Snap On Open End Wrench

[ocloc24]

I recently purchased this for $.50 at a flea market along with some nice older USA deep offset box wrenches. It was my first time going to a flea market to look for old tools, and I think I'm hooked already. As if I need another excuse to spend money on tools.

Anyways, I know this wrench is older, but it doesn't have a date code so I have no idea how old. The pictures are after I cleaned it up and soaked it. I'm guessing 70's or 80's, but have no idea. Either way, I've already put it to good use. Something awesome about using a wrench that's decades old that stood the test of time.

One thing I noticed is it did slip once or twice though. Was this pre "flank drive" and did flank drive really make a difference on the open ends? I thought that was for sockets and box ends? And any opinions on age would be welcome. I hope to continue to grow my retro tool collection. Thank you.

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[donpauli2]

That one IS a keeper. And open end wrenches never had " flank drive" only box end and sockets. "Flank drive plus" is what came out on open ends in later years. The slots at 90° to the edges. That wrench at an estimate is at least 60-70 years old


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[ocloc24]

That one IS a keeper. And open end wrenches never had " flank drive" only box end and sockets. "Flank drive plus" is what came out on open ends in later years. The slots at 90° to the edges. That wrench at an estimate is at least 60-70 years old


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Whoa. When I first saw it I was thinking 60s possibly by logo but it was in such pristine condition I thought no way. Thank you!



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[Gmonkee]

The old BP Supreme pattern in the Snappy label. Mine is a 1959 which is close to the last year of those.

Only ever found one.

 

[denning]

Nice Find

 

[fatfillup]

The old BP Supreme pattern in the Snappy label. Mine is a 1959 which is close to the last year of those.

Only ever found one.

Agree with the BP Supreme pattern. I have never seen one in the Snappy label.

I am thinking with the part number starting with S means that is a specialty wrench rather then part of a set.

If it is a specialty wrench, it could be a bit later then 59 or so

 

[MShaw]

I have a set of SO blue point supreme open ends from 1/4" to 1 5/8" that were purchased between 1954 and 1963. All have the S part number. I suspect that is for Supreme. Mine do not have the Snap on stamping, just the Blue Point Supreme. That would make your wrench either older than 1954 or newer that 1964. If you post this on the vintage tools list Snapmom should give a definitive answer.

 

[ocloc24]

I have a set of SO blue point supreme open ends from 1/4" to 1 5/8" that were purchased between 1954 and 1963. All have the S part number. I suspect that is for Supreme. Mine do not have the Snap on stamping, just the Blue Point Supreme. That would make your wrench either older than 1954 or newer that 1964. If you post this on the vintage tools list Snapmom should give a definitive answer.

I will, thank you!

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[3baygarage]

The "B" on the end of the number indicates Black (Industrial finish) wrench.

Not a special purpose wrench.

I would pin it to the late 50s early 60s. Interesting that it is like a Blue Point Supreme body with the Snap On name. Could be from right when they transitioned from the Supremes to the smooth body Snap On open ends.

I don't know if it's possible that being the separate black industrial line, it may have overlapped with the smooth chrome line though.

Ironically, couldn't find it in the catalogs with both that body and name. Collecting Snap On has several gaps in catalogs.

 

[3baygarage]

1960 catalog shows Blue Point Supreme open ends.

1962 catalog shows just Snap on open ends(VS series which were already in the 1960 catalog in addition to the Blue Point Supremes), and the tappet wrenches also transitioned from BP supreme to Snap On by that time.

No 1961 catalog on Collectingsnapon.
Of course, this is all according to the catalogs, which do not all show industrial finish wrenches. And like I said, don't know if that wrench shape was used longer.

This could help narrow it to early 60's though.