P&C ratchet

[stanley62]

Picked this feller up this weekend.  Really reminds me of a Thorsen.  I wonder if it should have a cover over the gear?  Doesn't look like it ever had one to me.

  Jim

[lbgradwell]

No, I don't believe the P&Cs had covers...

[kxxr]

Was P&C the first to market this design? Does anyone know if a patent for it was ever issued and to whom? Most of us think Thorsen when we see these, but I don't think they were first.

[rusty]

The design goes back to at least the 30's , and remember, one of the founders of Thorsen was an ex P&C employee....

[scottg]

Here is my buddy Cliff's.
 Actually Mrs. Cliff and Cliff gets to play with them.
  She inherited


No cover
 yours Scott

[OilyRascal]

Here is my buddy Cliff's.
 Actually Mrs. Cliff and Cliff gets to play with them.
  She inherited


No cover
 yours Scott

Look at all that goodness!

[stormking]

First of all nice ratchet stanley. I live near Milwaukie so it is mandatory that I collect and use P&C. So thought you might like to see some of the variations and dates as I have observed. The top two are late 30s to sometime in the late 40's open gear no cover. the next two are no trade mark with cover so date to mid 50's. The last 1/4" was made late 50's to 60's with trademark and cover, they also made 3/8" and 1/2" in this period. The only 1/4" open gears I have seen have been from the late period, but that does not mean earlier ones don't exist. By the way even though I'm a P&C homer I think the Thorsen is the superior ratchet. That could be why you see so many P&C rats less the cover.


By stormking3 at 2012-07-30

[Bill Houghton]

Very similar to the designs of the ratchets on some carpenter's braces - not sure who thought of it first, but my money would be on the brace makers.

[dimwittedmoose51]

I think I have an exposed tooth Indestro somewhere in the stash....never seen a P&C tool box/set before ...thanks for sharing....

DM&FS

[EVILDR235]

I have several P&C open gear ratchets and have seen many more and none of them had gear covers. I also live close to the old P&C factory. Many P&C tools to be had around here.

EvilDr235

[lbgradwell]

the next two are no trade mark with cover so date to mid 50's. The last 1/4" was made late 50's to 60's with trademark and cover, they also made 3/8" and 1/2" in this period.

Interesting. Thanks for posting!

[stormking]

Thanks LG,
I like the history, it makes collecting more interesting for me. 
1953 Catalog pages:



By stormking3 at 2012-08-02



By stormking3 at 2012-08-02



By stormking3 at 2012-08-02

[lbgradwell]

I like the history, it makes collecting more interesting for me.

I could not agree more!

[mrchuck]

That last post had a ratchet re-build kit for the open tooth wrench.
I have never seen that kit before, and never had to re-build one.
I did not know thet even made one.,,,,,amazing,,,,and thanks!

[Provincial]

I have a P&C 1/2" open gear ratchet that I got in 1964.  I still use it occasionally.  It still has the cover over the gear, although it just snaps on and could be lost easily.  I live about 60 miles from the original factory.