K 55

[simplewrench62]

Hi guys. I recently bought a K 55 R chest and a RK 50 R Cab. I have been trying to find a date code or any other stamping. Any help with locating where this is. Thanks for any help you can provide.

[snapmom]

Snap on started stamping model numbers and years on the back of the boxes in the mid 50s. So if its older, you would just have to have a date range for the mfg date.

[simplewrench62]

Okay I appreciate the info. According to the info on the main site they were made between 1941 and 1946. I have looked around on the web for value info but to no avail. Good sturdy boxes though no doubt about that. Tom

[J.A.F.E.]

I have a K 55 R and you are correct it is a nice box. The asking price was $50 and I thought it nice enough to pay that so I didn't even bargain with the seller. Mine has the original lock that still works and one original key. So it was worth 50 to me.

[simplewrench62]

Thought I'd add a picture of the box set I bought K55r rk50r with a kra429 in the middle. All complete including the front panels and tool caddy.

Snapon.JPG (36.77 KiB) Viewed 4925 times

[snapmom]

Those old boxes can still talk. Nice to see them.

[simplewrench62]

Now the question is do I keep them and use them as is, they look kind of cool as is and they aren't very rusty just some paint missing here and there. Or do I restore them? Or do I sell them for a profit because I bought them reasonably? I haven't seen any complete listings on ebay to compare for value and I don't need that much storage. I will keep the KRA-429 for sure, but I need a crystal ball to determine the rest I guess. Oh well just rambling.

[skipskip]

Give them a good cleaning and maybe a little wax.

Then live with them for a while.

I bet they will grow on you.

Skip

[Frank Murch]

On the Dates. The K and KR series were OEM manufactured and they do not have a date code on them, BUT there is another way to date the box.

If you look carefully at the listings, Snap on ran a box for a few years and then changed most of them. The length, height and depth tended to grow, and the pulls changed. On the highest runners - the time between changes was longer, but a careful study can pin this date down to a narrow window.

If you want to answer the original question - I think that was 'what is the date of the box' - a little study and a ruler will take you there.

In any case - great find. A nice old box