The 9/32 Ratchets
The first 2 photos are a tool stamped 1933, but is different than the next 2 ratchets – It has a middle rivet that is slightly forward than the next 2. The date stamp is in the lower rivet. My guess is the date stamp is the date sold (start of the warranty) and this first ratchet is the earlier construction
The 3rd picture date stamped 1932. The bottom is identical and is has a 1936 stamp.
9/32 Ratchets
There are 2 basic designs.
The first ratchet is a flat ratchet appearing from 1933 to 1937. There are differences in the rivets and some date stamps are found in the lower rivet.
The second ratchet style can be broken into the following variations:
- 1937 – 1939 the M-70-N ratchet has no screws in the head on either side (20 tooth)
- 1939 – 1942 in the catalog, but continued into 1945 and maybe later the M-70L Ratchet.(20 tooth)
- 1940s M-70M Ratchet – Appears to be identical to the M-70L ratchet. (20 tooth)
- PM70N and PM70M continued into the 1940s and 1050s. (20 tooth)
The first 2 photos are a tool stamped 1933, but is different than the next 2 ratchets – It has a middle rivet that is slightly forward than the next 2. The date stamp is in the lower rivet. My guess is the date stamp is the date sold (start of the warranty) and this first ratchet is the earlier construction
The 9/32 Ratchets
M-70-N shown here ran from 1937 – 1939. This is easy to identify – there are no screws in the head – either side. It is an interference fit
All of these are 20 tooth ratchets
M-70L Ratchet 1939 – 1942 on top and M-70M Ratchet 1940s below
M70L 1944
M-70L Ratchet Date Coded “G” 1945. This is found in ¼ inch and 9/32. The difference is in the insert.
M-70L? Date Code “G” 1945 – The ID is smudged, but another example of a ratchet listed as ending production in 1942, but carrying a date stamp of 1945
PM70N dates coded 1940
PM70N dates coded 1942
PM70M dates coded 1955
PM70SB undated?