what does this stamp mean?

[bear1146]

I recently purchased a set of sockets online. Upon receiving them I found out that I did not receive a "set" as advertised but rather 16 sockets with a couple of duplicates. When purchasing them I had no idea how old they really were, I just wanted a shallow impact socket set from a good name brand. The sockets range from 7/16" to 1 7/16". They all have the knurled band around the center of them with the S over O stamped on them. They also have " E J K" stamped on them. What does all this mean? If they are as old as I think they are should I still use them as impact sockets? or should I save them as an antique? Are they really worth anything other than just using them as I would any socket? Thank you for your time and any comments are appreciated.

[agmechjake]

S O overstrike sockets are very early Snap on sockets from the 1920's. They are NOT impact sockets. Should be worth some bucks, as a nice "set" is harder to find than individual sockets. Post a pic.

[Frank]

They are pre 1927, Snap On OEMed the first sockets from the outside and these were stamped S over O. As sockets, they split and they are heavy, but very nice to have.

[chad s]

The date codes came in in 1927, but the strike over socket era is generally believed to be from around 1921-24, however evidence has turned up to suggest that they were still being sold or possible marked off the production line as late as 1925. There is a marking difference between the S/O era, and the date code era, with a different sized and shaped "Snap-on" logo.

The EJK stamp is an owner marking, and is not uncommon, and for this era, just adds character and history to them.


Are any of the S/O marked sockets you have 4 point?

[bear1146]

No, I do not have any 4 point sockets Chad S., they are all 6 point in what I would consider really good shape. I tried to upload a couple of pics of what I have. The pics show where it is stamped with the EJK and also the letter F. The second pic shows the S/O overstrike. This is the way they all are with the exception of a duplicate 7/8" which is numbered 280. The other sockets are sized accordingly as 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 11/16, 13/16, 25/32, 7/8, 15/16, 15/16, 31/32, 1, 1 1/8, 1 1/4, 1 3/8, 1 7/16. It was called a 16 piece set even though it is missing a few.

[chad s]

No, I do not have any 4 point sockets Chad S., they are all 6 point in what I would consider really good shape. I tried to upload a couple of pics of what I have. The pics show where it is stamped with the EJK and also the letter F. The second pic shows the S/O overstrike. This is the way they all are with the exception of a duplicate 7/8" which is numbered 280. The other sockets are sized accordingly as 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 11/16, 13/16, 25/32, 7/8, 15/16, 15/16, 31/32, 1, 1 1/8, 1 1/4, 1 3/8, 1 7/16. It was called a 16 piece set even though it is missing a few.

Are they all 1/2 drive? Standard issue over 31/32 would be 5/8 drive, and the drive sizes crossed over in the larger 1/2 drive sizes and smaller 5/8 drive sizes. There were some exceptions to the rule, and 1/2 drive over 31/32 have turned up. If you have any larger 1/2 drive sizes and would be interested in selling them, let me know.

[snapmom]

How many are 1/2 dr. how many are overstrikes, is the 1-7/16 a overstrike, if so what is the measerment for the height.

[bear1146]

I am sorry about the pics folks but I just can't get them to attach. However I will keep trying. I did not notice before but the bigger sizes are 5/8 drive. The biggest 1/2 drives are the 1" and the 7/8". They are all overstrike except for the 1/2 in.dr. 9/16 and the 5/8 in.dr. 7/8 sockets. The 1 7/16" socket has the overstrike and is 2" deep. To be honest I don't know much about these and would like to learn a little more about them before I sell them.