Wild caught Snap-On L73 Giant 1" drive ratchet

[moparthug]

Found in an old barn, a massive 1 inch drive Snap-On model L-73. From a little snooping around it looks to be the early release model from 1942 to 1948. The bad news is the threads that the handle screw into are just about gone, aside from that it works great. 8 inches long and almost 6 pounds! A new "high score" for my Snap-On collection.  A casual look on eBay says I didn't pay to much for this at $10. Now to find the handle and sockets that go with it.

[Northwoods]

That is a real monster.  You should shoot a pic of it beside a few other Snappies.

[toolmiser]

Maybe the handle isn't threaded into the head.  I have a 3/4" from the 70's my Dad had.  He also didn't have the handle, but found a nice piece of bar stock that fit into the socket and then "pinned" it through the hole.  I think maybe the original used a "ball detent".  Just a thought

[lptools]

Hello, I agree with toolmiser. I have sold a couple of those, and the handles were not threaded. Regards, Lou

[moparthug]

That makes sense why the "threads" look so faint, a previous owner just used a piece of threaded pipe and that left the ghost outline of them on the inside. Good to know, thanks!

[Papaw]

I had one years ago and it wasn't threaded. Not sure if Snap On supplied a handle. I used a piece of pipe. Never used it much.

[papadan]

I had a SO multiplier 3/4-1" and it used a straight pipe handle with a spring ball that locked into the hole in the housing.

[bonneyman]

Dang, you could almost use that for a parking brake on a small car! lol

[papadan]

Dang, you could almost use that for a parking brake on a small car! lol

For sure, just throw it under one wheel and it ain't moving. ;-)

[moparthug]

Compared to a 5" Wizard 1/4 ratchet.