Williams BT-50.

[ganymede]

Don't see to many of these.
It's 3/8 drive and because the handle is removable it's customizable. They made a longer handle but mine didn't come with it.
The fit between the different parts is kinda jiggly. Not junky but nothing for a manufacturer to be proud of either.
It's got a 40 tooth gear that meshes with a typical looking, pivoting double toothed pawl. It's held together with a snap ring but for the life of me I can't figure out how the switch lever is held in.
Overall though I think it's a cool ratchet .
Here it is (bottom) next to a b52 and a b51 ...
View media item 77229View media item 77230View media item 77231Gear. Interesting thing i noticed the teeth don't mesh like the kress patent williams pear
head ratchets..
View media item 77233

 

[mikebaker1129]

I got ne at a pawn shop for $6, but it was missing the drive plug.
I do not see many of them.

 

[ganymede]

Still worth the 6 bucks though.
Eventually you'll find a plug for it even if it isn't a Williams.

 

[davethorik]

That's a very cool ratchet, don't believe I've ever seen one before. And a double male extension for a handle...I dig the modular design.

 

[ganymede]

Agreed, it is a cool idea.
They even made a swivel drive plug for it.
I just wish the tolerances were a little tighter.

 

[Recordus]

Very nice. Any idea when it was made?

 

[ganymede]

Thank you.
I saw them in an early 60's catalog but when they started n stopped I don't know.
I suspect they didn't make them that long or they would be a little more common.
Who knows though. Maybe they actually produced them for quite a while but they just weren't very popular.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Mine is marked Vulcan,but bears the Williams stamp on a couple pieces.
Mine is a bit gritty feeling even after cleaning and oiling.

I am still on the hunt for a drive plug !

 

[ganymede]

Interesting.
Mine doesn't say williams on any of the pieces, just the w in a diamond logo and the part #.
All the pieces are marked though.