What is it?

[Squddle]

I found this auction on Ebay and wondered if anyone here knows what it is? I tried to google it and research it on Snapon website, but no luck.... Here's a link to the auction.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/112034883725?ul_noapp=true

 

[Squddle]

 

[3baygarage]

That is an interesting one, never seen it before. It has the 40's war time look. I bet it could be a specialty socket for the military, maybe aircraft.

 

[MattVette89]

If snapmom doesn't know...the world may never know...

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1584

 

[leg17]

Could it have been user modified?
Does that part number match a standard part?

 

[Bierisch]

Looks like maybe there was an extractor on it like a rifle or something maybe to hold nuts/bolts in the socket when working with them because they're small?

 

[gdocktor3]

Certainly a "special" socket. I'm dying to know what it is. Some type of multi purpose adjustment socket or something that can be used for hex fasteners, or use to hold bits with the threaded hole?

The funny thing is it was originally listed at $100. The seller thought he would get lucky.

 

[gorilla]

MY guess is that the slot on the side of the socket once contained a leaf spring that held the nut or bolt in the socket in place. It may have been needed to assemble something in an difficult spot where loss of the fastner would be unacceptable.

 

[texasranger]

MY guess is that the slot on the side of the socket once contained a leaf spring that held the nut or bolt in the socket in place. It may have been needed to assemble something in an difficult spot where loss of the fastner would be unacceptable.

I agree. The description says the hole is threaded so a screw probably held the retainer onto the side of the socket, perhaps with a spring in the larger circular part.

 

[ddawg16]

It's a "RARE Vintage Holy Grail esque Obsolete Snap-On Tools Specialty Keyed Socket 589A"

Not the first time a tool was made for just one job.

 

[spooler41]

This looks like some kind of security nut removal tool, I can imaging a
nut with a vertical wing to block a standard socket from being used.
Just my guess!


........... Jack.

 

[Packard V8]

MY guess is that the slot on the side of the socket once contained a leaf spring that held the nut or bolt in the socket in place. It may have been needed to assemble something in an difficult spot where loss of the fastner would be unacceptable.

X2 - some obscure aircraft or early aerospace application where spending your tax dollars was not a concern.

jack vines