Thorsen tools collection

[OilyRascal]

Thanks Oily.  I did not know that Thosen produced early versions of the enclosed round head.  I guess I've never run across these in the wild; must be fairly rare. 

Any clue when the open head ratchets first appeared?  I noticed the 1958 Thorsen Brochure/Pricelist I sent you a copy of mentioned "The All-New Thorsen Ratchet" and it's features (i.e. open head design... simplicity).  Included in this brochure/pricelist were ratchet models 77M, 77J, 77, 77NR, and 79.  Could 1958 have been the introduction of the open head design?  If so, that would be a fairly short run, ca. 1958-1968 (perhaps a little later).
 

There are issues I have with dating the start of the open head design in 1958.   1) I have surfaced a 1955 brochure that also has the open head ratchet included in chrome form and with a "dust cover".   2)  I have examples of the open head 77 ratchet that pre-dates the introduction of chroming AND the dust cover.  It is fair to say at least TWO improvements were made to that ratchet; the cover over the open head, and chrome plating.  I can't even conclude the "The All New Ratchet" marketing found in the 1958 literature was covering an improvement I've discussed here (again, I have a 1955 showing chrome and a cover).

Link to thread with 1955 brochure download.
http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=9680.0

This is the early 3/8" drive 77J open head design that pre-dates chroming and the dust cover.





This is an early round head 3/4" drive Thorsen ratchet (with removable drive plug) I have.



And lastly, there is this early ratchet which is marked 77JA.  It is of the open head design, no original chroming, and with a fixed 9/16" socket.  It is unclear to me if this was a specialty ratchet, or if it was ONE within the timeline of their ratchet's progression.  I will say that of the four 77A ratchets I've seen (and I own two of them) they were all of the 9/16" size.  Which leads me to believe it was a specialty socket versus a situation where multiple size fixed sockets were available in this ratchet design.  I hope that makes sense.

[lauver]

Oily,

Thanks for your thoughts on the open head design ratchets.  And mucho thanks to the link with the 1955 partial catalog download; a new to me document.

[mr.x]

Hi, yeah the Thorsen open head design goes back to mid thirties, I've seen it in a Thorsen 38-39 cat. and I'm pretty sure I remember seeing  contract Thorsen made open head ratchets  in an earlier (36?) General Tool (of Portland OR) catalog.

 

[lauver]

mr.x,

Do you have any early Thorsen catalogs (pre-1950)?  If so, there is much interest here on this thread.  We have many questions and fewer answers. 

[chopper1]

I tried downloading the PDF but will not accept the ASK tool bar and all the other BS that goes with it.   :o{

[OilyRascal]

I tried downloading the PDF but will not accept the ASK tool bar and all the other BS that goes with it.   :o{

Interesting - I don't have THAT issue.  PM me your email address and I'll send it to you as an attachment.

[mr.x]

Lauver, almost all of my old tool stuff, including catalogs is on the other side of the country. I probably have a half dozen pictures from the 38 Thorsen somewhere on my computer. I remember that cat. cause it has a drawing of the Bay bridge on the front, which had only been finished late in 36 and I was trying to imagine what a HUGE difference that would make for someone going back and forth from the Thorsen retail store on Bush St in (downtown)SF to the Emeryville factory which is just about a mile from that IKEA on the East( Oakland)  end of the bridge.  Anyway, If I can find the pictures I'll post them or worst case, I'll send them to someone who can.

[OilyRascal]

Lauver, almost all of my old tool stuff, including catalogs is on the other side of the country. I probably have a half dozen pictures from the 38 Thorsen somewhere on my computer. I remember that cat. cause it has a drawing of the Bay bridge on the front, which had only been finished late in 36 and I was trying to imagine what a HUGE difference that would make for someone going back and forth from the Thorsen retail store on Bush St in (downtown)SF to the Emeryville factory which is just about a mile from that IKEA on the East( Oakland)  end of the bridge.  Anyway, If I can find the pictures I'll post them or worst case, I'll send them to someone who can.

Any assistance with a better understanding of the early days would be very much appreciated.

[OilyRascal]

circa late 1950's - a Thorsen wire rack display that would hook onto a pegboard.

[chopper1]

circa late 1950's - a Thorsen wire rack display that would hook onto a pegboard.

That is really nice.  Great display, thanks for sharing.

[dave]

i have an action 77ja that looks like a thorsen

[OilyRascal]

And the family is together at last.  The 3/4" drive Thorsen 79 open gear ratchet.

[dimwittedmoose51]

Big score there OR......

DM&FS

[john k]

Nice, real nice, that 3/4 looks huge!

[Branson]

i have an action 77ja that looks like a thorsen

Action tools were made by Thorsen.  Action was a Thorsen brand.