WWII Snap-On Sockets

[Amplifried]

Hello everyone. I have a couple of sockets yall might find interesting and I was wondering what they might be worth. I have 3 Sockets from the WWII era. I have a Snap-On 2 3/16 LV 702, Snap-On 2 1/8 LDH 682 with a 4 stamped after USA and a Snap-On 2 1/16 LDH 662 with a reverse E stamped after the USA. All markings are perfectly legible and have not been altered in any way. The LV stands for Low-alloy Variant and the reverse E and 4 are emergency production orders for WWII and were produced in 1944. The LV 702 has some damage at the top but the other 2 have almost no surface blemishes. That's all I think I know. Lol. Any knowledge anyone can drop on them them would be much appreciated and thank you

 

[Snaparxon]

Where did you get the info on the "V" meaning low alloy variant? I thought it was for military, no warranty?

I don't see any sockets?

 

[Amplifried]

 

[Amplifried]

Give me a minute and I'll post the others. I just got up.

 

[Amplifried]

 

[Amplifried]

The "LV" not just the "V" like you said means Low-alloy Variant. They used a forged alloy during War time production because chromium and vanadium were diverted to armor and aircraft production. Did that help you out??

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I would guess $20 a socket. The issue is very few people need sockets that big. If it were something like a 3/8 drive metric set the demand would huge.

 

[KnurledNut]

Those are 1963 and 1964 date codes. Not wartime.

 

[Amplifried]

Where did you get the info on the "V" meaning low alloy variant? I thought it was for military, no warranty?

I don't see any sockets?

Pictures posted. Waiting on you.......

 

[Oregon Dave]

Hello everyone. I have a couple of sockets yall might find interesting and I was wondering what they might be worth. I have 3 Sockets from the WWII era. I have a Snap-On 2 3/16 LV 702, Snap-On 2 1/8 LDH 682 with a 4 stamped after USA and a Snap-On 2 1/16 LDH 662 with a reverse E stamped after the USA. All markings are perfectly legible and have not been altered in any way. The LV stands for Low-alloy Variant and the reverse E and 4 are emergency production orders for WWII and were produced in 1944. The LV 702 has some damage at the top but the other 2 have almost no surface blemishes. That's all I think I know. Lol. Any knowledge anyone can drop on them them would be much appreciated and thank you

First Welcome.

There is a tremendous amount of wartime tool talent at the Vintage Tool thread; highly suggest you post over to them; again welcome aboard, nice folks here with a lot to share.

 

[Amplifried]

Those are 1963 and 1964 date codes. Not wartime.

That's why I'm asking is to find out. Your right on the one but the one with the reverse E is from 1944. Look at how unperfect the stampings are compared to the one with the 4. That's because it was an emergency run and they were hand stamped in a rush.

 

[Amplifried]

First Welcome.

There is a tremendous amount of wartime tool talent at the Vintage Tool thread; highly suggest you post over to them; again welcome aboard, nice folks here with a lot to share.

Thank you. I wasn't sure where to post exactly.

 

[shakenfake]

1944 had a regular E

 

[OneEyedMan]

Here are a couple E and G sockets and ratchets I have. One of my minor SO obsessions, along with pre-Kenosha tools

 

[Amplifried]

1944 had a regular E

From roughly 1942-1945 you will see non standardized punches. Reverse E, LV etc. They indicated emergency/contract runs. If you look at the LDH 662 USA and the backwards E and the LV 702 one you can see how unperfect and uneven the stamp marks are compared to the 682 one. That's because they were punched in a rush.

 

[OneEyedMan]

Here’s a 1” drive socket, no date code but from the time frame of the war. Notably it’s a reissue, not sure what that means.

 

[lotus_esprit]

That logo wasn’t used on tools until the 50’s for a start

 

[Snaparxon]

The "LV" not just the "V" like you said means Low-alloy Variant. They used a forged alloy during War time production because chromium and vanadium were diverted to armor and aircraft production. Did that help you out??

Thank you for the pics they really help.
Your sockets are not wartime because they are chrome plated. The L designates 3/4" or 1" drive and the "V" indicates military and no warranty. Search for Snap on MV 1/4" drive, FV 3/8" drive and SV 1/2" drive stuff on Ebay, all military and no warranty. As stated above by Knurlednut ,the two date codes are 1963 and 1964.
Curious, where are you getting the LV means low alloy variant formation?

Here are a couple E and G sockets and ratchets I have. One of my minor SO obsessions, along with pre-Kenosha tools

OneEyedMan, thanks for posting, those are the wartime E and G date codes and sockets with out chrome plating.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

The early 1940s were marked by World War II and the military experienced severe tool shortages as a result. As a preferred supplier to the government, Snap-on was called into action, producing tools that kept air and ground equipment operating. Wartime demands also led to product innovations. To increase durability of hand tools, the military upgraded the Snap-on material specifications and authorized buying nickel alloy steel, which ultimately became a Snap-on standard. To meet specific demands, hand tools for aviation and large sockets and wrenches for heavy military equipment were also developed.

That's from the Snap-On website.

I agreed with everyone on here saying these tools are from the 60s and not the war effort like you think. Where are you getting this information about war time production being emergency orders and the LV meaning lower quality. It looks like the war effort increased there quality...

 

[cgrutt]

That logo wasn’t used on tools until the 50’s for a start

IDK about that isn't this the same logo on the 1945 catalog?

 

[Snaparxon]

IDK about that isn't this the same logo on the 1945 catalog?

I thought Lotus_esprit was referring to the OP's sockets logo being after the 50's, not
OneEyedMan's socket.

 

[cgrutt]

I thought Lotus_esprit was referring to the OP's sockets logo being after the 50's not ,OneEyedMan's socket?

Yes, but looks like the logo on sockets was used as early as 1945 no? So statement that it wasn't used until the 50s doesn’t appear to be correct. I don't know when the tools were from but seems plausible they could be mid 40s, at least based on logo.

ETA BTW I'm comparing the logos in post 3 and 5 with 1945 catalog.

 

[Caa311]

Here are a couple E and G sockets and ratchets I have. One of my minor SO obsessions, along with pre-Kenosha tools

I have sockets like these. 1/2 drive most are marked G, one of them is marked 1B. They have sw followed by some numbers also.

 

[Snaparxon]

Yes, but looks like the logo on sockets was used as early as 1945 no? So statement that it wasn't used until the 50s doesn’t appear to be correct. I don't know when the tools were from but seems plausible they could be mid 40s, at least based on logo.

ETA BTW I'm comparing the logos in post 3 and 5 with 1945 catalog.

I would say no, the letters shown on the 1945 catalog are vertical, the OP's lettering is slightly canted and the date codes are clearly 1963 and 1964.

 

[Amplifried]

Here’s a 1” drive socket, no date code but from the time frame of the war. Notably it’s a reissue, not sure what that means.

Do you want to know what you have there my friend?? You have a legal re issue of Snap-Ons ORIGINAL 1920'S socket patent. Ultra Rare bro.

 

[cgrutt]

I would say no, the letters shown on the 1945 catalog are vertical, the OP's lettering is slightly canted and the date codes are clearly 1963 and 1964.

OK. Here's the logo from 63 its absolutely not logo used on OP's sockets. Just look at the "S". 45 logo uses a distinctive serif at both ends. These are on socket in pictures. The 63 logo is non-serif. Maybe date codes are wrong?

 

[cgrutt]

More evidence suggesting OP's sockets may be earlier than 1960s. Looks like they dropped the serif in logo beginning in 1944. Logo on OP's sockets was used through 1944. At least according to this which admittedly is just off the Interwebz.



Can't say I ever saw the logo shown between 1944 and 1948 but others are recognizable.

 

[Snaparxon]

OK. Here's the logo from 63 its absolutely not logo used on OP's sockets. Just look at the "S". 45 logo uses a distinctive serif at both ends. These are on socket in pictures. The 63 logo is non-serif. Maybe date codes are wrong?

I get your point, but you are looking at a logo on the catalog, look at the logo's stamped on the tools in the catalog.
I left my phone at work so I can't post pics but I have 2 wrenches that are stamped 1962 and 1964 and have the same script as the OP's sockets.

 

[cgrutt]

I get your point, but you are looking at a logo on the catalog, look at the logo's stamped on the tools in the catalog.
I left my phone at work so I can't post pics but I have 2 wrenches that are stamped 1962 and 1964 and have the same script as the OP's

Absolutely I'm just looking at logos no idea when they transferred over to actual tools.

 

[Snaparxon]

Absolutely I'm just looking at logos no idea when they transferred over to actual tools.

The same Snap on logo on the OP's sockets shows up on tools pictured in my Snap on 100 catalog from 1990.

 

[cgrutt]

The same Snap on logo on the OP's sockets shows up on tools pictured in my Snap on 100 catalog from 1990.

I just checked I have some with that logo too. No idea what years they're from.

 

[Snaparxon]

None have date codes on them?

Link in your sig to Ebay is no good

 

[cgrutt]

None have date codes on them?

Sorry I didn't look. I'll look tomorrow.

 

[OneEyedMan]

Just for fun, here’s a small handful of 9/32 drive “E” sockets and a “G” stamped ratchet. The extension and ratchet look hand stamped. These are from my 9/32 and 5/8 drive Snappy drawer

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve been collecting WW2 tools for quite some time and the OP’s sockets are obviously chrome plated which would have been in violation of the wartime metal restrictions.
-Don

 

[snapmom]

There was another war in the 60s, lots of V items made for that.