old ratchet

[Stevedore]

Can anyone offer a guess as to when this Craftsman ratchet may heve been made? I'm assuming the "BE" stamped/engraved into it may have been an original owner's initials?

It was my fathers; he died in 1987, and I inherited a lot of his tools. His first career was as a car mechanic, starting in the 1930's, so he had a lot of old tools. I've always been sort of an amateur "car guy", and had accumulated a lot of my own tools, but I always enjoy using some of his old tools as well. My sister & her husband have some of them, and I've passed a lot onto my sons.

Thanks!

 

[MalibuLX3]

Hmmm, I've never seen one like that before. I'm sure someone on here has and will hopefully chime in soon.

BTW, welcome to Garage Journal!

 

[Kirbot]

BE was from the factory.
Just like later tools were marked with -v-, =v=, -vv- or any one of quite a few markings.

I can't remember when BE was used though.
If I had to take a guess, I'm thinking early 1940, but I'm sure somebody will be along soon who can answer more definitely.

 

[Kirbot]

Btw, I used to have a ratchet just like that that was badged "New Britain".

I believe they were the company that made them for Craftsman.

 

[BiltFordTuff]

i have one of these it is stamped with the "BE" too. They were stamped with the "BE" or the "H circle" which is a H in a circle. My dad has one H circle and a Husky brand one very similar to this. So "BE" is not the owners initials, just a model,, as for when it was made i did some research and it is 1930's to early 40's.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've got the same ratchet. Pretty nice, isn't it?!

 

[dirtrider]

Man I really would like to know this as well, I just inherited a ratchet exactly like that, its a 3/8 and has all the same marking's and looks the same. It was my grandpas. I just cleaned it up and re oiled it and it's actually pretty smooth for how old it is.

 

[Scout Driver]

A BE Craftsman is a New Britain manufactured ratchet. About 1931 to 1947 era. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Very nice ratchet by the way!

Scott

 

[SMKS]

There's a thread on this topic in the stickies.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=191889&postcount=69

 

[kburns]

For more info, check out this place:
http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/craftsman-be-hcircle.html

 

[woody 73]

New Britain late 30's early 40's

 

[Stevedore]

Thanks for the replies! I noticed on fig. 4 on the 2nd page of kburns's link that there 3 that look similar to mine, but the 3/8 square dirve piece appears to be reversed. i.e., on mine, when you're looking at the side with the "Forged" wording, the "BE" stamp, and the reversing switch, the square drive is on the backside, while in the pictures in the link, it's on the side facing hte camera.

Maybe the piece fits either way, and mine had been diassembled for cleaning, and reassembled backwards? I'll probably take it apart & see if it fits either way.

 

[T56 Impala]

Dates from around 1940, pre war tool. New britain made. Face plates can go either way. That one is in very nice condition. Keep it clean and oiled and it will last for a few more generations! Do you have the BE sockets to go with it? If you do, and are missing some, let me know. I have a few and might have something to fill a gap should you have a need. Im not selling, just offering to help out a new collector.

 

[mrholeshot]

That is a really cool ratchet, very nice find

 

[whelenfan]

that is a great ratchet. i really do love the older craftsman gear.