded in the selector switch area during that time, as Don alluded to, not all of them were. One of my wartime midget ratchets was date coded on the bottom of the handle with a "3" (1943).

But again, that topic is unnecessarily confusing, since the OP's ratchet is clearly a much later ratchet. That "E" is not a 1944 date code "E"; it is an Exchanged "E" just as Rick Joe and MShaw stated.

And the 1944 "E" date code does not serve the same purpose as the later (50's-80's) "E" codes used to indicate that a broken ratchet had been exchanged, usually for another previously broken and factory rebuilt ratchet.

(Tangentially, no definitive evidence has ever been found that spells out the meaning of the wartime "E" and "G" codes. The most popular theories relate the "E" to the "Emergency" term that the OEM (later the WPB) used for the early period of the war, which does not coincide with 1944, when we were in the "Victory" period. I am convinced there is a governmental meaning beyond Snap-on, however, as I have said before, a theory given much credecne by the almost lockstep correlation to the way Duro-Chrome marked its ignition set wrenches at this time, with an "E" prefix to the model numbers beginning in 1941 through 1944, switching to a "G" prefix in 1945.)

Contrary to popular yet erroneous belief, a mistake that not even modern Snap-on truck franchisees are immune to, the "E" and "G" codes on wartime ratchets do NOT indicate military production. ALL Snap-on tools made in 1944 (and, as some of us believe, mid- to late 1943), and 1945 have these date codes. There was no separate date code system to distinguish military from commercial and industrial tools production, and Snap-on indisputably produced tools for commercial and industrial markets during WWII.

 

[DadsTools]

A little birdie told me to check this thread out.

Since the OP's ratchet was not made in the 1940's, I am confused why we're even talking about date code placement on midget ratchets during WWII. While most midget ratchets were date-coded in the selector switch area during that time, as Don alluded to, not all of them were. One of my wartime midget ratchets was date coded on the bottom of the handle with a "3" (1943).

But again, that topic is unnecessarily confusing, since the OP's ratchet is clearly a much later ratchet. That "E" is not a 1944 date code "E"; it is an Exchanged "E" just as Rick Joe and MShaw stated.

And the 1944 "E" date code does not serve the same purpose as the later (50's-80's) "E" codes used to indicate that a broken ratchet had been exchanged, usually for another previously broken and factory rebuilt ratchet.

(Tangentially, no definitive evidence has ever been found that spells out the meaning of the wartime "E" and "G" codes. The most popular theories relate the "E" to the "Emergency" term that the OEM (later the WPB) used for the early period of the war, which does not coincide with 1944, when we were in the "Victory" period. I am convinced there is a governmental meaning beyond Snap-on, however, as I have said before, a theory given much credecne by the almost lockstep correlation to the way Duro-Chrome marked its ignition set wrenches at this time, with an "E" prefix to the model numbers beginning in 1941 through 1944, switching to a "G" prefix in 1945.)

Contrary to popular yet erroneous belief, a mistake that not even modern Snap-on truck franchisees are immune to, the "E" and "G" codes on wartime ratchets do NOT indicate military production. ALL Snap-on tools made in 1944 (and, as some of us believe, mid- to late 1943), and 1945 have these date codes. There was no separate date code system to distinguish military from commercial and industrial tools production, and Snap-on indisputably produced tools for commercial and industrial markets during WWII.

I'm always impressed with the way you dance, Lugz. Well thought out. Yeah, I see it.

I don't see anyone here having a 'discussion' about the E code on a 1/4 wartime ratchet. I asked if someone could show me a photo of a wartime E code to distinguish it from the later exchange code, as I had never personally seen one. I already knew there was a distinction (an awareness also seen from others in the thread), which is why I asked. Don obliged by showing me a 1/4 war ratchet and explaining where the mark would be on the larger sizes, both for which I'm grateful. This does not comprise a discussion about wartime codes on 1/4" ratchets, so there's no need to wonder further about that (kind of like offering a solution to a problem that doesn't exist). My question was motivated by the fact that I sincerely wanted to visually see the distinction, which Don graciously provided. I'd imagine that other readers may benefit as well.

Other posters also identified OP's ratchet as an exchange, so we're good there too. Thanks for adding your voice to that group.

I believe most of us use the dating chart from the authoritative Collecting Snap-on site to date the G and E wartime marks. While any authority can be mistaken (ANY authority, as you know), the community really has no other equally authoritative published reference to which to refer. I read your excellent study on debunking the AA dates for the Plomb lawsuit wrenches. Perhaps you might publish one on the SO G and E marks as well. I have no doubt it would be equally authoritative and a valuable contribution.

It's good to point out that the G and E markings do not indicate military contract tools. I'm not sure I recall anyone in other threads making that claim, certainly no one in this thread. I never got the impression these marks were for anything but tools sold in the public sector, either from the Collecting Snap-on site or from other GJ members posts, so I'm not sure how popular the notion is, though I can see how some might make this assumption.

As always, thanks again, Lugz.

 

[softailgarage]

I've always thought the "E' was issued in WWII, the ratchet I had from my father was. Could it be the 1/4" has a date class all its own? That certainly doesn't fit the 1940's style.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It's good to point out that the G and E markings do not indicate military contract tools. I'm not sure I recall anyone in other threads making that claim, certainly no one in this thread.

See Post #14. And if you really want to see more examples rather than take my word for it, search the site on "Snap-on warranty military" or some similar terms. Or read the Collecting Snap-on site's write-up on Snap-on warranties. Even it makes the same mistake. It is a very common misconception, in my experience, and pops up a few times per year here on GJ as well. So much so that I wrote a deep dive debunking on the subject on the Collecting Snap-on Forum, linked here. (Who the heck would want to try to replace a wartime ratchet with a modern one, is a whole 'nother subject...) But, like the question of whether there was a discussion about the "E" code upthread or not (I will gladly concede that posts #2, #3, #14, #15 and the first part of #20 confused the hell out of me and my small mind alone wrt the ratchet shown in post #1), I have no interest in debating whether it's a thing or not. Lastly, I **** at dancing.

 

[DadsTools]

See Post #14. And if you really want to see more examples rather than take my word for it, search the site on "Snap-on warranty military" or some similar terms. Or read the Collecting Snap-on site's write-up on Snap-on warranties. Even it makes the same mistake. It is a very common misconception, in my experience, and pops up a few times per year here on GJ as well. So much so that I wrote a deep dive debunking on the subject on the Collecting Snap-on Forum, linked here. (Who the heck would want to try to replace a wartime ratchet with a modern one, is a whole 'nother subject...) But, like the question of whether there was a discussion about the "E" code upthread or not (I will gladly concede that posts #2, #3, #14, #15 and the first part of #20 confused the hell out of me and my small mind alone wrt the ratchet shown in post #1), I have no interest in debating whether it's a thing or not. Lastly, I **** at dancing.

Hey, it just seemed you jumped into the thread gangbusters with this, almost felt like we were being scolded for something we didn't do. The military authority jumping in to take command of the rabble. I was scratching my head trying to figure out what triggered that? I had to respond.

I know you are passionate about your field of focus, and I do appreciate and respect that. I'm a bit more cavalier about the tools. We've bumped heads over this contrast before. None of this stuff is sacred to me. I have some tools I inherited from my Dad that have sentimental value. But beyond that, they're all just tools, just physical things. Interesting for sure, and a fertile field of study and collecting, but little more. Perhaps that counts me among the GJ Great Unwashed, but that's OK. I too have made my contributions to the Lexicon with comprehensive studies that filled in some knowledge gaps and debunked previously held misconceptions. So I believe I've earned at least a modicum of acknowledgement, but it's no cause to wield it like a club, nor look down my nose. Some will pay little mind to my work, no matter how scholarly, because it does not fall within their specific field of interest, just as it is in the case of militaria or other specialties. I wouldn't expect others to have uncommon interest in the subject just because it's my interest; on the contrary, some will pay it no mind precisely because it is me. I'm a guy who will say the emperor has no clothes, or the irreverent cowboy who will ask to "please pass the jelly" in a Polaner All Fruit commercial. Some folks don't like that.

I didn't notice what was said in post #14. My bad. But I really didn't think the confusion with the G and E was widespread. It always seemed to me that the CSO date code chart shows what the company stamped on its tools for each year's manufacture, nothing more. So I guess the notion that some would think those letters were strictly for military contracts never occurred to me, nor that the warranty issue would play into that. I really hadn't encountered that idea before. Apparently it is a common misconception. I don't collect Snap-on or WW2 tools, so I have limited exposure to them. Which is why I was asking for photos to see what the distinction was with the two different kinds of Es. I was certainly not looking for a debate!

I followed your link. Very solid and scholarly study, as I would have expected from you. Since I don't collect SO, I never looked at the forums on that site. Did you post the study on GJ as well? Seems like it would be appreciated if it were published here in GJ too.

"my small mind"....you're dancing again, Lugz. But I'd agree that dance step sucked; everyone knows that's not the case by any means. .

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Gangbusters? Contrast? Dads, I sincerely have no idea what you're talking about. If this was bumping heads, our sensitivity meters are set at way different frequencies, for I didn't even see anything to bump heads about! If you're reading any tone whatsoever in any of my posts on this thread, it's not intended. I try not to think too much about personalities here, or motivations, etc, let alone express those thoughts. Just adding my technical comments like anyone else. This whole exchange now has little or nothing to do with the original subject, about which I have nothing else to add.

Keep up the good work.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I’ll stir the pot a little bit more. I have chrome “G”s, so, late 1945? Certainly not military!

 

[d42jeep]

It seems as soon as the war ended, Snap-on started up with the chrome plating again. I have a Chrome Plated drag link bit with the G code. Looks like new.
-Don

 

[Ricky Joe]

Delete

 

[tom coffey]

Anytime there is a doubt whether a tool is vintage or not post it on here. If it's not "vintage enough" for this forum someone will let you know.