That's a pretty unique set. Here is some great info from AA about Billmont.
It's not a ratchet. It's a free spinning wrench. More like a universal joint inside a tube.
They made an even larger one. You can see an example on the GJ Billmont thread along with other information. You can find it in the A-Z Index in the Sticky at the top of the forum, along with hundreds of other threads you may not know we have.
thanks so much for directing me. I’ll be reading all weekend now
It a good read. I had a chance to buy the larger set on eBay about a month ago and messed around and was sniped at the last minute. I still regret that
Here's some insight...., I WANT ONE!
You have a good woman. My wife would be all over me. Not in the kitchen. I would hear.
The sockets are very heavy like the forged ones produced by Billings and Spencer around 1920Here's some insight...., I WANT ONE!
No, seriously, I have never seen that before. Systems with male drive tangs are unusual to begin with. I have a few (early Herbrand, Eastern Machine Screw, CM&D, and SWF from Germany) that tickle my excess pride, but that is a really cool set. It's interesting that the mfgr machined the square tang down to round on the very end. Also, those 8-point openings almost look like Wright's famous 10-point openings, which they attempted to say would fit both hex and square fasteners. I think it's just the way the points are not symmetrical.
I the handle is trimmed with brass
Oh she was out of the house of course
Quite interesting. Looks early. The 2 screws that allow the front plate to be removed exposing the guts reminds me of the early Lowell no. 1 ratchet design, but Lowell didn't use a wooden handle at any point. If the handle was steel, it would remind me of Lowell. Lots of ratchet designs had an exposed gear like some of the Packer ratchets & several others. Have you removed the screws yet to look at the inside? You might find some clues. Post a pic if you do.
I’ll do that today
I agree with fourcycle. Your ratchet set could be European. Like he said, maybe British or it could be German. Not sure about the socket design though. That will be a fun research project trying to figure out the mystery. The info has to be out there somewhere.
Either way, it's odd, because it seems unnecessary.
They are all 1/2 drive. I looked at the box and initially thought it may be home made box for the set because it’s so clean but after closer inspection I think it’s original. Dove tail edges and heart lumber the the top and bottom plates. The bottom plate actually has some slight separation. I think it’s legit. I didn’t see any signs of provisions in the box for extensions.
We're only seeing the 1 pic. Looks interesting. Please post the other pics.
Search tool is located upper right. You can search on entire site, just this forum, or just this thread.
That patent date showing is Bartholomay (876,680). Is it marked Will B. Lane? We have a Lane thread. Might be a few Lane rats on this thread as well. But you can see more, including entire sets, with sockets in a wooden box, and lots of info on the Lane thread. See the "READ B4 POSTING" Sticky at the top of the Forum for an A-Z Index of threads, under "W" for Will B. Lane.
Looks like Gedore is a German company that opened in 1919. According to their history page on their website, they made their first wrench in 1936. I believe there is a thread somewhere here on GJ talking about Gedore. Cool find. Very unique ratchet. Here is a link to Gedore's history. They may have made tools before 1936. Further down the history page they elude to this saying after opening in 1919 they were making "adjustable spanners & other tools."Sticking this here. Found this Gedore No. 1693 oddity at a flea market yesterday.
The hex and anvil both measure at 13mm, ball to sit in a relief such as a socket. Nothing in the female, no push thru coupler with it.
Ratchet and breaker in one ? But 13mm drive?
Strong mechanism but crude, flip over reverse.
The only hex drive I have seen are Britool at 7/16"
Any ideas?
GEbruder DOwidat REmscheidLooks like Gedore is a German company that opened in 1919. According to their history page on their website, they made their first wrench in 1936. I believe there is a thread somewhere here on GJ talking about Gedore. Cool find. Very unique ratchet. Here is a link to Gedore's history. They may have made tools before 1936. Further down the history page they elude to this saying after opening in 1919 they were making "adjustable spanners & other tools."
GEDORE History| 100 Years Tools for Life
GEDORE has been manufacturing hand and special tools since 1919. The family-owned company can look back on a history of success.www.gedore.com
I think Indestro was known for not marking a lot of their tools for outsourcing purposes. But there's definitely SK attributes to your ratchet too. Did SK always mark their tools? Seems like they always did, but I could be wrong.There is some question about the manufacturer of this unmarked ratchet. Other than not having dual bands of knurling on the handle it resembles early S-K. There is a similar looking ratchet shown on Alloy Artifacts with Indestro markings. Any thoughts? Please ignore the early S-K sockets.
-Don
They only marked the ratchets and sockets in late 30s, this early 30s stuff not at all
There you go Don. Looks like SK according to Oldtuleguy's post above. His ratchet in his SK set looks like yours.There is some question about the manufacturer of this unmarked ratchet. Other than not having dual bands of knurling on the handle it resembles early S-K. There is a similar looking ratchet shown on Alloy Artifacts with Indestro markings. Any thoughts? Please ignore the early S-K sockets.
-Don
I often think "Nice Set you have there" I would love to get my hands on that set.They only marked the ratchets and sockets in late 30s, this early 30s stuff not at all
