Somewhat odd Williams S51.

[ganymede]

Somewhat odd Williams no model number or VS51?

Check out the pic. This one has very few marking.
The other side says 'made in usa' .
The only thing like this I could find mentioned (alloy artifacts) was Williams Auto oriented/ economy line called 'volume'.
But they had volume stamped on them.
I'm guessing this is just a war era ratchet.

 

[jakemac]

I have a 3/8dr with the same Diamond W marking.

 

[ganymede]

Wow!, yours looks like new old stock.

 

[jakemac]

It didn't look like that when I found it.

 

[ganymede]

Well good job getting it back to factory spec .

 

[SeniorCitizen]

I made my living with a 3/4 drive Williams of that design. Accepts a 4 ft. cheater pipe very well and I couldn't break it in 30 years. Tuff as a boot heel.

If I can think of it the next time I leave the ranch and go to town I'll look in Jimmie's catalog at the supply house to see if the design is still the same.

 

[ganymede]

Speaking of the design, the patent is long but an interesting read.


http://https://www.google.com/patents/US1957462

 

[chopper1]

Wasn't Williams economy line called Vulcan?

 

[ganymede]

Yes. Later on I think. Or maybe Volume was the auto service line only, not an economy line.
Looking at mine though it is kinda econo looking.
Notice the handle just tapers off without the distinctive grip that regular Williams ratchets had. The shift lever is also simplified too.

Edit: Vulcan was was a short lived tool truck brand. Tools were made by Williams.

 

[chopper1]

In reality, that isn't an S-51. It's an "S W-Diamond" and the strange thing is, it isn't shown on the AA site. Made between 1935 and 1947. Pix are of my 1/2 dr S W-Diamond

 

[jakemac]

I guess that makes my 3/8" dr a B W-Diamond then.

 

[chopper1]

I guess that makes my 3/8" dr a B W-Diamond then.

Yuper

 

[3baygarage]

Nice ratchets guys, I like that style Williams. Time to turn up the Volume!

 

[chopper1]

Again, it isn't an S-51, but a VS-51

 

[Andylad]

I have a Williams B-51a refrigeration ratchet that is a similar design with a couple of square drive holes in the handle, for using as a valve key maybe? Anyway they are a nice design and mine still works perfectly with a nice action.

 

[ganymede]

Spotted this on ebay. Maybe the logo on the box offers a clue as to the time frame these were produced...
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