arly socket labeling
Shown here are a series of sockets and the logos or labels on them. These are sorted.
The first is known to be early. This is the “S over O” sockets and they are likely the second series. It may be the first 1920s series were unmarked
The 2nd photo is not date stamped, but it appears to be pre 1927. I speculate these are 1925/6 sockets. The label is smaller than those that follow, The ends of the S and spears. It is unclear if the underline is always unbroken. Also the location of the socket number and measure is on either side. This is only true with this style logo
The 3rd photo is clearly 1927. On the S there are “Feet”, the underline is broken. The entire logo is much bigger particularly up and down.
The 4th photo is clearly 1928 I see little to no difference between this and the 1927 logo
The 5th photo is clearly 1929. The “a” is shaped differently. The knurls are lighter
1/2 Early Sockets
Double broached | Sizes | Date range |
DH-140 | 7/16 | 1931-1941 |
DH-160 | ½ | 1928-1941 |
DH-180 | 9/16 | 1928-1941 |
DH-190 | 19/32 | 1931-1941 |
DH-200 | 5/8 | 1928-1941 |
DH-220 | 11/16 | 1928-1941 |
DH-240 | ¾ | 1928-1941 |
DH-250 | 25/32 | 1931-1941 |
DH-260 | 13/16 | 1931-1941 |
DH-280 | 7/8 | 1931-1941 |
DH-300 ½ | 15/16 | 1931-1941 |
DH-310 ½ | 31/32 | 1931-1941 |
DH-320 ½ | 1 | 1931-1941 |
Pre 1929 sockets
Here is a set from 1925/6 these are single broached. The knurled changes a little from socket to socket (rub wear?). There is a story behind these. It is not certain but these may have been sold to Snap on as finished blanks from Milwaukee Tool and Forge Company
Single Hex | Size | Date Range |
No. 140 | 7/16 | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 160 | ½ | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 180 | 9/16 | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 190 | 19/32 | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 200 | 5/8 | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 220 | 11/16 | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 240 | ¾ | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 250 | 25/32 | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 260 | 13/16 | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 280 | 7/8 | Pre 1923- 1935 |
No. 300 | 15/16 | Pre 1923- 1927 |
No. 300 ½ | 15/16 | 1926-1932 |
No. 310 | 31/32 | Pre 1923 |
No. 310 ½ | 31/32 | 1925– 1932 |
No. 320 | 1 | Pre 1923- |
No. 320 ½ | 1 | 1925- 1932 |
No. 340 | 1 1/16 | Pre 1923- |
No. 340 ½ | 1 1/16 | 1932 |
No. 360 | 1 1/8 | Pre 1923- |
No. 360 ½ | 1 1/8 | 1932 |
No. 400 | 1 ¼ | Pre 1923- |
No. 400 ½ | 1 ¼ | 1932 |
No. 440 | 1 3/8 | Pre 1923- |
No. 460 | 1 7/16 | Pre 1923- |
No. 480 | 1 ½ | Pre 1923- |
The DH series are the same, but double broached
1/2 1931-1937 Sockets
1939 example
From 1931 – 1935 the style here was sold along side with the TW, S and SW series. The TW, S and SW style is thinner walled, Cadmium plated and with a styled knurled base. I have a large number of early sockets, but not a lot of these, so my information is weak
Single Broached | Sizes | Date Range |
TW-140 | 7/16 | 1936-1948 |
TW-160 | ½ | 1936-1948 |
TW-180 | 9/16 | 1936-1948 |
TW-190 | 19/32 | 1936-1941 |
TW-200 | 5/8 | 1936-1948 |
TW-220 | 11/16 | 1936-1948 |
TW-240 | ¾ | 1936-1948 |
TW-260 | 13/16 | 1936-1948 |
TW-280 | 7/8 | 1936-1948 |
TW-300 ½ | 15/16 | 1936-1948 |
TW-320 ½ | 1 | 1946-1948 |
1/2 1937-1946 Sockets
1939 example
From 1936 – 1946 the style here was sold. These are very common and were sold during WWII is a oil finish.
1/2 Square Drive Sockets | Size | Date Range |
SW-120 | 3/8 | 1937 – 1948 |
SW-140 | 7/16 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-160 | ½ | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-180 | 9/16 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-190 | 19/32 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-200 | 5/8 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-220 | 11/16 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-240 | ¾ | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-250 | 25/32 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-260 | 13/16 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-280 | 7/8 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-290 | 29/32 (shackle bolt work) | 1937 – 1948 |
SW-300 ½ | 15/16 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-320 ½ | 1 | 1931 – 1948 |
SW-340 ½ | 1 1/16 | 1932 – 1948 |
SW-360 ½ | 1 1/8 | 1932 – 1948 |
SW-380 ½ | 2 3/16 | 1933 – 1948 |
SW-400 ½ | 1 ¼ | 1932 – 1948 |
1/2 Deep Sockets
Very rare 1/2 drive deep wells from 1927. Photo courtesy of Ken and Roseanne Johnson
Very rare 1/2 drive deep wells from 1927. I speculate (as in no proof) these were OEM purchased through Milwaukee Tool & Forge Company (MTF) and stamped with the Snap-On name
1/2 Deep Sockets
1920s S deep socket set.
Photo courtesy of Ken and Roseanne Johnson
I have a guess that series were the first generation made by Snap on. They learned and quickly changed them to the next generation. These are rare.
½ Square Deep Drive Sockets | Sizes | Date Range |
S-160 | ½ | 1929-1948 |
S-180 | 9/16 | 1929-1948 |
S-200 | 5/8 | 1929-1948 |
S-220 | 11/16 | 1929-1948 |
S-240 Originally for body panels | ¾ | 1927-1948 |
S-250 | 25/32 | 1929-1941 |
S-260 | 13/16 | 1931-1948 |
S-280 Originally for body panels | 7/8 | 1927-1948 |
S-300 | 15/16 | 1929-1931 |
S-300 ½ | 15/16 | 1929-1948 |
S-320 ½ | 1 | 1929-1948 |
S-340 | 1 1/16 | 1929-1931 |
S-340 ½ | 1 1/16 | 1929-1948 |
S-360 ½ | 1 1/8 | 1931-1948 |
S-400 | 1 1/4 | 1929 |
S-460 | 1 7/16 | 1929 |
1/2 Square Cut Sockets
Early singel broached Squares
Milled Square Sockets appeared in the first 1923 catalog and continued with no apparent changes until 1929 when the double broached version was introduced – no part number change to indicate this variation. There are reasons to pick single or double broaching. When the bolt head is dimensionally imperfect (undersized) a single broached socket is a better choice because it can get a grip on the sides as well as the corners. When the bolt head is accurate the double broaching allows the socket to mount the bolt easier and it is much better in low clearance areas. One can get it on the bolt at twice the angles as its ½ brother.
1/2 Double Broached Squares
Double Broached squares
These are listed
1/2 Square Drive Sockets | Size | Date range |
412 | 3/8 | Pre 1923-1950 |
414 | 7/16 | Pre 1923-1950 |
416 | ½ | Pre 1923-1950 |
418 | 9/16 | Pre 1923-1950 |
420 | 5/8 | Pre 1923-1950 |
422 | 11/16 | Pre 1923-1950 |
424 | ¾ | Pre 1923-1950 |
425 | 25/32 | 1933 -1941 |
426 | 13/16 | 1927-1950 |
428 | 7/8 | Pre 1923-1950 |
432 | 1 | Pre 1923-1950 |
1/2 Pattern Confusion 1931-1953
1953 Catalog Drawing
In 1931 this style was introduced. The claims for these were the better finish (lustrous cadmium plate), better durability, machined from solid bars of Chrome Vanadium or special alloy tool steel. They were accurately broached and heat treated. It has thinner walls and a better finish. It is unclear to me when this pattern actually changed. In the catalogs 1945 shows a drawing of the new pattern, but I have no examples of these sockets to confirm. In 1948 and 1950 the drawings are back to the old pattern. Then in 1953 through the 1970s the double ribbed pattern was introduced. So there is some “fog” in my understanding of exactly what was offered after the late 1930s and before 1953. In any event, these are all 400 series sockets
1/2” Square Drive Sockets | Size | Date range |
SW-412 | 3/8 | 1953-1978 |
SW-414 | 7/16 | 1953-1978 |
SW-416 | ½ | 1953-1978 |
SW-418 | 9/16 | 1953-1978 |
SW-420 | 5/8 | 1953-1978 |
SW-422 | 11/16 | 1953-1978 |
SW-424 | ¾ | 1953-1978 |
SW-426 | 13/16 | 1953-1978 |
SW-428 | 7/8 | 1953-1978 |
SW-432 | 1 | 1953-1978 |
1/2 Late SW Sockets
Early socket labeling
Note this is a totally new style. Short, Double Broached
Sockets | Size | Date Range |
SW-121 | 3/8 | 1950-1975 |
SW-141 | 7/16 | 1950-1975 |
SW-161 | ½ | 1950-1975 |
SW-181 | 9/16 | 1950-1975 |
SW-191 | 19/32 | 1950-1975 |
SW-201 | 5/8 | 1950-1975 |
SW-221 | 11/16 | 1950-1975 |
SW-241 | ¾ | 1950-1975 |
SW-251 | 25/32 | 1950-1975 |
SW-261 | 13/16 | 1950-1975 |
SW-281 | 7/8 | 1950-1975 |
SW-291 | 29/32 (shackle bolt work) | 1950-1975 |
SW-301 | 15/16 | 1950-1975 |
SW-321 | 1 | 1950-1975 |
SW-341 | 1 1/16 | 1950-1975 |
SW-361 | 1 1/8 | 1950-1975 |
SW-381 | 2 3/16 | 1950-1975 |
SW-401 | 1 ¼ | 1950-1975 |
SW-421 | 1 5/16 | 1958-1975 |
SW-441 | 1 3/8 | 1967-1975 |
SW-461 | 1 7/16 | 1967-1975 |
SW-481 | 1 ½ | 1967-1975 |
1/2 Late TW Sockets
Pre 1929 sockets
TW series is a single broached short socket
Single Hex | Sizes | Date range |
TW-121 | 3/8 | 1950-1975 |
TW-141 | 7/16 | 1950-1975 |
TW-161 | ½ | 1950-1975 |
TW-181 | 9/16 | 1950-1975 |
TW-191 | 19/32 | 1950-1975 |
TW-201 | 5/8 | 1950-1975 |
TW-221 | 11/16 | 1950-1975 |
TW-241 | ¾ | 1950-1975 |
TW-251 | 25/32 | 1950-1975 |
TW-261 | 13/16 | 1950-1975 |
TW-281 | 7/8 | 1950-1975 |
TW-301 | 15/16 | 1950-1975 |
TW-321 | 1 | 1950-1975 |
TW-341 | 1 1/16 | 1950-1975 |
TW-361 | 1 1/8 | 1950-1975 |
TW-381 | 1 3/16 | 1950-1975 |
TW-401 | 1 ¼ | 1950-1975 |
TW-421 | 1 5/16 | 1967-1975 |
TW-441 | 1 13/16 | 1975 |
TW-461 | 1 16/16 | 1975 |
TW-481 | 2 | 1975 |
Single Hex Thick Walls – Acorn Nuts | Sizes | Date range |
TW-241S – | ¾ | 1950-1960 |
TW-261S | 13/16 | 1953- |
TW-281S | 7/8 | 1953- |
TW-301S | 15/16 | 1953- |
1/2 1931-1937 Sockets
1939 example
Deep socket, double broached
Deep | Sizes | Date |
S-121 | 3/8 | 1967-1975 |
S-141 | 7/16 | 1967-1975 |
S-161 | ½ | 1950-1975 |
S-181 | 9/16 | 1950-1975 |
S-201 | 5/8 | 1950-1975 |
S-221 | 11/16 | 1950-1975 |
S-241 | ¾ | 1950-1975 |
S-251 | 25/32 | 1950-1975 |
S-261 | 13/16 | 1950-1975 |
S-281 | 7/8 | 1950-1975 |
S-301 | 15/16 | 1950-1975 |
S-321 | 1 | 1950-1975 |
S-341 | 1 1/16 | 1950-1975 |
S-361 | 1 1/8 | 1950-1975 |
S-381 | 1 3/16 | 1967-1975 |
S-401 | 1 ¼ | 1967-1975 |
S-421 | 1 5/16 | 1967-1975 |
S-441 | 1 13/16 | 1975 |
S-461 | 1 16/16 | 1975 |
S-481 | 2 | 1975 |
1/2 Late TS series Sockets
Deep socket, single broached
single broached deep | Sizes | Date Range |
TS-121 | 3/8 | 1967-1975 |
TS-141 | 7/16 | 1967-1975 |
TS-161 | ½ | 1955-1975 |
TS-181 | 9/16 | 1955-1975 |
TS-201 | 5/8 | 1955-1975 |
TS-221 | 11/16 | 1962-1975 |
TS-241 | ¾ | 1962-1975 |
TS-261 | 13/16 | 1962-1975 |
TS-281 | 7/8 | 1962-1975 |
TS-301 | 15/16 | 1967-1975 |
TS-321 | 1 | 1967-1975 |
TS-341 | 1 1/16 | 1967-1975 |
TS-361 | 1 1/8 | 1967-1975 |
TS-381 | 1 3/16 | 1967-1975 |
TS-401 | 1 ¼ | 1967-1975 |
TS-421 | 1 5/16 | 1967-1975 |
TS-441 | 1 13/16 | 1975 |
TS-461 | 1 16/16 | 1975 |
TS-481 | 2 | 1975 |