Info on Snap-On Ratchet 71-10

[Ralf11]

I have a 1/2" 71-10 ratchet handle and would like to find some info on it.

on the other side of the handle form the Model # stamp is a stamp for the Pat. which looks like it is 165451J but it's hard to tell since there is a lot of wear on it.

It has Phillips head screws holding the plate in, not slotted (tho they could have been replaced).

One thing is what year it is - I don't see a year code on it anywhere.

Any ideas?

http://www.collectingsnapon.com - doesn't seem to have any info on a ratchet this "new"

Thx!

 

[johninct]

I have both a 71-10 and 71-15. I got a kit from Snap-On this past winter for the 71-15. It needed a rebuild. It is either 32 or 36 teeth after the rebuild. I wanted more teeth for the 15" one. I am not going to update the 71-10 because it was my father's. I think he got it new in 1946 and the 20 teeth are fine for the shorter handle. I do not intend to ever get dual 80's in those sizes when the old ones work so good. Just turning the 20 tooth gear in the 71-10 feels so good. Firm but easy.

 

[Ralf11]

between On & Off there might be a 0, an O, or a diamond, or a barrel

 

[ganymede]

Sometimes they're on the handle and stamped so small they look like a chip or a small deep scratch at first glance.
Edit: i think thats a 1970 or 1980 date code.

 

[Samuel D]

The date code is slightly out of focus in the photo, but I think I’d make that 1988.

There’s a horizontal bar across the shape. We know it’s horizontal (so not 1970) because the orientation of the ON OFF marks tells us how to hold the tool while reading it (i.e. the orientation you show in the photo).

1980 doesn’t have the bar. You’d have to go back to 1940 to read the outer shape as a circle rather than a diamond, but then you’d have to explain why it’s less circular than the O of OFF.

Notice too that the corners of the Fs in OFF are rounded. That matches the rounded corners of the diamond.

 

[snapmom]

The 71-10 was only made in the 30s-40s. The date code on this one is 1942

 

[Samuel D]

The 71-10 was only made in the 30s-40s. The date code on this one is 1942

In that case, I guess you mean 1940? There’s a horizontal bar running through the middle.

Screws must have been changed at some point. Maybe the internals at the same time?

 

[snapmom]

If it was 40 the bar would be straight across, also the o would be round. So, it is still 1942

 

[Samuel D]

Well, I’ll defer to your amazing confidence on the matter.

 

[Ralf11]

The 71-10 was only made in the 30s-40s. The date code on this one is 1942

Thanks much!

 

[N_Jay]

Was just using my grandfathers 71.
I have to clean it up and see if I can find the date.
Guessing it is 30's to 50's
Was old when I got it in the 70's