The Ratchet Collection Thread

[twertsy]

I've searched the vintage area (as best as can be done on here) but I don't find a thread dedicated to vintage ratchets. So, here it is. I'm going to try posting in brand groupings, at the rate of a brand per day. Comment and/or post up your ratchet collections!

Today, I'll start off with the most beautiful and innovative tools ever made. I'm speaking of course of Blackhawk.

First, the 49977 and 911X Series Pressed Steel ratchets. The 49977 are reversible while the 911X series carries a drive plug. These ratchets were made throughout the 1930's and perhaps even in the early 1940s. I have recently seen a WWII toolkit inspection layout photo containing a 49977.

 

[twertsy]

Next, I'll post the Blackhawk flat handle drive plug series. These were predominately made during the 1920's to very early '30s. Shown here from top to bottom are:
- 3/4" drive Model 916
- 1/2" drive Model 906
- 7/16" Hex drive Model 9714P
- 3/8" drive Model 97012P

 

[woody 73]

twertsy very nice collection

Did you find them on E-bay or at other places like garage sales, flea type places or other sources?

I don't do the E-bay (I would go broke in a day) so I go the other route and I have not found any of your examples from above, (which make me think you went the E-bay route).

Still a fantastic collection.

 

[twertsy]

Now we start getting into the innovative and art deco period for Blackhawk. This group is the gearless clutch flat back design. The mechanism on these ratchets is truly innovative. To change drive direction, the button on the reverse is pressed in while turning the drive plug to use the clutch.

Shown here from top to bottom are:
- 1/2" drive Model 49997 (x2)
- Bullet Handle 7/16" drive Model 39997 (x2)
- 3/8" drive Model 34981

 

[twertsy]

twertsy very nice collection

Did you find them on E-bay or at other places like garage sales, flea type places or other sources?

I don't do the E-bay (I would go broke in a day) so I go the other route and I have not found any of your examples from above, (which make me think you went the E-bay route).

Still a fantastic collection.

A little of both Woody. Probably about 50/50 in the case of Blackhawk.

 

[woody 73]

Very nice collection you have a keen eye for a wonderful brand.

 

[twertsy]

Next are the infamous Baldies. These were made in the 30's and 40's. All of mine are geared ratchets but I "believe" they were also made in gearless style.

From top to bottom:

- 3/4" drive Model 69987
- 1/2" drive Model 49996
- 3/8" drive Model 34998 (x2)

 

[twertsy]

This style has a "wheel selector" on the back and is also geared. These were made through the '40s and early '50s.

From top to bottom:
- 3/4" drive Model 69987
- 7/16" drive removable/extendable handle Model 39996
- 3/8" drive Model 34998
- 1/4" drive Model 24991

 

[twertsy]

Now this ratchet is truly odd. I don't recall ever seeing a pear head Blackhawk before. I believe the date code is '53, just before New Britain took over.

This is a 1/2" drive Model 49996 with a date code of 3.

 

[twertsy]

This is another that isn't seen often. It has a wheel selector on the reverse and the handle is hollow. It is a 1/2" drive Model 49996.

I won't list the model numbers for the remaining ratchets as they are all modern New Britain and Stanley era.

 

[woody 73]

I do believe I am crying and I need a box of Kleenex right about this time...Just over the top in the Wow factor!

 

[bill300d]

I seem to remember seeing similar pressed steel ratchets that were unmarked. Did Blackhawk mark all of them or are there unmarked versions?

 

[twertsy]

I seem to remember seeing similar pressed steel ratchets that were unmarked. Did Blackhawk mark all of them or are there unmarked versions?

I think Blackhawk marked them all. But Walden, Mossberg and many others made that style. The blackhawks are markedly heavier.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I think the one I have is a Walden, is what I was told on here.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Amazing collection Twertsy!!!

Here is my small accumulation.

First is the New Britain made RHFT, and a Husky pearhead. I have a few more that live at work l, that are not in the picture. All 3/8 and 1/2, couldn't find my 1/4 version. Brands are Husky, Sparta, NBM, and Penncraft.


Next is a couple of Bonney 1/2" drive, a pair of Cornwell and an industro super.


Lastly is most of my SK vintage ratchets. The 6 on the top are users the rest are ones I can't seem to part with, but don't see much use. The 1/4 on the bottom, was in my desk drawer, but it is going back into circulation as of today.....may take it to work with me this week.


Cornwell and a NB made American Forge that live in the house for household repairs. Also a Thorsen that is for a set I'm building.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

A couple of my daily users that are also vintage

One Husky 3/8" QR


One New Britain 1/2" Flex and a Sparta 1/4"

One SK tuff1 ROTO

 

[twertsy]

Nice Rats Sam!

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[thehorse13]

This thread gives me the shakes, especially from all of the Blackhawk jewelry that Twertsy teased up.

Here is a quick picture of some of the ratchets laying around my shop. You'll notice a Blackhawk 906 that I recently picked up at the flea market.

I have a pretty good sampling of Bonney (kv marked), Blackhawk, Craftsman, Snap-On, Proto and Fleet in this drawer. My S-K stuff lives in a private upscale toolbox along with some other sets made by Armstrong.

 

[chopper1]

Where oh where, is MOPARHOUND?

Nice posts guys. Todd you leave me speechless.

 

[twertsy]

Ok, today I will stay "geographically" focused. Since I started in Milwaukee, I will concentrate in that area with Milwaukee Tool & Forge, Husky Corp. and Snap-On. However, I do NOT collect Snap-On so I apologize for my limited examples in that realm. Perhaps Snapmom could help me out here although, she'd probably have to change the batteries in her camera 6 times to get through them all!

So, let's start with Milwaukee Tool & Forge. MTF existed from 1917 to 1932, at which point they combined with several other companies and moved to Defiance Ohio under the Lectrolite banner.

From top to bottom are:

- 5/8" Hex drive - No Model Number
- 1/2" drive - No Model Number
- 1/2" drive - No Model Number

 

[twertsy]

Next we'll move to Husky. Husky Wrench Co. was founded in early 1924 by at least 3 former Snap-On employees. In 1929, they were purchased by Olsen Manufacturing, the name changed to Husky Manufacturing, and moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin. In late 1934 evidence suggests that the Husky plant and all equipment was sold at auction. Perhaps immediately, but certainly sometime between late '34 and 1938 (new 1938 Husky catalog on my site), Husky was moved / purchased by New Britain Machine Co.

Early Husky Wrench Co. ratchets (and tools for that matter) are extremely difficult to find. As far as I know, I have no examples unfortunately. These two examples are from the 1929 - 1934 Olsen time frame and are examples of Husky Ratchet No. 1. Both patents forged into the handles were filed by Sigmund Mandl in 1924 and awarded in 1927.

From top to bottom are:

- 1/2" drive Model 1 - This would be the earlier version.
- 1/2" drive Model 1 - More toward the end of the period

 

[twertsy]

These represent the earliest New Britain era of Husky. The top ratchet is from the Costello Patent and I "believe" the lower 2 are variations on that patent.

From Top to Bottom:

- 1/2" drive reversible Model H4725 (Patent Pending dates this ratchet between 12/1937 and 07/1940)
- 1/2" female drive non-reversible Model 3183 (this ratchet has what is believed to be a date of 5-46 forged in the handle)
- 1/2" female drive non-reversible Model 3183 - late '40s to early '50s

 

[twertsy]

The next version of Husky ratchet is based on the Fors patent, and they date from 1946 to around 1960. We believe the bottom ratchet is the earliest as it represents the patent drawing exactly. The top 3 are a slight variation in how the selector recess is cut away.

From top to bottom:

- 3/8" drive Model 3345 - 50s
- 1/2" drive Model 8480 (x2) - 50s
- 1/2" drive Model CS-41 - 1946 - early '50s

 

[twertsy]

The next style of Husky Ratchet is based on two Kilness patents. First, the patent stamped on the shank is 2554990, awarded in 1951, and the patent pending referring to patent 2981389 awarded in 1961. Therefore, we can date this ratchet between 1957 (filing of second patent) and 1961 (award of second patent).

- 3/8" drive Model CB-42 - there is a "28" also stamped into the shank and one could logically conclude, based on the patent info, it represents 1958

 

[raiderhillbilly]

Twertsy, You are a mountain of knowledge on ratchets! I appreciate you and your website. Thanks for keeping the history alive.

 

[twertsy]

Twertsy, You are a mountain of knowledge on ratchets! I appreciate you and your website. Thanks for keeping the history alive.

I appreciate it raider. However, I have had a TREMENDOUS amount of help from people too numerous to mention them all!

 

[twertsy]

I'll leave off the Husky run with likely the most prolific New Britain design, the Kilness patent 2981389. Around here, and I suspect most everywhere, this design can be found in scores of brand stamps. Thanks to the work of Powderkeg and others, here is a link to the list of known brands that this design has worn at one time or another. The top ratchet is based on the same Kilness patent, but in addition the patent pending refers to patent 3777596 by Smyers and Russo for the quick release mechanism, filed in 9/72 and awarded in 12/73. Therefore, we can date the top ratchet to between those two dates.

From top to bottom:

- 1/2" drive Model CS-46 - 72-73
- 1/2" drive Model CS-43 - 1960's
- 3/8" drive Model CB-43 - 1960's
- 1/4" drive Model CM-45 - 1960's

 

[twertsy]

Ok, I decided to do one more, in the same general geographic area. I'm not sure if OTC ever actually made any common hand tools (wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc.) as I believe they principally focused on the specialty tool market. That said, I do have a couple ratchets branded OTC. The ratchets are of unknown manufacturer origin.

Top to bottom:

- 1/2" female drive plug Model H-161 - probably 1930's - it also has a stamp on the reverse of 5779(3?)8-5
- 1/2" drive Model H-163 - guessing around the 1950's

 

[Username already in use]

While you're on OTC, Here is an H-160 roto head that came with this OTC set. The sockets are Wright made, but I don't know if OTC made the ratchet or not.

 

[twertsy]

While you're on OTC, Here is an H-160 roto head that came with this OTC set. The sockets are Wright made, but I don't know if OTC made the ratchet or not.

Can we see the reverse?

 

[woody 73]

Holy Mother of Batman...I need another box of Kleenex!

 

[Username already in use]

Can we see the reverse?

Sure, but it looks the same as the other side. Drive plug pushes through. One side is marked ON and the other is OFF.

 

[twertsy]

Sure, but it looks the same as the other side. Drive plug pushes through. One side is marked ON and the other is OFF.

Interesting. Seems "Truthish" to me for some unknown reason.....

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[Empty Pockets]

All I can say is WOW!!! Really nice collection, Twertsy. If it was possible, I'd give you a PhD in hand tools

 

[twertsy]

I'm just hoping this will help folks identify stuff they find. Plus, if we can get the ratchet hoarders here, like Stormking, CRTDI, Powderkeg and others to add on it'll be a great reference thread!

All I can say is WOW!!! Really nice collection, Twertsy. If it was possible, I'd give you a PhD in hand tools

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[d42jeep]

While Twertsy is taking a momentary break, I'll sneak in a couple pictures of some Duro and Indestro ratchets.
-Don

 

[twertsy]

Thanks Don, I'll move to Mankato tomorrow and then on to Chicago. Chicago will take me a while!

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[four.cycle]

d42jeep:
Excellent assortment of 3202 and 3202R Indestros and their Duro Chrome equivalents.
I am curious:
According to Alloy-Artifacts.org, that model was originally produced with a 16-tooth mechanism, soon followed by an 18-tooth, and then later replaced with a 36-tooth mechanism.
Of those you have there, do you have all three versions? (see: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6086056#post6086056 )

 

[d42jeep]

The three that I still own, which are the middle three in my pictures, are all 18 tooth.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ Those three all being reversible models causes me to wonder if the earlier non-reversible 3202 model (or its Duro equivalent) was the only one with the 16-tooth action that Alloy-Artifacts.org makes reference to.