Howdy Brian,
Craftsman ratchets are my thing.
First, I'd be careful when referring these as a part of the "C-Series" of ratchets, as the ******** collectors typically reserve that name for the earliest Craftsman ratchets: CF-87, C-97, C-98.
Your ratchet falls into the nexus of what some call the BE & Circle H "Boxhead" style ratchet family. This is one of the most complicated families of Craftsman ratchets that existed. The family was first introduced, not in its entirety, in 1935 and ended in 1948.
The specific ratchet you have was a part of a special collection within the Craftsman brand. Uniquely, this special collection wasn't even depicted directly within the Sears Catalog, but it was a part of a Craftsman Mechanics Brochure. The "amber handle" ratchets, in their various forms, were first available in 1939.
Your ratchet was first depicted in the 1941 brochure for the brand. The only way you could obtain the ratchet through buying for $26.50 the "48 Piece De Luxe Socket Set" and/or for $95.00 called the "Master De Luxe 125 Piece Socket Wrench Set". The same sets were offered a year later for $33.50 and $115.00 respectively.
After that, the "amber handle" variants were believed to have been discontinued after 1942 due to WW2 rationing.
I've done an analysis on the plastic handle, but I don't have the information in front of me. I remember it wasn't butyl acetate but a variant.
These pieces are HIGHLY sought after. Finding examples in even decent condition are difficult to find. There are two ratchets within this family that are NEVER discussed, which I will take the initiative to do so when I release the corresponding video about these ratchets.
