Michael,

I’ve seen these several times.  Some of the really early ones have a hexagonal
through-hole for a bar to fit the really early hexagonal _drive_ sockets.

( I believe cheap socket sets with hex drives were made until after WW2.  The
basic tool is a sort Allen wrench. These kits are often marked “Japan” as their
only marking.)

I bought the 1/2” drive female ratchet in my OP as a ratcheting handle for a
small milling machine  vise.

John Ruth

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 17, 2019, at 1:04 PM, Michael Suwczinsky mailto:nicknaylo@g...">mailto:nicknaylo@g...>> wrote:

Catching up on oldtools mail

“1/2 “ female ratchet” is gonna catch me some .....interesting search results.
Should be ok deep in the tools sections of flea bay and Craigslist though

I’m thinking twisting wrench unless hot steel will destroy it.

The modern versions would appear to rife with plastic parts, springs and other
heat sensitive bits, but an old one might be robust enough.

Michael



“BV” is a mark on Sears tool’s, and perhaps others, for the New Britain Tool Co.

My source is the Alloy Artifacts website.

I discovered this while researching a “1/2-inch Female Ratchet,” a fairly early
sort of socket wrench ratchet that drove a 1/2” square bar that extended
entirely through the head of the ratchet handle. ( Reversal requires removing
the square bar and flipping the ratchet. )

I’d be interested in any additional comments from the wrench-collecting end of
the Porch.

John Ruth