Lets make an all vintage Snap-on tool picture thread!

[redtop]

Thank you for the info, snapmom. Have you seen other tools marked with the U.S. mark similar to the one marked on the A2 adapter in my previous post (second image)? Is the U.S. mark commonly found on Snap On tools?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Most of the E G date codes were made for the military, but some were sold to the public

This is the only minor point I will disagree with snapmom on. ALL Snap-on tools were marked with an "E" or a "G" from late 1943 to 1945, regardless of the customer. The date codes do not indicate military or even primarily military (and most definitely do not indicate no warranty, a separate but unfortunately too common issue). Snap-on did not have one set of codes (e.g., "E" and "G") for military sales and another set of codes for commercial/industrial sales, and, believe it or not, their commercial/industrial sales dwarfed their military sales at that time. I wrote a very long and substantiated argument on this topic on the CollectingSnap-on.com website forum, with the explicit purpose of vetting my argument for Frank to update the site, which tends to perpetuate the myth about the warranty. That update has not yet happened. Linked here.

Is the U.S. mark commonly found on Snap On tools?

That is a martial proprietary marking. I don't recall seeing it on Snap-on tools, but it is quite common on wartime tools in general, especially but not limited to, Crescent pliers and Plumb hammers. Some (maybe most) of them seem to have been applied after the tools left the factory, by either a contracting agency or a receiving agency or unit; others were clearly stamped at the factory. The theory is early war, when there were mfgrs, believe it not, who were still not applying a COO marking on tools. But, confoundingly, some of the martial marks are made on tools that already have a COO marking, as if they were just one of many in a long line of tools being stamped and not even bothering to ascertain if it already bears a COO mark or not.

 

[redtop]

Thank you for the info, Lugz.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a G marked drag link bit made in 1945 after the chrome restrictions ended. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t made for the military.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Right. But, just so people don't take that the wrong way because of the chrome-plating, unless there is some paperwork or other form of provenance included, there is no way to distinguish whether or not a Snap-on tool or set of tools without chrome-plating (no finish, cadmium finish, or phosphate finish) marked with an "E" or "G" was military or not. All tools made in late 1943, 1944, and 1945 were date coded the same way, and Snap-on sold orders of magnitude more tools to the commercial and industrial sectors than the military.

 

[snapmom]

And these too.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice non-sparker

 

[d42jeep]

This one is a maybe, then.
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

This 1940s K-77 Coaster Cab turned up on Facebook marketplace last night in Canton, MI I have no affiliation to the seller

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/208140663844721/?surface=product_details

 

[rallenc]

I have found that Snap On tools with two date codes are scarce, and tools with three or more of them are very scarce. If you have any Snap On tools with multiple date codes, please post pics of them here. I would like to see them.

I own a 3/4 F70N ratchet with two date codes: 1945 and 1946.

Here are pics of a 3/4 F71C ratchet with three date codes. It is currently listed for sale on ebay. It's not mine. The 1958 date code is stamped over the 1957 date code under the selector switch on the head of this ratchet. The 1963 date appears on the body. Here is a link to the ebay listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-3-8-ratchet-F-71-C-lot-CG/303417094570 According to the collectingsnapon website, the F71C was manufactured 1953-1958.

If you are referring to the "E" on the shaft, I do not think that is a date code. In the old days, 1980's, SnapOn drivers would give you an :Exchange" ratchet rather than rebuilding yours. All such ratchets were marked with the "E" on the shaft.

 

[snapmom]

here is a Canada Loaner ratchet, model F710DL , made in Canada, no date code, I think the Canada dealers loaned these out while the broke one was sent to the factory. The F710D was made in the 70s.
This one was in bad shape, I have semi restored it.

 

[redtop]

If you are referring to the "E" on the shaft, I do not think that is a date code. In the old days, 1980's, SnapOn drivers would give you an :Exchange" ratchet rather than rebuilding yours. All such ratchets were marked with the "E" on the shaft.

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your sharing your knowledge.

 

[redtop]

here is a Canada Loaner ratchet, model F710DL , made in Canada, no date code, I think the Canada dealers loaned these out while the broke one was sent to the factory. The F710D was made in the 70s.
This one was in bad shape, I have semi restored it.

I have seen very few images of Snap On tools marked with the word "LOANER." Thank you for posting a pic of your ratchet. It looks very nice.

 

[redtop]

Every now and then while performing a search for tools on ebay, I see an image that brings a smile to my face, such as this one. The seller wants close to $100.00, with shipping, for this group of five (5) well worn, experienced, rusty, crusty Blue Point Boxockets. Personally, I wouldn't pay 50 cent for any one of those neglected, decrepit wrenches. As a group, however, those vintage wrenches look great lined up on the bedliner of that truck. Am I the only one on GJ who sees the beauty in this pic?

I welcome you to share your favorite tool pics here.

 

[redtop]

Here is a pic of a vintage Snap On socket with an interesting owner's mark. It's a heart.

Does anyone else have a Snap On tool with an interesting owner's mark?

Please post your pics here.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That is an unusual one

 

[Private Lugnutz]

He really loved his tools. Snerk.

 

[Rickster]

Sorting through all my 1/4dr stuff in the garage today. Found these two gems; 15/32 and a 1/8. The 15/32 is the drive slightly larger than the 1/4. Was that a military thing? The 1/8 is regular 1/4dr but I don’t remember seeing one of these before.

The two adapters are the larger 1/4dr (F) to standard 1/4dr (M). Didn’t even know I had these in the drawer.

 

[Provincial]

9/32 is the drive size you are thinking of.

 

[MShaw]

I don't remember if I have posted this before. I checked the catalogs on the Collecting Snapon site and it first appeared in the 1962 catalog. That is the year I bought it.

 

[outofbounds]

Found this Ferret F-10-H "Nut Spinner" (breaker bar) in an odd lot purchase. It bears a G on the shaft which seems to indicate Government Issue, rather than any specific date. Is there an age range this would fall into? Is it reasonable to claim it as "war era"? Any insights are always appreciated.

 

[misterbill]

Found this Ferret F-10-H "Nut Spinner" (breaker bar) in an odd lot purchase. It bears a G on the shaft which seems to indicate Government Issue, rather than any specific date. Is there an age range this would fall into? Is it reasonable to claim it as "war era"? Any insights are always appreciated.

OoB, this comes up quite often (see previous page https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8413077&postcount=2251 with Snapmom's post) but to cut to the chase it's 1945.

Bill

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Typically that's considered 1945

 

[redtop]

This 1/2 drive Snap On tool has no date mark. It was listed for sale on ebay as a connector, link, extender. I have a few questions about it. Does anyone know when Snap On made it? Are similar Snap On tools commonly found for sale? How do I use it, i.e. what specific 1/2 drive tools do I join with it?

 

[r_olson_06]

This 1/2 drive Snap On tool has no date mark. It was listed for sale on ebay as a connector, link, extender. I have a few questions about it. Does anyone know when Snap On made it? Are similar Snap On tools commonly found for sale? How do I use it, i.e. what tools do I join with it?

It is part of the older extensions that had a square shank. It is 1920s.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[redtop]

Thank you for letting me know.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is one all in one piece

 

[redtop]

Thank you for posting the pics, OTG.

 

[bmwrd0]

Picked these up on the 'bay, surprisingly cheap.

I bought it for the 10Ca that I need for my nutspinner set, but I was surprised that the long extension wasn't an impact, but a 5/8's drive from the 30's.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks like a 33 date code

 

[redtop]

If anyone has for sale the missing piece to my 1920's Snap On 1/2 square drive extension, please contact me.

 

[snapmom]

Some Nxxxx rats. For the most part,( except for at least the N5895) the N series of rats were made special industrial users eg. railroad

N2949, 1/2 dr. no date code, has brads and not screws, has brass selector switch, has oil port in head, has post 40s logo that looks 60s. it is a hard one to date, my guess is 50s.

N2949A ? 1/2 dr. has what looks like a 87 date code, but nothing on this looks 87. There hare no factory markings on the rat, just the socket. Has brads for faceplate, has brass selector switch, has oil port, logo looks 40s. socket is bradded on. clearly a scaffold rat. my guess is 50s

 

[snapmom]

N6108. scaffold rat. 1/2 dr. 58 code. has 7/8 wrench built in. has oil port. faceplate screws, prob forerunner to the B3408 rat.

 

[snapmom]

N3310. made from a L715. 1/2 dr. 52 code. has a nice offset. oil port. It is one of my users.

 

[snapmom]

N6571, has a 7/8 hex head drive. 32 teeth, no date code probably 80s. have no clue as to use. sometimes you see this converted to 1/2 drive.

 

[snapmom]

N5895. 1/2 spud rat. This one shows up in the late 70s cats. has no date code. In the early 80s the model number was changed to GS712.

 

[snapmom]

N8281, N8230 Schwinn rats. 3/8 and 1/4 drive. the 1/4 has a 67 code, the 3/8 has none. There might have been a 1/2, but I have not seen one. the 1/4 is hard to find.

 

[redtop]

Thank you for posting pics of your impressive Nxxx tools, snapmom. I like your Schwinn rats and the N3310 offset rat.

 

[redtop]

I own a 1/2 offset breaker bar that, because of the bend, somewhat resembles the No. 1 breaker bar Snap On manufactured in the 1920's. If it did not have the bend, my breaker bar would closely resemble the breaker bars Snap On manufactured during the 1940's. My breaker bar is 16" long. It is marked R-34 - Made in U.S.A. - ALLOY. Does anyone know who made it?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I suspect that is a hinge handle (colloquially, "breaker bar") that has been bent, redtop. I don't recognize it or the model number off the top of my head. That Snap-on Offset No. 1 handle is very late 20's. The earliest version had a straight shank and the drive stud was in a head that was fixed on the end of the shank at a 90* angle.