S-K 45170 3/8 Inch Square Drive Ratchet 1981526 No Later than 1951 For Sale

Sherman-Klove Company was founded in Chicago by Mason H. Sherman and Noah Grover Klove, initially as a maker of screw-machine products, including cap screws and nuts. It is better known today as S-K. From it’s founding it produced high quality tools in its own brands and contracted to produce for others, in particular Craftsman in the 1930s and 40s. The Company was acquired and reacquired in the late 20th Century, but in 2005 S-K was purchased by its management and operates as the S-K Hand Tools Corporation.This Ratchet one of the iconic models of the mid 20th Century and it represented a significant step mechanically as the first 40 Tooth Ratcheting Mechanism, “(the) large number of teeth enables the mechanic to secure a new bite in each 5° to 6° of the circumference.” This was a near revolution back then.This version of the Ratchet is stamped with what Collectors refer to as the Early Patent. It narrows the period during which it could have been made. Collectors see it this way: On 3/8 Inch Drive Ratchets the Early Patent (1981526) was used through World War II, to about 1951 (see images). After that the Later Patent Number appears (2232477). It is possible that it was produced as early as the late 1930s, but we make no assertions.The Ratchet is fully-functional. The action is smooth and secure. The Switch moves easily. The Ratchet shows little to no evidence of being misused or abused. There is wear evident in typical wear-areas (see images) and bits of plating have been lost (see images).The Ratchet will benefit from some cleaning and could be made pretty enough to fit in a Show-and-Tell Collection, but in-hand it begs to be used. There’s no doubt that with reasonable care this ratchet will last another half century and more, whether being a Show-Off or a working tool.We will ship the Ratchet by USPS Ground Advantage on the next regular business day following payment.