To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Mystery Ratchet

A

A E Numan

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 10, 2012
Messages
234
Location
Portland Oregon
It's a 3/8" drive and it looks to be very well built. Can anyone tell me anything about the brand or the approximate time of manufacture?
 

Attachments

  • 038.jpg
    038.jpg
    128.9 KB · Views: 143
  • 032.jpg
    032.jpg
    146.1 KB · Views: 123
  • 037.jpg
    037.jpg
    134.8 KB · Views: 189
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
G

ganymede

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
2,332
Location
New England
I think it was made by Thorsen and they made it for Giller Tool Co .
For time frame (rough! ) I'd guess 60''s or 70s.
 
P

PowderKeg

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
961
Location
Little Rock, AR
Clueless on who or what " G T" was, but first thought on actual manufacturer is Thorsen - the same open style 3/8" ratchet model # was 77J for the Thorsen brand and 77JA for Thorsen's Action brand. Most of those open frame ratchet styles (from a handful of different manufacturers) originally came with a thin cover that snapped over the top to protect the gear/teeth - not uncommon for it to be missing.

Also clueless on a possible date - need to find out who "G T" was first - that could narrow it down. From what I've gleaned, Thorsen was fairly late entering the tool scene manufacturing the majority of their own tools (and not primarily distributing other brands/manufacturers as their earlier history suggests), like early 60's to the 80's or so.
 
OP
A

A E Numan

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 10, 2012
Messages
234
Location
Portland Oregon
Thank all of you for the information, the way the teeth protrude I doubt that it ever had a cover although it sure looks like it would be a good idea to keep the crud out of the work's. It will make a nice addition to the collection.
 
P

PowderKeg

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
961
Location
Little Rock, AR
lbgradwell said:
I'd say ganymede's guess of Giller Tool is a very good one, Keg, given that Thorsen actually was a known manufacturer of Giller stuff. I've never seen that logo before, but...
Click to expand...

Oh I don't mean to discount Gany's suggestion, it's just that all the Giller tools I've seen to date have been branded simply as "Giller". I've never seen this particular logo either, and a quick scan of AA's trademark and logo page yielded no results. Not surprising though, since it seems that so much "tool lore" and brand history has been lost over the years (or is waiting to be rediscovered).

Are there any Giller tool catalogs or adverts floating around? Could be that a thorough look-through might find an early logo hiding in a corner or the fine print somewhere...
 
S

shanny19

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2014
Messages
1,209
Location
PNW
PowderKeg said:
Are there any Giller tool catalogs or adverts floating around?
Click to expand...

I've never seen any evidence to suggest that Giller tools were available to the general public. Uncle Sam was the #1 customer, and maybe the only customer. Hopefully somebody can come along and prove me wrong.....
 
M

Mopar-Scooby-Doo

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
224
Location
Sonora Ca
Here is a couple that I have. The bottom one is a Thorsen like has been talked about, but the other is a P&C. Not trying to make anything more complicated. I just thought that the OPs had a Logo that reminded me of this.

 
M

Mopar-Scooby-Doo

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
224
Location
Sonora Ca
A E Numan said:
Mopar- Thank you! that picture make's the previous cover idea make sense.
Click to expand...

Your Welcome. There's just one thing. The one you have still doesn't look like it said P&C? I was just thinking it looks like the P&C one I have. Still not sure of yours?
 
Last edited:
T

twertsy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
6,726
Location
Reedville, VA
P&C and Indestro as well. Very similar to your ratchet.
 

Attachments

  • indestpandc.jpg
    indestpandc.jpg
    77.9 KB · Views: 39
  • indestpandc1.jpg
    indestpandc1.jpg
    149.8 KB · Views: 30
C

CNGsaves

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 26, 2012
Messages
13,233
Location
KS and OK
^ ^ ^ Mopar-Scooby Doo . . . . your mousepad is SO appropriate for you !!!

Priceless !!! :thumbup: . . . :beer: . . . :thumbup:
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
S

stormking

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2011
Messages
401
Thorsen made the ratchet pre WWII. They supplied the house brand of tools for General Tool (GT) in Portland Ore. General Tool is still selling tools in Portland but under different ownership. Both Thorsen and General tools have their roots in P&C. Nice find of a very rare tool Numan. Did you find it at the Swap Meet? The early ones did not have a gear cover.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
OP
A

A E Numan

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 10, 2012
Messages
234
Location
Portland Oregon
Ell said:
Thorsen made the ratchet pre WWII. They supplied the house brand of tools for General Tool (GT) in Portland Ore. General Tool is still selling tools in Portland but under different ownership. Both Thorsen and General tools have their roots in P&C. Nice find of a very rare tool Numan. Did you find it at the Swap Meet? The early ones did not have a gear cover.
Click to expand...

I found the ratchet among my father in law's tools about 15 years ago. I gave it to my son at some point, I don't remember when. We did go to the Swap Meet but I didn't find any tool's I wanted- or could afford. On the way home my son reminded me about the ratchet so I thought I would show it to the expert's. Thanks for the lesson.
 
S

stormking

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2011
Messages
401
Thank you, but even though I have a small collection of early Thorsen and General Tool pieces I can't take credit for this info. Most of the credit belongs to a very knowledgeable tool aficionado I'll just call Mr.X.
 
P

PowderKeg

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
961
Location
Little Rock, AR
Ell said:
Thorsen made the ratchet pre WWII. They supplied the house brand of tools for General Tool (GT) in Portland Ore. General Tool is still selling tools in Portland but under different ownership. Both Thorsen and General tools have their roots in P&C. Nice find of a very rare tool Numan. Did you find it at the Swap Meet? The early ones did not have a gear cover.
Click to expand...

lbgradwell said:
Well done! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Ell said:
Thank you, but even though I have a small collection of early Thorsen and General Tool pieces I can't take credit for this info. Most of the credit belongs to a very knowledgeable tool aficionado I'll just call Mr.X.
Click to expand...

Yes, great piece of info! Little surprised the ratchet dates that far back. Figured the design was an early one, but didn't think about Thorsen producing much more than basic wrenches that early. Only bummer is that there's another tool brand to add to the obsess... er, collection list to watch for...

Tell Mr. X thanks too, and keep him on the speed dial, could be of great help with many more tool mysteries...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom