CollectingSnapOn.com

I recently purchased online a WWII socket set that I thought was 1/4" but have since realized it is 9/32." Other war offerings on ebay seem to have that same drive size. What is the background of this size which seems not to have survived time?

thanks

lane

Snap on started 9/32 drive tools in about 1925. Last seen sometimes in the 60s I think. They were not just war time.

Thanks for that history. I sort of came to that conclusion looking on this site at the 9/32" socket sets evolution. I imagined that market forces streamlined tools to 1/4" which may have simplified things overall for mechanics and industrial users. I also reread the Hemmings account here of how Frank gathered so much from old catalogs and I promptly went to ebay and bought what was offered. Too bad Snap On doesn't have exhaustive internal records like some automobile manufacturers had preserved that would inform us late-day collectors and aficionados.

Snap on does, but it not open to the public.

Probably closely guarded, not unlike some famous chefs or restaurants with their secret recipes. In all seriousness I can understand how things might be kept inside the company.