Let's move on to the Type 9A Craftsman TD ratchets. I know, if you’ve been following the thread, then you’re probably thinking that “9A” is a typo or something. It’s not. There’s going to be a Type 9B, Type 10A and Type 10B too. You see, I think two versions of the Type 9 were being manufactured at the same time. I think the same is true of the Type 10 ratchets as well, hence 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B. Now, just to make things even more confusing, while I believe there’s a Type 9A and 9B, and a Type 10A and 10B, that is only true for the ½” and 3/8” drive sizes. I believe the ¼” drive ratchet stayed exactly the same for both the Type 9 and Type 10 periods. So, I’ll provide the ¼” nomenclature line below only this one time as a Type 9 since it was introduced at the same point as the Type 9A ratchets were offered by Sears. Going forward, I’ll just remind you that it exists and stayed exactly the same when we get to the Type 9B, 10A and 10B posts. This also means there is no Type 10 ratchet in the ¼” size. Finally, when we get to the Type 9B ratchet, I’ll explain the difference between it and the Type 9A. I think it’ll make more sense that way. For now, just focus on the Type 9A and recognize that the ¼” won’t change again until we get to the Type 11 ratchets. The Type 9A (and Type 9 for ¼”) was the first version to prominently stamp the model number on the handles of the ratchets using large characters. If you look back at the Type 8 examples above, the model number is there on the handle, but it kind of gets lost in the midst of all the patent info, etc. Anyway, here are the nomenclature lines for the Type 9A (1/2” & 3/8”) and Type 9 (1/4” only) Craftsman TD ratchets:
Type 9A: 1972 – 1976 (+/-), TD, OH, LL, QR, FA, -V-, 44975
(represents 1/2" drive size)
Type 9A: 1972 – 1976 (+/-), TD, OH, LL, QR, FA, -V-, 43785
(represents 3/8" drive size)
Type 9: 1972 - 1979, TD, OH, LL, QR, FA, -V-, 43175
(represents 1/4" drive size)
Stay with me. The Type 9B post will hopefully clarify a few things.
Jim C.