3/8 F-4 Speeder progression

The first photo is an F-4 from the early 1930s, under this are 3 F-4 variants. The right most is the same F-4-A (undated) from the late 1930s, Middle photo is an F-4-A from the late 1930s and the right most is F-4-M 1960. The bottom photo shows the same tools, the early 1930s has a ring around the square, this is tapered in the late 1930s and is softened into the 1960s and modern tools

Model number	Description	Length in inches	Date range
F-4	Speeder handle	15	1927 - 1936
F-4 A	Speeder handle	17 3/8	1937-1942
F-4 B	Speeder handle	24	1931-1942
F-4 C	Speeder handle	36	1941-1942
F-4 D	Speeder handle	17 3/8	1942-1946
F-4 G	Speeder handle	36	1942-1946
F-4 H	Speeder handle	24	1942-1946
F-4 L	Speeder handle	17 5/8	1948
F-4 M	Speeder handle	24 ½	1948
F-4 N	Speeder handle	36 ½	1948
F-4L	Speeder handle	17 5/8	1948-1975
F-4LA	Speeder handle	17 5/8	1965-1978
F-4LB	Speeder handle	17 5/8	1995
F-4LBK	Speeder handle comfort knob	17 5/8	1995
F-4LS	Speeder handle	18 15/16	1965-1967
F-4M	Speeder handle	24 ½	1948-1962
F-4MA	Speeder handle	24 ½	1965-1978
F-4MB	Speeder handle	24 ½	1995
F-4N	Speeder handle	36 ½	1948-1962
F-4NA	Speeder handle	36 ½	1965-1978
F-4NB	Speeder handle	36 ½	1995

There are many of these. They can be seen all the time and there are a number of model numbers and labels with little indication about the differences. With the tremendous number of these floating around and the varation of part numbers it seems confusing. I see the following differences that help me to categorize these.

The Length: The biggest difference between these is length. There is no difference in the same year/s between different models except for length

Differences over time:

Handle style differences
Square style differences
Logo Differences

3/8 F-4 Speeder Logos and labels

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This photo shows the logos on the F-4 early 1930s, an F-4-A from the late 1930s and WWII period F-4-D. The earlier logos use a larger S and don’t have an underline

3/8 RS-4 (Ratchet Speeder) progression

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Catalog drawings show

1st 1939 RS-4

2nd 1955 RS-4L

3rd 1960 RS-4L

This is a hybrid between a ratchet and a speeder. The catalog drawings show the three variants listed. The first is a 1939 Catalog Drawing of the RS-4. In 1955 the RS-4L appeared and the RS-4LS in 1960.

Model number	Description	1937
RS-4	Ferret Speedster Ratchet	1939
RS-4L	Ratchet speeder	1955-1958
RS-4LB	Ratchet speeder	1960-1962

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