Show Off Your Antique Ratchet

[Oldtuleguy]

The one with the bands of knurling came in the hinsdale set!

 

[four.cycle]

Okay well... I confess that one has always confounded me... I think in the last 8 years I've seen all of maybe half a dozen of the Indestros that were marked (with part number) and many others with NO part number (which I always assumed were S-K.) Throwing Hinsdale into the mix puts a different light on things - I was not aware they made a ratchet like that.

 

[d42jeep]

YES! the one with the two bands of knurling is S-K, right?

My two sets both have ratchets with the two bands. Those are shown in the catalogs as well. I’m glad that OTG has one for reference. I guess that S-K likely made both styles.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those goofy flip flop ratchets pop up in flat handle and the heavier round bar handle in hinsdale, duro/indestro and sk, as well as the sk produced fulton and Brazil sets, but according to this patent it originated with duro, applied for in 1928 and granted in 1931

"DATAMP"
https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=1798481&id=10679#:~:text=Copyright © 2002-2023 --,DATAMP

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Hinsdale sold that ratchet as well. The only difference I can tell is knurling on handles seems to vary. Anyone ever see a patent on one?

It rumored that SK and their Brazil manufacturing facility manufactured all the Hinsdale stuff prior to 1931. When Hinsdale stopped briefly was when SK was born to liquidate the massive inventory. Thus why the early sk sockets were not marked.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

My two sets both have ratchets with the two bands. Those are shown in the catalogs as well. I’m glad that OTG has one for reference. I guess that S-K likely made both styles.
-Don

Thanks for posting that ad. I have never seen that. I have an older sk set very similar but the box is black and the tool box is no quite as fancy as yours. Its just and straight across socket rail and open box. Man I love the fitmor looking box on the 1206

 

[d42jeep]

Both of those early sets are in black boxes that are discolored from age.
-Don

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Both of those early sets are in black boxes that are discolored from age.
-Don

What a beautiful display

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I took a picture of the early S-K sets together this morning.
-Don

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Although the sockets aren’t pressed steel, the ratchet in my early Blackhawk set is functional but pretty rudimentary although it is reversing.
-Don

Did Blackhawk make a pressed steel set? I think I may have one

 

[AntiqueBen]

I didn't realize that Billings & Spencer was in the pressed steel socket game in the teens. I recently bought this 1/2" Billings & Spencer CA model ratchet circa 1917-1920. I guess the B&S pressed steel socket sets are more scarce than Mossberg & other sets of that era. This CA ratchet seemed odd to me being 11 tooth with a large opening on the top for lubrication. Its a heavy well made ratchet. Does 11 teeth seem odd to anyone else??

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

I didn't realize that Billings & Spencer was in the pressed steel socket game in the teens. I recently bought this 1/2" Billings & Spencer CA model ratchet circa 1917-1920. I guess the B&S pressed steel socket sets are more scarce than Mossberg & other sets of that era. This CA ratchet seemed odd to me being 11 tooth with a large opening on the top for lubrication. Its a heavy well made ratchet. Does 11 teeth seem odd to anyone else??

I have a set with that rachet but the sockets are actually cast and not pressed steel

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have a set with that rachet

Which set? I have a No. 50. See posts #203 through #205 on page 6 of the Billings & Spencer thread, which you can find it in the A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky at the top of the forum.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

I don’t know but will send pics in a few. I’m heading to the shop tonight

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

My set is set number 52

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Here is set 52

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice set Patrick

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Nice set Patrick

Thanks. It’s one of my favorites

 

[AntiqueBen]

Here is set 52

Nice B&S set. There were a couple different versions of the CA ratchet. The 2nd version that came in set no. 52 had a spring clip to help hold the socket in place & the ratchet was 8.5" total length. The 1st version that came in the no. 31 set had no spring clip & was 8.4" in total length. I've read that because the 1/2" stud fit inside the pressed steel socket (instead of the socket fitting inside the ratchet like Mossberg design), the stud would end up cracking or breaking the sockets due to their thin walls. Having a complete B&S set with all original sockets would be a rarity.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is set 52

Bigger than the No. 50. Thanks, Patrick. I though you would post it on the B&S thread. I will cross-link it.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Nice B&S set. There were a couple different versions of the CA ratchet. The 2nd version that came in set no. 52 had a spring clip to help hold the socket in place & the ratchet was 8.5" total length. The 1st version that came in the no. 31 set had no spring clip & was 8.4" in total length. I've read that because the 1/2" stud fit inside the pressed steel socket (instead of the socket fitting inside the ratchet like Mossberg design), the stud would end up cracking or breaking the sockets due to their thin walls. Having a complete B&S set with all original sockets would be a rarity.

Oh gosh now I’m going to have to get one of those to compare. Thanks for the info

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Here is another Billings Spencer product. This swivel head Allen wrench rachet was produced by B&S and actuall sold with a B&S socket set. 1919-1920

 

[AntiqueBen]

Oh gosh now I’m going to have to get one of those to compare. Thanks for the info

I have a lot of ratchets, but this CA B&S ratchet has quickly became one of my favorites. Not sure how to access the gear though? Mine operates great, but I was a little shocked how big the oil hole on the top is. Makes it easier for stuff to get in there.

 

[AntiqueBen]

Here is another Billings Spencer product. This swivel head Allen wrench rachet was produced by B&S and actuall sold with a B&S socket set. 1919-1920

That's a cool ratchet! Unique design. Odd how the gear is exposed a little on the face of the ratchet.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This swivel head Allen wrench rachet was produced by B&S and actuall sold with a B&S socket set. 1919-1920

Also in Allen sets. Close-up below. Contents of set, patent, ads, other info in the Allen thread. See Sticky.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Fred Allen's first patent (1,000,878), granted in 1911, preceding the "Universal Wrench" ratchet patent (1,261,092), granted in 1918, was the "Friction Wrench" ratchet. Gearless. Lots more pics on the Allen thread, including the ratchet disassembled.

 

[AntiqueBen]

Fred Allen's first patent (1,000,878), granted in 1911, preceding the "Universal Wrench" ratchet patent (1,261,092), granted in 1918, was the "Friction Wrench" ratchet. Gearless. Lots more pics on the Allen thread, including the ratchet disassembled.

That's the next ratchet I'm looking for. I think the Allen Friction was the first Billings & Spencer ratchet. Very nice!

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Fred Allen's first patent (1,000,878), granted in 1911, preceding the "Universal Wrench" ratchet patent (1,261,092), granted in 1918, was the "Friction Wrench" ratchet. Gearless. Lots more pics on the Allen thread, including the ratchet disassembled.

Please tell me how to get to these threads. I swear I can’t find them. I’m accessing from a phone. That might be the problem

 

[AntiqueBen]

So which patent does the B&S CA ratchet fall under? It's not an Allen patent & for some reason I'm not seeing it under Billings?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Please tell me how to get to these threads. I swear I can’t find them. I’m accessing from a phone. That might be the problem

The problem is not your phone, it's probably how you enter the site, in a specific thread, from your alerts, which is too far down in the weeds and the noise, causing new members to never get a good feel for the way the site is organized at the top level, and how it works. If you're reading this post, scroll to the very top of this thread. Look to the left. Above the thread title, you'll see links that look like this...

Forum > The Tools > Vintage Tool Discussion

Click on Vintage Tool Discussion

You will see all the threads that are currently or most recently active in this forum on page 1. (There is a page 2, a page 3, etc with threads that have older activity).

The handiest way to find threads that might be on page 17 or 34 etc, because they haven't had any news posts (which bumps the thread to the top of page 1...) is the Sticky.

The Sticky, a permanent thread that is always at the very top, is entitled: READ B4 POSTING!: A-Z Index of Threads, FAQ, & Helpful Hints & Links. That Index is NOT subject to the chronological decay of threads. The links are always there.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My participation on this thread heretofore has been mainly in response to whatever was being discussed..., a Hazet (not antique), the French Army ratchet (not antique), the "first" discussion (i.e., Richardson, Contal, etc), the confusion about the tubular Ayer rat in the "RAY" sets looking Auto-Cle-ish), the Billmont (not a ratchet), Patrick's cool mystery ratchet (probably antique) and male drive tang sockets, someone posting a partial view of a Bartholomay WILL B. LANE rat, etc.

I probably should have done this before.

Here are my antique (made before 1924) ratchets and links to their threads.

1886 Lowell No. 1 (not intended to drive sockets, though)

Lowell Wrench Co. Worcester Mass #1

Picked this up last Monday at the flea market, with a bunch of old tools. I never heard of the company before, and was surprised to find they are still in business. http://lowellcorp.com/# Here are some pictures, thought it was a neat tool worth sharing. Drive plug is marked A. D. & T. Co...

www.garagejournal.com

1907 ratchet adaptor (5/8-inch square drive) from Charles Miller, Syracuse, NY
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/worlds-first-ever-detachable-crowfoot-wrenches.424234/#post-7987863

1909 ratchet adaptor (Eames Mfg, Boston, MA), 1/2-inch square drive.

c. 1909 Eames Socket Wrenches Automobile Set

Post 1 of 10 I recently splurged for this splendid socket set… …made in 1909 by a pair of brothers, both of them graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (we’ll get to that later….), and advertised like mad in several trade mags, including Automobile Trade Journal, The...

www.garagejournal.com

1910 Will B. Lane open gear ratchet, 5/8-inch square drive
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/who-made-it.461920/#post-8671918

1911 “Friction” (gearless) ratchet (Allen), 1/2-inch square drive
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/allen-universal-wrench-set-no-51.426349/

1918 “Universal” (swiveling) ratchet (Allen), 1/2-inch square drive
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/allen-universal-wrench-set-no-51.426349/

1921 1/2-inch square drive ratchet adaptor with an external cam-pin, Allen Mfg, Hartford, CT

c. 1920's Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19

The “Allen” in this Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19… …is Allen Manufacturing in Hartford, Conn., the company most famous for its eponymous hex keys or “Allen wrenches” used in conjunction with set or safety screws, patented (960,244) by W.G. Allen in 1910. The "Bay State" in the name is the...

www.garagejournal.com

1921 ratchet adaptor (Eastern Machine Screw Corp, New Haven, CT), 5/8-inch male hex drive.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...chine-screw-socket-ratchet-wrench-set.397758/

1922 Gray, 1/2-inch square drive

c. 1920's Gray Tools Toronto Canada Socket Wrench Set

Thinking the nice shade of olive green on the box meant it was military, a friend of mine tipped me off to this early Gray Tools Toronto Canada socket wrench set being auctioned on eBay very inexpensively, and I grabbed it. It’s 1/2-inch drive. The ratchet, No. 602, is female non-reversible...

www.garagejournal.com

1923 Spezial Werkzeugefabrik Feuerbach (SWF) ratchet (5/8-inch male hex drive) head pivots in five positions.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...eugfabrik-feuerbach-d-r-p-socket-sets.396059/

1924 The “Onli-1” close-quarter (no swing) offset ratchet (King Tools, Asbury Park, NJ), 7/16-inch hex drive.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/onli-1-socket-set.358645/

 

[AntiqueBen]

My participation on this thread heretofore has been mainly in response to whatever was being discussed..., a Hazet (not antique), the French Army ratchet (not antique), the "first" discussion (i.e., Richardson, Contal, etc), the confusion about the tubular Ayer rat in the "RAY" sets looking Auto-Cle-ish), the Billmont (not a ratchet), Patrick's cool mystery ratchet (probably antique) and male drive tang sockets, someone posting a partial view of a Bartholomay WILL B. LANE rat, etc.

I probably should have done this before.

Here are my antique (made before 1924) ratchets and links to their threads.

1886 Lowell No. 1 (not intended to drive sockets, though)

Lowell Wrench Co. Worcester Mass #1

Picked this up last Monday at the flea market, with a bunch of old tools. I never heard of the company before, and was surprised to find they are still in business. http://lowellcorp.com/# Here are some pictures, thought it was a neat tool worth sharing. Drive plug is marked A. D. & T. Co...

www.garagejournal.com

1907 ratchet adaptor (5/8-inch square drive) from Charles Miller, Syracuse, NY
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/worlds-first-ever-detachable-crowfoot-wrenches.424234/#post-7987863

1909 ratchet adaptor (Eames Mfg, Boston, MA), 1/2-inch square drive.

c. 1909 Eames Socket Wrenches Automobile Set

Post 1 of 10 I recently splurged for this splendid socket set… …made in 1909 by a pair of brothers, both of them graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (we’ll get to that later….), and advertised like mad in several trade mags, including Automobile Trade Journal, The...

www.garagejournal.com

1910 Will B. Lane open gear ratchet, 5/8-inch square drive
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/who-made-it.461920/#post-8671918

1911 “Friction” (gearless) ratchet (Allen), 1/2-inch square drive
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/allen-universal-wrench-set-no-51.426349/

1918 “Universal” (swiveling) ratchet (Allen), 1/2-inch square drive
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/allen-universal-wrench-set-no-51.426349/

1921 1/2-inch square drive ratchet adaptor with an external cam-pin, Allen Mfg, Hartford, CT

c. 1920's Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19

The “Allen” in this Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19… …is Allen Manufacturing in Hartford, Conn., the company most famous for its eponymous hex keys or “Allen wrenches” used in conjunction with set or safety screws, patented (960,244) by W.G. Allen in 1910. The "Bay State" in the name is the...

www.garagejournal.com

1921 ratchet adaptor (Eastern Machine Screw Corp, New Haven, CT), 5/8-inch male hex drive.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...chine-screw-socket-ratchet-wrench-set.397758/

1923 Spezial Werkzeugefabrik Feuerbach (SWF) ratchet (5/8-inch male hex drive) head pivots in five positions.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...eugfabrik-feuerbach-d-r-p-socket-sets.396059/

1924 The “Onli-1” close-quarter (no swing) offset ratchet (King Tools, Asbury Park, NJ), 7/16-inch hex drive.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/onli-1-socket-set.358645/

Nice pre 1924 collection. Personally my favorites are your Eames & Spezial Werkzeugefabrik Feuerbach. The Eames set is awesome & impossible to find.

 

[four.cycle]

wow! thanks Private Lugnutz!

@Patrick Eubanks - this link will take you to the LIST. many of the entries there include the link to the appropriate GJ thread.

 

[Jazz1]

the Gray in centre I found 20 years ago all rusted. It’s 1920 vintage. Local GRAY supplier informed me of its age when he supplied me with rebuild kit

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice pre 1924 collection.

Thanks!

Personally my favorites are your Eames & Spezial Werkzeugefabrik Feuerbach. The Eames set is awesome & impossible to find.

It's like picking desert island music - impossible! They would both be in my Top 5, for sure, but, gun to my head, my heart belongs to the Onli-1.

I shall be eternally grateful for @elidas trading the ratchet adaptor to me. I haven't seen him lately. Hope everything is okay. He's located up near all the New England antique industry action. My kind of picker. In the wild, whatever strikes his fancy, lots of whatzits, but a good, instinctive eye for the good stuff, and it all goes in a big shed out back.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

the Gray in centre I found 20 years ago all rusted. It’s 1920 vintage. Local GRAY supplier informed me of its age when he supplied me with rebuild kit

Nice rat! (I think you mean the pressed steel jobbie on the left, though, not in the centre, which is a Gray-Bonney era clone.) I have a similar ratchet or quite possibly the same ratchet but marked a little differently, in a very early Gray socket set, with an original 1922 Gray logo on the lid. Photo of rat below. Photos of entire set linked here.

 

[AntiqueBen]

It looks like Billings & Spencer Co changed their name in 1915 to "The" Billings & Spencer Co. as part of a reincorporation of the company. The name "The Billings & Spencer Co" was in slanted letter font. The CA ratchet in set no 31 has the older marking as "Billings & Spencer Co" in straight block letters with the triangle B. I'm wandering how AA determined the date of the CA ratchet? Could have the no. 31 set came out before 1915? AA lists articles dated 1915 of the name change on their tools. I'm just wandering the actual date of the manufacturing of the CA ratchet & the no. 31 set since I cannot find a patent for the CA ratchet??

 

[elidas]

Thanks!

It's like picking desert island music - impossible! They would both be in my Top 5, for sure, but, gun to my head, my heart belongs to the Onli-1.

I shall be eternally grateful for @elidas trading the ratchet adaptor to me. I haven't seen him lately. Hope everything is okay. He's located up near all the New England antique industry action. My kind of picker. In the wild, whatever strikes his fancy, lots of whatzits, but a good, instinctive eye for the good stuff, and it all goes in a big shed out back.

I'm still around just spread a little thin right now.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm still around just spread a little thin right now.

Good to hear from you. Looking forward to seeing your finds when you're a little fatter.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

My participation on this thread heretofore has been mainly in response to whatever was being discussed..., a Hazet (not antique), the French Army ratchet (not antique), the "first" discussion (i.e., Richardson, Contal, etc), the confusion about the tubular Ayer rat in the "RAY" sets looking Auto-Cle-ish), the Billmont (not a ratchet), Patrick's cool mystery ratchet (probably antique) and male drive tang sockets, someone posting a partial view of a Bartholomay WILL B. LANE rat, etc.

I probably should have done this before.

Here are my antique (made before 1924) ratchets and links to their threads.

1886 Lowell No. 1 (not intended to drive sockets, though)

Lowell Wrench Co. Worcester Mass #1

Picked this up last Monday at the flea market, with a bunch of old tools. I never heard of the company before, and was surprised to find they are still in business. http://lowellcorp.com/# Here are some pictures, thought it was a neat tool worth sharing. Drive plug is marked A. D. & T. Co...

www.garagejournal.com

1907 ratchet adaptor (5/8-inch square drive) from Charles Miller, Syracuse, NY
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/worlds-first-ever-detachable-crowfoot-wrenches.424234/#post-7987863

1909 ratchet adaptor (Eames Mfg, Boston, MA), 1/2-inch square drive.

c. 1909 Eames Socket Wrenches Automobile Set

Post 1 of 10 I recently splurged for this splendid socket set… …made in 1909 by a pair of brothers, both of them graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (we’ll get to that later….), and advertised like mad in several trade mags, including Automobile Trade Journal, The...

www.garagejournal.com

1910 Will B. Lane open gear ratchet, 5/8-inch square drive
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/who-made-it.461920/#post-8671918

1911 “Friction” (gearless) ratchet (Allen), 1/2-inch square drive
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/allen-universal-wrench-set-no-51.426349/

1918 “Universal” (swiveling) ratchet (Allen), 1/2-inch square drive
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/allen-universal-wrench-set-no-51.426349/

1921 1/2-inch square drive ratchet adaptor with an external cam-pin, Allen Mfg, Hartford, CT

c. 1920's Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19

The “Allen” in this Allen "Bay State" Set No. 19… …is Allen Manufacturing in Hartford, Conn., the company most famous for its eponymous hex keys or “Allen wrenches” used in conjunction with set or safety screws, patented (960,244) by W.G. Allen in 1910. The "Bay State" in the name is the...

www.garagejournal.com

1921 ratchet adaptor (Eastern Machine Screw Corp, New Haven, CT), 5/8-inch male hex drive.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...chine-screw-socket-ratchet-wrench-set.397758/

1922 Gray, 1/2-inch square drive

c. 1920's Gray Tools Toronto Canada Socket Wrench Set

Thinking the nice shade of olive green on the box meant it was military, a friend of mine tipped me off to this early Gray Tools Toronto Canada socket wrench set being auctioned on eBay very inexpensively, and I grabbed it. It’s 1/2-inch drive. The ratchet, No. 602, is female non-reversible...

www.garagejournal.com

1923 Spezial Werkzeugefabrik Feuerbach (SWF) ratchet (5/8-inch male hex drive) head pivots in five positions.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...eugfabrik-feuerbach-d-r-p-socket-sets.396059/

1924 The “Onli-1” close-quarter (no swing) offset ratchet (King Tools, Asbury Park, NJ), 7/16-inch hex drive.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/onli-1-socket-set.358645/

Thanks so much for the links. Great stuff