Weird Snap On date code

[Josephs44]

I bought a 1/4" Snap On breaker bar (TM10) at a garage sale this morning. The date code is "F". I know of "G" and "E" from '44 and '45 but not "F". It isn't an "E" for "exchange" either.

Anybody have any clue what the "F" is from?

 

[P51Boilermaker]

Have a picture of it?

 

[jakemac]

We're definitely going to need to see a picture of this one !
Are you sure it isn't an E that has been mis-struck ?

 

[P51Boilermaker]

We're definitely going to need to see a picture of this one !
Are you sure it isn't an E that has been mis-struck ?

That's my guess. The die may have been filled with grease or dirt and didn't strike the tool correctly. Happens at the US Mint occasionally. Coin dates are particularly susceptible.

 

[Josephs44]

Here's a pic.

 

[Josephs44]

Another.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Don't look like a mis-strike to me.

 

[48548]

I thought tm10f was the part number for the tool......

 

[G_P]

I thought tm10f was the part number for the tool......

Yeah thats the part number. Google brings up lots of 1/4" breaker bars marked TM10F

 

[jakemac]

I thought tm10f was the part number for the tool......

BINGO !!!
TM-10 is only part of the model number.
The full model number is TM-10-F.
The date code (if there is one) would be elsewhere on the tool.

 

[Josephs44]

BINGO indeed.

I'll have to go check for the code somewhere else then.

 

[jakemac]

From what I understand, there was a short period in the late 70's (?) when SO didn't stamp the date code. So, depending in when the tool was made, there may not be a date code to find.

 

[ken w.]

I have a number of SO tools without date codes.

 

[Adam Aragon]

Same question, mine has the F and a Z.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Same answer: model number.

 

[lugnut71]

Date code is between the off and on

 

[Bighead38]

Date code is between the off and on

That might be hard to find on a breaker bar.

 

[KnurledNut]

Same question, mine has the F and a Z.

On yours:
The “F” is part of the model number.
The “Z” is the date code. 1962.

 

[vjquan]

Date code is between the off and on

That might be hard to find on a breaker bar.

I think he means when you flip the head over 180 degrees.