I have one hell of a ratchet... quite heavy. I've read all sorts of stuff about this tool...... some say it was made for Billings??? Anyhow, there's a picture of it on ebay.... I'll try to show you that. OK, that's not going to happen. All it says when I try to copy the thing is "javascript." Anyhow, it says "Packer Ratchet No. 1 with an eagle emblem. Then it has Ashcroft, mfg.co new york. It weighs around 3 pounds.
Maybe Papaw can show you a picture of it from my photo bucket account. PA, I think you still know how to access that photo stuff from me? It's under my ratchet album. Anyhow. I had a possible life threatening situation to figure out in the past few weeks. So, I'm more ill tempered then usual... didn't think that was possible! I'm not going to die.... at least not unless I happen to walk in front of a truck! Health wise, my problems are under control. It is amazing how quickly life can pass bye you. Sometimes it seems impossible to concentrate on even one image as life flies bye.
I'm trying to do the one thing that I love........ staring at a bunch of old tools. I never get tired of wondering where those tools have been, what hands they've passed through, what trades existed at that time, and how they've wound up in my hands. I've always loved history. But, until my love for tools, I didn't think about history the way I do now.
cheers,
bird.