s-k ratchet dating help

[ekegelmann]

I just bought this today for $1. I can never pass up ratchets as it is, but I may or may not need help dating this. I put it at 1934-1939 era. Agree? And what about value? Does this early period draw more or? Im guessing its worth near 40?? Feedback please. Thanks!!

 

[r_olson_06]

Well I think you a little off on both but it is my own opinion. This ratchet I know is a 40s and is a very well built ratchet. You did very well at $1 on this one. Having several s-k ratchets and successfully completing the 1940s catalog of sockets, ratchets, wrenches, ect. I can definitely say these usually go for $5-$15. If you hold out you may be able to get a $20. The ratchet you may be thinking of is the early version from the late 30s known as the flat panel s-k and them can bring about $40 sometime a little more.
But all in all very nice ratchet. Thanks for posting.

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[woody 73]

I concur between $5-$15 dollars for those ratchets.

 

[930dreamer]

Here's the sold listings for S-K 45170 on ebay;

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw..._salic=1&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&LH_Complete=1

 

[firworks]

Dating advice? Just keep the conversation on the ratchet and not yourself. Whatever the ratchet says, act like it was fascinating. A drink or two before hand might help to loosen you up a bit, but obviously not too much or it will think you're a drunk. Follow those simple tips and you'll be fine. Good luck!

 

[bonneyman]

S-K ratchets for a buck apiece. That's my kind of price!

 

[ekegelmann]

I was looking at figure 30 down the page and its the exact model I have here and it says 1934-39. So is that page incorrect?

https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/sherman-klove.html

 

[r_olson_06]

I was looking at figure 30 down the page and its the exact model I have here and it says 1934-39. So is that page incorrect?

https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/sherman-klove.html

You are probably correct and I may too. They ran the style for that ratchet in the diamond logo up until Wayne bought out s-k which I believe was in the 50s. Now with the Pat date on it may suggest an early model but is all opinion again. Typically the difference I have noticed in the s-k ratchets for age variation is the width of the selector switch lever. Usually a narrow lever is an early model I have found.

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[r_olson_06]

Looking at the picture you do have the narrower style of lever so the late 30s date could very well be a possibility. I remember something about a date stamping on the very early s-k ratchets. It is usually in-between the opening in the retaining ring. Usually a single letter code. Now I have not seen any articles that definitively prove this theory but it has been a topic of discussion before.
If anyone has more information please enlighten me

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[Username already in use]

Early versions would have been stamped Pat. Pend.
Here is a wartime example (early 40's) of the 1/2" drive ratchet in black oxide.
So, I would assume yours is mid to late 40's...?

 

[ganymede]

Sk stamped the early and later patent #'s on their ratchets long after they had expired.
The diamond logo helps more than the patent numbers and as said the op's ratchet is from before the Wayne era.
Now notice the rat posted by Username already in use...
see how the body is thinner but more rounded than the op's.
If the op's ratchet were from the 40's I think it'd be thinner like that but it's wider and kind of flat. That to me looks more Lectrolite era (50's).

 

[Beerman]

Here's the sold listings for S-K 45170 on ebay;

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw..._salic=1&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&LH_Complete=1

Somewhat amazed by the variance in prices. In that link, I saw very nice SK rats go from a low of 5.99 to around $25. Can't figure that one out.


Beerman

 

[bonneyman]

I just depends. I've picked up a NOS 1/2 drive SK WAYNE ratchet for a $1. Other ratchets go for alot more.

It just depends on the buyer, collector or not, looking to complete a set, just needs a dependable tool. I know the Artisan-marked rats usually command a premium.

 

[RM209]

Dating advice? Just keep the conversation on the ratchet and not yourself. Whatever the ratchet says, act like it was fascinating. A drink or two before hand might help to loosen you up a bit, but obviously not too much or it will think you're a drunk. Follow those simple tips and you'll be fine. Good luck!

HaHa...I knew that was coming.
Well done.

RM209

 

[SK Eric]

We still haven't found the original patent documents for the ratchet (1933):

but there are still crates of documents that need pouring through--it's just not a huge priority for us right now. It's something that I'm going to make the time to do sometime in the future.

 

[buba]

We still haven't found the original patent documents for the ratchet (1933):

but there are still crates of documents that need pouring through--it's just not a huge priority for us right now. It's something that I'm going to make the time to do sometime in the future.

Sounds like Ideal could do a college student a good deed and hire one as a co-op/intern for a semester and turn them loose on pulling together the company history documentation from SK and Western Forge.

 

[twertsy]

Here are a bunch of examples produced under that patent.

The example on the bottom is the earliest I've seen, with a Patent Pending stamp which places it in the early 1930's.