Old Blue Point combination wrenches

[Packard V8]

Here are some of the older pre-Snap-On Blue Point wrenches which came in the big old box I bought a month ago.

The logos have changed over the years.

As with the angle open ends, they flipped the logo as well as changing.

This one may be a "war-finish" as there was no polishing, no chrome at all and the logo is cast in instead of stamped. Anyone know anything about it?

This is another version of the Blue Point logo.

and yet a third version.

I'd like to find the smaller wrenches to finish out the set, but I almost never see Blue Point for sale.

thnx, jack vines

 

[snapmom]

Most of them are 40s, the raised one may be late 30s.

 

[snapmom]

ps: a very nice set, as good or better than anything you can buy today.

 

[Packard V8]

Is there a definitive date when the Snap-On logo began to be used on the OEX wrenches?

How about a date when the OEX series combinations became the B series? And what was the difference which necessitated the change in nomenclature?

thnx, jack vines

 

[krusty the clown]

they started labling the oex wrenches snap on in 1948. the oexb wrenches are slighly longer and have the size on the beam of the wrench.

 

[snapmom]

Blue point oex started in 35

 

[snapmom]

opps, 1934

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I wish I could find gems like them out here

 

[Packard V8]

Thanks for the dates, everyone.

the oexb wrenches are slighly longer

I meant when were the OEX changed to the current BO nomenclature and what is the difference?

I wish I could find gems like them out here

FWIW, I've gone thirty-five years between my two major Snap-On scores. Other than those two, it's been a piece here, a piece there.

I haven't seen enough old Blue Point wrenches traded to have any idea of the market. Opinions please, if an Snap-On OEX or BO combination wrench is worth $X, an older OEX Blue Point in equivalent condition is worth $X+/-?

thnx, jack vines



thnx, jack vines

 

[krusty the clown]

BO? they are still oex.

 

[Packard V8]

I guess my confusion comes in because doesn't the current line of Blue Point combination wrenches have a BO prefix? So, try this; in 1948 what was Blue Point OEX became Snap-On OEX. When did they re-introduce the Blue Point BO combinations? Are these the infamous off-shores which have given Blue Point a bad name among the younger crowd?

thnx, jack vines

 

[krusty the clown]

the imported blue point line is recent. and they are blpcwxxx.

the snap on oex was the replacement for the bluepoint oex. snap on bought the supplier of the wreches and just changed the stamping.

 

[ryan_289]

Ive got a Blue Point 1 1/16" wrench that has the same logo as the 2nd to last pic. What vintage is that one? Also, if for some reason it was to break, what does snap on replace it with?

 

[Packard V8]

Hi, Ryan,

That one is 1951. Has anyone ever asked Snap-On to warranty a Blue Point that old?

thnx, jack vines

 

[Packard V8]

Just bought another old Blue Point with a logo design I hadn't seen before. Can anyone date this?

thnx, jack vines

 

[krusty the clown]

Just bought another old Blue Point with a logo design I hadn't seen before. Can anyone date this?

thnx, jack vines

 

[Packard V8]

What's with the icons?

thnx, jack vines

 

[krusty the clown]

What's with the icons?

thnx, jack vines

when i saw you pic last night it was just the dreaded red X

 

[Packard V8]

Krusty, That's really ********* GJ - up after midnight on a Friday night doing photo nazi recon ;>)

Now, what about the date range on that Blue Point?

thnx, jack vines

 

[krusty the clown]

i'd guess early 40's but chad or snapmom could tell you for sure.

 

[fleetline]

Jack,
The Blue Point / Snap-on OEX series of combination wrenches first debuted in the 1934 catalog. They were offered in 3 sizes 1/2, 9/16, & 5/8. By 1937 the OEX series expanded to 7/16- 11/4. Around 1948 Snap-on stamped its name on the OEX line and went with a higher grade chrome finish.

The 30's vintage OEX series combination wrenches I believe all have the raised lettering. Some even have date codes, however it seems that most do not!! I feel the stamped lettered Blue Point OEX wrenches like you pictured came out around 1940. Their are different variations of the stampings.

I have a very complete set of the early raised letter Blue Point OEX combination wrenches lacking only the OEX-16 1/2. I would love to find it someday! I suppose that was the most used size in the set. I also have several of the stamped Blue Point wrenches also. They all seem to have date codes in the 40's.

There is also a shorter version OEX line that started early back in the mid 30's. For example the 1/2 would be OEX-160.
Mike