Old Craftsman Ratchet Found

[MachineTech]

Can anyone identify the apprx. year of this old wreck? The top says CRAFTSMAN and the bottom says FORGED IN U.S.A. If there were any part #s they are gone now. I know I can exchange this, do I wan't to?

 

[v8garage]

It is a Craftsman made by Plomb. Probably from the 1940"s. The other 2 ratchets in the picture are war era Plomb. Same ratcheting mechanism.

 

[MachineTech]

Wow thanks, mine looks like the shiny one in your collection, 1/2 drive. The reverse lever on mine is broke though.

 

[lbgradwell]

I believe that to be a mid-1940s Plomb-manufactured ratchet. There was actually a thread within the past few days showing its similarities to the "Wright Field" Plombs manufactured during WWII.

I wouldn't trade it in, but my interests might be different than yours. Personally, I'd give that thing a good cleaning & use it or keep it as an oddity! You will see examples on eBay periodically (they are relatively rare) and they typically fetch ~$20.

EDIT: Right! It was v8garage's thread!

 

[billymade]

Page with similar ratchets: http://alloy-artifacts.com/plomb-gallery-p3.html
Yours looks like a good candidate for

http://www.evapo-rust.com/

 

[MachineTech]

Thanks everyone, unfortunatly I can't use use it because the reverse lever is broke and the drive just spins around (would love to though-impress the hell outta the guys at work). I guess I'll just hang onto it for relics sake.

 

[v8garage]

MachineTech,
The ratchets in the picture aren't mine, just some handy reference shots I found on e-bay a while back. The ratchets in the picture are 3/8". I have a 3/8" Craftsman ratchet just like the one in the picture that was my Dads. I would like to have a 1/2" to match it. If you ever decide to sell or trade yours just PM me.

 

[le6920]

I've got a 1/2 and 3/8 like that one. You are correct your lever is broken off- missing. It will be tough to get parts for it, but not impossible. I'd keep it for collecting sake.