Vintage Snap On Tool Box

[Maui]

I just picked up this vintage Snap-On tool box yesterday. They used some heavy gage steel in the construction of this box so it's pretty heavy for its size. The handle is obviously missing. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what type of handle it is supposed to have and maybe provide some insight into how old it really is. Is there a way to establish its age?

Maui

 

[Shiftless]

Back in the day, I'm guessing prior to WW2, tool boxes often had leather handles like this one. Your attachment points look similar.
I will go ahead and guess your box is from the 1930's
Others with more experience than I might be able to fine tune my estimate.

Calling all SnapOn experts...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That is a 1940ish leather handle 3/4 drive box. I have one I repainted for a scotch box

 

[snapmom]

Close to 40. Leather 3/4 drive.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Back in the day, I'm guessing prior to WW2, tool boxes often had leather handles like this one.

Not speaking about this 3/4-inch drive socket set box from Snap-On in particular, but just as an FYI, many toolboxes had leather handles through most of the war, including the hip roof cantilevered types made by Kennedy and Simonsen, and the M1, M4 and M5 armorer's boxes made by Union and others. These boxes start showing up with steel handles later in the war (1945).

 

[Lassen Forge]

Close to 40. Leather 3/4 drive.

Pretty cool! I was thinking older (looking at the logo, the small hinges, and the hasp), maybe 40's, early 50's?

My late 40's-early 50's era Kennedy (from my dad) has leather handles held onto points like that by rings, and similar hardware (tho it has piano hinges on it).

That is a 1940ish leather handle 3/4 drive box. I have one I repainted for a scotch box

That is just so cool words fail me.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That might make a nice thread, re purposed old toolboxes

 

[Maui]

Thanks for all of the information everyone. I believe I have exactly the type of leather handle on hand that this box needs. I'll strip off the old paint and repaint it Snap-On red, since it appears to be red underneath the black.

Oldtuleguy, I love the way you repurposed that box! Can you tell me specifically what type and color of paint you used in your restoration?

Maui

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Boxes of that Era were usually dark gray. That may have been painted many times. I painted mine 68 plymouth red because I had some left from a car I painted. Here is a pic of mid thirties box and it is probably similar in color to what yours would have been. This one is 1934 I believe, at least that is the date on the ratchet.

 

[d42jeep]

Because I pick up a lot of early toolboxes often missing their leather handles, I am always on the lookout at estate or garage sales for dilapidated vintage luggage with intact handles to repurpose.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those are the handles, or at least very similar.

 

[snapmom]

If red. rustoleum sunrise red is a close match. Box would have started life as grey.

 

[Maui]

Hmm...maybe I should paint it the color of that era instead. Oldtuleguy, that box from 1934 almost looks like a dark teal color. Is there a Rustoleum color that could be a close match to the original color?

I have a leather handle in very good condition that I can take from a very old Union wood tool box and use on this Snap-On box instead. The Union box is not in great shape otherwise.

Maui

 

[Oldtuleguy]

It's a dark grey

 

[smartjaw]

Just picked up one that looks like it might be from the 50's - any ideas on the age? Would love to find a matching bottom box. No numbers on it that I have seen so far.

 

[thehorse13]

Just picked up one that looks like it might be from the 50's - any ideas on the age? Would love to find a matching bottom box. No numbers on it that I have seen so far.

Very late 40s. No date codes on these old KR56 top boxes when they are this old. The KR350 rollers that match this fella can still be found in the wild with some degree of ease.