Picked up an older Snap On hand tool box today at the flea.

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

Guy was asking 40, I offered 30 and we met half way at 35. Definately got some patina, but i'm not going to restore it, keeping it as is. No dents and the drawers slide pretty smoothly. Anyone know what decade its from?

 

[Bolster]

My dad bought me one of those (new) in the mid 70s? I still have it.

If you want photos just holler.

 

[wrenchr]

It will be marked on the back or bottom USA and a number like "69" and that number is the year made.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

sweet! thanks for the info guys, I'll take a closer look at it tomorrow. One thing I'm sure of is it weighed a ton carrying it around the rest of the time at the flea market. They don't make em like that anymore!

 

[billymade]

Hey! That looks just like the one I got! I think they are related!
Check out my thread! My arms also almost fell off from carrying it around; I had to keep changling arms! LOL!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26124

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

After reading your thread I realize now mine is missing the removable tray

 

[Tim Cowan]

I got one like it fifty years ago and it was old when I got it. It was painted gray and is now red. It has a leather top handle and two drawers, tray in the top and slide tray in the bottom drawer. The top drawer is divided into four parts. I use it as a carry around road box and it takes "two grunts" to lift it. I have never found any I D numbers or a date on it but I expect it was from the late 30's or 40's era. When did SO change box colors from gray to red?

 

[snapmom]

For that type box, I think the color was changed in the late 40s.

 

[billymade]

They still sell the tray that you are missing;
Tote Tray, Metal, Red (20 1/4" x 8" x 3 1/4")
Stock#: KTA3A $63.75
Description:
Tubular pull-up handle lifts 1 5/8". Measures 20 1/4" x 8" x 3 1/4" with handle down.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=425&group_ID=55
Link is down at the moment; snapon.com is being upgraded at the moment...

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

I looked all over for a date code or numbers on my box today, and couldn't find any on it. Looks like it might have been gray at one point too. Someone had painted it red at one point, because it has a run in the paint in a couple of spots.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

I was looking over the toolbox again today and I noticed on the underside of the hinged latch piece it says "STANLEY Made in the USA"

 

[Uncle Buck]

I was looking over the toolbox again today and I noticed on the underside of the hinged latch piece it says "STANLEY Made in the USA"

All that means is that at the time Snap-on sources the clips and hdw from Stanley, which at the time did produce quality goods. Only in recent years has the Stanley name meant ****. In the day, Stanley produced good hdw, and good tools. The box is stamped Snap-on, and I am sure that is what it is.

 

[Bolster]

Wow, that's interesting. I had never knowed that before. Some inter-brand cooperation, as it were.