When was this ratchet made?

[Methos]

Hello everyone!

Thank you for stopping by to help a newbie.

I just picked up this SK 3/8” (45170) ratchet but I can’t seem to find any information about when it was made.

The SK logo is in between the model number and USA, I don’t see very many of these on eBay or other sites.

If anyone is able and willing to shed some light I would really appreciate it!

Kindly,

 

[four.cycle]

Hello methos and welcome to the site!
You would do better to post your photos and ask over in the vintage S-K thread.
Sorry, I'm not really conversant on S-K myself.

 

[d42jeep]

Welcome to the Garage Journal. Your ratchet is an interesting case and seems to be much less common than the diamond logo 3/8” Drive versions with the patent number on the same side as the part number. Obviously, the ratchet was made after the patent date which was granted in 1941.

The 45470 ratchets with a diamond logo and the patent on the opposite side could conceivably have been made during the short period of time between when S-K was sold to Wayne in 1962 and when Wayne began marking their tools S-K Wayne in 1964. Admittedly, that is a guess on my part but there is a certain amount of logic to it. There is a long span of years between 1941 and 1962 for the ratchets to have been stamped conventionally.
Conventionally stamped ratchets
Unusually stamped ratchet with the patent number stamped on the opposite side.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Obviously, the ratchet was made after the patent date which was granted in 1941.

But in theory, patent law should have required removal of the patent number 17 years after issuance. Supposedly they were pretty strict until recently. This should put the high end at 1958.

n.b., I’m not an SK or patent law expert

 

[Methos]

Welcome to the Garage Journal. Your ratchet is an interesting case and seems to be much less common than the diamond logo 3/8” Drive versions with the patent number on the same side as the part number. Obviously, the ratchet was made after the patent date which was granted in 1941.

The 45470 ratchets with a diamond logo and the patent on the opposite side could conceivably have been made during the short period of time between when S-K was sold to Wayne in 1962 and when Wayne began marking their tools S-K Wayne in 1964. Admittedly, that is a guess on my part but there is a certain amount of logic to it. There is a long span of years between 1941 and 1962 for the ratchets to have been stamped conventionally.
Conventionally stamped ratchets
Unusually stamped ratchet with the patent number stamped on the opposite side.
-Don

Thanks for the information! Would be cool to find a twin for this one

 

[d42jeep]

There is one on eBay at the moment.

Vintage S-K Hand Tools 45170 - 3/8" Drive Reversible Ratchet Wrench USA Tool sk | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage S-K Hand Tools 45170 - 3/8" Drive Reversible Ratchet Wrench USA Tool sk at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

-Don

 

[Methos]

There is one on eBay at the moment.

Vintage S-K Hand Tools 45170 - 3/8" Drive Reversible Ratchet Wrench USA Tool sk | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage S-K Hand Tools 45170 - 3/8" Drive Reversible Ratchet Wrench USA Tool sk at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

-Don

Most excellent find sir!

 

[d42jeep]

I noticed in my search that S-K Wayne ratchets have the patent number marked on the opposite side as well, which kind of confirms my suspicions.
-Don

 

[Methos]

I noticed in my search that S-K Wayne ratchets have the patent number marked on the opposite side as well, which kind of confirms my suspicions.
-Don

I know nothing about these tools, but your logic does seem sound… very impressive research by the way. I feel fairly confident putting this ratchet date somewhere mid 60s then? Would you agree?
Thanks again for all the time you’ve taken to help me out, means a lot!

 

[d42jeep]

Between 1962 and 1964, in my opinion.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

But in theory, patent law should have required removal of the patent number 17 years after issuance. Supposedly they were pretty strict until recently. This should put the high end at 1958.

n.b., I’m not an SK or patent law expert

I don’t believe that they started marking the newer patent number on the 3/8” drive ratchets until after the end of WW2 when the metal restrictions were lifted. All of my wartime finish ratchets have the earlier patent number 1981526 stamped.


-Don

 

[Methos]

Very interesting stuff Don, how many of these ratchets do you have in your collection?

 

[d42jeep]

I did a brief search today and found a total of three. I added two of them to some blue box sets that had conventionally marked ratchets in them. I’m glad that you bought the subject up so my sets would end up being more correct.


-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I received a 1/4” and 3/8” drive version of these ratchets today with the patent number on the opposite side. I wasn’t aware that the 1/4” drive version existed until I spotted this one.
-Don

 

[isb cornbinder]

Hello everyone!

Thank you for stopping by to help a newbie.

I just picked up this SK 3/8” (45170) ratchet but I can’t seem to find any information about when it was made.

The SK logo is in between the model number and USA, I don’t see very many of these on eBay or other sites.

If anyone is able and willing to shed some light I would really appreciate it!

Kindly,

That ratchet is identical to the SK ratchet that was part of a tool set. My Dad bought this SK set in mid December, 1945. Dad was celebrating the birth of his son, or so I was told.
I have the original ratchet and a few other SK ratchets.