Please help date Klein Needle Nose Pliers

[mikew13]

I just brought a Klein needle nose at a antique shop for $7.50. On inside grip I see the marking "O-K-E1". I have attached photos with the M. Klein and Sons logo. Inner surfaces of jaws seem very good. Any idea of date and what would value be?

 

[mikew13]

Fig. 156 shows a pair of Klein [303-6] 6 inch needlenose plier, marked "M. Klein & Sons" and "Chicago, U.S.A.", with the company's "Climbing Lineman" logo in the center. Note that this logo includes the "Klein Tools" text inside the circle, with "Est. 1857" and "Trade Mark Reg." at the bottom.

The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The lower inset shows the stamped marking "0-L-EM" on the underside of one handle. Currently we're unsure of the meaning (if any) of this marking.

Although not marked with a model number, these pliers were identified as model 303-6 by a catalog reference. The model 303 needlenose pliers were similar to the Klein 301 long nose pliers, but with a sharper point at the tips of the jaws.

 

[Straightgrain]

Looks like a nice pair of needle nose. I have a similar pair with the same markings but the nose is rounded at the tip and the other side is stamped "Bell System". My pair is still tight, you can't see any light between the jaws after all these years.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Join the Klein Tools page on Facebook and post them, I have seen others do that and employees have given them an estimate of age.

 

[back2class]

I;ve seen older. Guessing 1960's

 

[krivasgarage]

I know I am resurrecting an old thread, but looking for similar information about these linemans' pliers:

 

[Fordman7795]

Mikew13 - did you, or do you own a Bronco or were a member of a bronco forum?

 

[lbgradwell]

And another bump of an old thread!

... "O-K-E1"

Assuming the stamp is really O-K-EI, these pliers would be from the 2nd Quarter of 1945.

..."0-L-EM"

...and these from the 3rd Quarter of 1941...

 

[lbgradwell]

I know I am resurrecting an old thread, but looking for similar information about these linemans' pliers:

What is the code on the inside of the handles?

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

The code inside the handles indicates the MFG Date.

Character # 1 - O is a filler.
Character #2 is the Quarter of MFG.
Characters #3 and #4 are the year of MFG.

Use the substitution code below:

M K L E I N C O R P
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10?

My O L E O pliers were made in 3rd Quarter of 1948.

I got this information from the $5000 Klein pliers thread from Friday.

Cheers

Jim

 

[castoridae]

I have a pair of Klein pliers with date code O-E-EP.
So would be 4th quarter, 1940?
EP= 4 -10 year code?
O= filler
E= 4th quarter

 

[castoridae]

I have a pair of Klein pliers with date code O-E-EP.
So would be 4th quarter, 1940?
EP= 4 -10 year code?
O= filler
E= 4th quarter