UnMarked Plumb Ratchet?

[7th Kahuna]

Alright Plumb collectors, what do you think, is this a Plumb?

The only cast mark I can see is the 'O' on the back of the handle and the only clue to it's history is where someone marked it 'USN A+R' (US Navy Assembly & Repair) beneath the layers of olive green and yellow paint. It is a 3/8" ratchet. I also picked up a 6" by 1/4" extension marked USN A&R but that one is clearly marked Plumb on the side. I searched the net for pictures of Plumb ratchets and found similar but nothing exactly the same however I'm thinking the mechanism could be the key. I say yes, Plumb. What do you think?

I didn't really need a 6" ratchet but I am always game for $1 Mysteries.

Going to get it cleaned up and lubed and drop it in my box.

 

[3baygarage]

Sure is. It's a PLOMB.

 

[7th Kahuna]

Now that's a distinction I hadn't thought of before, Plumb vs Plomb.

In yet another commentary on the quality of finish on many of today's tools, this ratchet had been sitting in a garage window for a number of years at a home less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean. For those who aren't familiar, the salt air tends to have a negative effect on the finish of many metallic items. Attached to this wrench was a Taiwan made 1/2" chrome socket which looked as though it had spent years outdoors, rust through the chrome, that is until you flipped it over and it was shiny on the bottom. All the damage was from sitting in this window. Look at the wrench, no chrome or rust. Not sure what that finish was, but it worked. Before I left, I returned the 1/2" socket to the single open spot in the NOS Alltrade box with all it's unused shiny friends to await the next customer.

 

[7th Kahuna]

Amazing what you find when you spell Plomb with an 'o' instead of a 'u'. Atleast I'm not the only one.

thanks

 

[lbgradwell]

Unmarked WF-series...

 

[Plombob]

Unmarked WF-series...

Yup.

That's a tough ratchet, but the handle is not to my liking. The finish is likely Cadmium.

 

[dumper]

maybe this will help. Here's a picture of a "PLVMB" that I bought at a thrift shop...for $1! Works great, and sure looks like yours.Overall length is 7".

 

[7th Kahuna]

^ Cool, that's it, and the first exact match (minus the name of course) that I have seen including both the two round head screws and pinched outline in the face plate. I appreciate your posting the pictures.

And for my favorite price.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Plumb and Plomb...not just different companies, they were mortal enemies!

 

[Pumpman1968]

Plumb and Plomb...not just different companies, they were mortal enemies!

Like......lawsuits and everything!

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

And the enmity is spawning new generations of haters, like the middle east...
I like Plumb hammers, but will only buy them used...can't bear to give a cent to the coffers of the evil Plumb company!!
Once I complete my collection of Plomb tools, I plan to start a collection of skulls of Plumb lawyers.