I finally got my Cornwell catalog, circa 1948 (#25)

I promise to scan it eventually, but it's 100+ pages of fine print...

Meanwhile, some interesting things...

Ratchets...

Cornwell had a strange selection of ratchets in 1948, there were two different types of ratchets
offered for 3/8,1/2,3/4, and inch drive, one with a more or less conventional ratchet wheel design,
and another identical looking but totally different internal mechanism using slip clutches. It is
claimed that the slip clutch mechanism provided the equivilant of 270 teeth.

The 3/8 drive ratchets were part of the Junior series, with a JR prefix, JR1 for the clutch, JR2 for
the ratchet wheel/pawl type.

The 1/2 inch was the SR series (Standard Service).
SR2 for the clutch, SR4 for the wheel, and a surprise, SR15A is a detachable head ratchet for 1/2
drive!

For 3/4 drive we get the HR1 (Heavy) with a whopping 20" handle, Available only in clutch type.
Interestingly, there are adaptors for 5/8 and 7/8 drive, even tho Cornwell doesn't offer those
socket drive sizes...

For really big stuff, there is the GR1 (Giant) ratchet, Inch drive, Offered only in detachable head
form , 30" handle available...

Strange that 3/4 is not offered in detachable form when 1/2 and inch are...

That leaves 1/4 drive, which seems to be a lost orphin, it is a totally different ratchet, an open
frame clicky design, the TR1 (Tiny Ratchet) (Price list says use new number TR5)

Making ratchets...

Quote from: rusty on December 09, 2011, 08:45:16 PM
I finally got my Cornwell catalog, circa 1948 (#25)

I promise to scan it eventually, but it's 100+ pages of fine print...

Woohoo!

Some cool stuff to look forward to...

I have a SR-2 gearless.  When I bought it at the flea market I thought it was broke or something, because it does not click like a normal ratchet.

Will be interesting to see the catalog.

I have the same ratchet, Toolpants!

Also have a 3/8" drive with captive drive plug that pushes from one side to the other to change direction in use.

I'll have to look them up and photo them. I'm sure they are both earlier than this catalog rusty has shared.