SK ratchet production range

[camd64]

Wondering if anyone can help me get an idea on how old my new (to me) ratchet could be? I remember looking at a few threads to see how to tell the older SK stuff and I know they don’t put any date codes but the SK diamond logo, the thin selector lever, and the earlier pat. no. 1981526 makes me think it is fairly old. Thanks)

 

[Mgdoug3]

Alloy Artifacts doesn't mention the 40970. It mentions that the patent was switch to the newer one in 1941 but I don't know if that applies to the 40970. The earliest ones said patent pending. The only sure thing I can tell you is that it's older than 1962 when they switched to S-K Wayne. You might have better luck posting this in the vintage section. There's people more knowledgeable than me that hang out there.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I'll add that the 1981526 patent was issued in 1934. If the patents were the same are the 42470, that would date it between 1934-1941 (but that could be incorrect if the 40970 wasn't issued with the new patent).