Ignition Handles

25-1926 – gripper driver. This does not show up in the catalogs. Very few examples are known, but here are 2 examples
The M-4 and M-40 Handle have a wide range of variations. Here is the table for the catalogs, but the actual is much more interesting
Part | Description | Date |
M-4 | Ignition Handle (wood) | 1933 |
M-4 | Ignition Handle (Praylin) | 1937-1942 |
M-40 | Ignition Handle (Pyralin) | 1937-1942 |
M-45 | Spinner | 1939-1942 |
The 9/32 Ignition Handles B

M-4 1931-mid 1930s (unclear, but they could have gone thru 1938). The Black handle driver, 5-1/8 length. The early ones have Snap on, stamped on the shaft. The later ones, have so on the shaft and blue point on the handle ring. In the mid 1930s there are some natural wood handles, the catalogs show them with a ball stop and what looks like a natural finish in the 1936 catalog thru the 1938 catalog. The 2nd photo is an M-4 1932 natural wood example and the 3rd Photo is an M-4 1936 with a natural finish and ball stop. This one is 5-3/8 in length and does not fit into the 9/32 case. Ran 1933 – 1936?
From the catalog the M-4 started in 1931 to the mid 1930s through a period that is unclear, but they could have gone thru 1938.
The Black handle driver, 5-1/8 length. The early ones have Snap on stamped on the shaft. The later ones have labeling – blue point – on the handle ring.
In the mid 1930s there are some natural wood handles, the catalogs show them with a ball stop and what looks like a natural finish in the 1936 catalog thru the 1938 catalog.
From the actual tools the actual situation looks more like this
.
Tool | Description | Dates | Comment |
“M-4” – Marked only Snap on in old Logo | Gripper Handle (wood – Natural Finish) | 1925 – 1926 | Rare |
M-4 – Listed in the Catalogs, Marked with Smaller Snap-On Logo | Early – Black and natural finished existed – Wood Handle with gripper groves in the wood. Early is marked only on the shaft | 1931 – 1938 |
|
M-4 – Listed in the Catalogs, Marked with Smaller Snap-On Logo | Late – Black and natural finished existed – Wood Handle with gripper groves in the wood. Late is marked on the shaft AND/OR on the collar | 1931 – 1938 |
|
M-4 | Shape of the handle changed to smooth. Ball Stop changed to 2 balls, lengthened | 1933?-1936? | Rare |
M-4 (Pyralin) | There are 2 variations that can be seen in the labeling. The earlier have a larger logo and are labeled “MADE IN USA” | 1937? – 1945 and beyond | Common |
M-40 (Pyralin) | Short Shaft M-4 | 1937-1945 | existed after 1945 |
M-40 Blue Point | Marked Blue point and appears to be non Pyralin | 1935-1936 | Rare |
M-45 – Spinner | All metal construction with knurled handle | 1939-1942 | Rare |
The 9/32 Ignition Handles C

M-4 and M-40. Late 1930 through 1945 and beyond have a yellow / orange handle. This is a DuPont Plastic called Pyralin. Within this there are 2 variations that can be seen in the labeling. The earlier have a larger logo and are labeled “MADE IN USA”
M-4 and M-40. Late 1930 through 1945 and beyond have a yellow / orange handle. This is a DuPont Plastic called Pyralin. Within this there are 2 variations that can be seen in the labeling. The earlier have a larger logo and are labeled “MADE IN USA”
The 9/32 Ignition Handles D
M-40 Blue Point 9/32 driver offered from 1939-to the mid 1940s shown on top and a very rare M-40 Blue Point 9/32 driver offered in 1935 and 1936 on bottom.
M-40 Blue Point 9/32 driver offered from 1939-to the mid 1940s shown on top and a very rare M-40 Blue Point 9/32 driver offered in 1935 and 1936 on bottom.

The 9/32 Ignition Handles E

M-45 – Spinner These are very rare and were available in the Catalogs from 1939 – 1942
TM-45 – Spinner These are very rare and were available in the Catalogs from 1939 – 1942
It looks like a breaker bar handle with a different end.