3/8 F7 Early Ratchets
The first in the series is the No. 7A. It has a 15 tooth gear with 2 pawls for strength. It have a removable plug, I have not seen one of these. The 7A has a captive plug with a grove as shown (dated 1929)
The 3/8 inch series is a late addition. In 1923, the 5/8 and 1/2 inch sets were the main offerings.
I have not seen a F-7A ratchet, but it is appearently a removable plug.
The 2nd ratchet has a captive plug, this can be pushed through.
Model number |
Description |
Date Range |
F-7A |
Plug that can be used with 3/8 and ½ (15 tooth) |
1927-1928 |
F-7 |
Plug is captive (15 tooth) |
1929 |
3/8 Early F70 Ratchets
The first iis a F70 and then the F70A. These are both 9 inches (photo prespective appears to be different sizes)
The F70 in 1931 was the introduction of a “remarkable new ratchet” with a reverse with a flip of the thumb. No more plugs, no push through, the number of teeth increase to today’s standard on 20, the cover was removable. Up to this point the internal gears were riveted in the ratchet. The F70 has a press fit cover; the F70A incorporates 2 screws to hold the ratchet in. The removable cover allows for ratchets to be rebuilt. This also started chrome finish. Up to this point a copper layer and a finish nickel layer was used. The chrome is the same process, copper, nickel and then a very thin layer of Chrome to prevent oxidation.
Model number |
Description |
Date Range |
F-70 |
Ratchet handle (20 tooth) |
1931-1933 |
F-70A |
Ratchet handle (20 tooth) |
1935-1936 |
3/8 F-70 Ratchet Types
1942 F-67
After seeing the No 70 Ratchet progression above, a friend (the Johnsons) offered these photos. Shown here are 3 variations of the No 70 that are much more clear.
The Middle example is a press fit cover (no screws in the head)
The lower view, the cam diameter of the 1st and 3rd.
great Examples!!
3/8 F-70 Ratchet Types con't
Also provided by the Johnsons shown here are 2 more variations of the No 70.
The The top and bottom are press fit (no screws in the head)
Obviously the thumb switch is very different
Also great Examples!!
3/8 F-67 Ratchet Adaptor
1942 F-67
This is a adaptor converts any handle into a ratchet. It traces origin back to a manual ½ adaptor introduced in 1923. There is a ½ version of this as well. It is useful with torque wrenches.
Model number |
Description |
Date Range |
F-67 |
Ferret Ratchet Adaptor (20 tooth) |
1941-1946 |
F-67B |
Ferret Ratchet Adaptor |
1948-1978 |
3/8 F 70 Ratchets
F- 70-N in WWII Industrial finish and chrome. A classic design that ran from 1937 until 1960
1937 brought an end to the flat ratchet design and a new thumb switch. This is the classic shape that would run solo for 10 years until 1948 and against the redesigned ratchet until 1960 – a 23 year run. Production of these exploded with WWII production needs. There was a shortage of all materials including chrome. Shown here are 2 ratchets, both F-70-N one in chrome and one in an industrial WWII finish.
Model number |
Description |
Date Range |
F-70-N |
Ratchet handle (20 tooth) |
1937-1946 |
F-70M |
Older style handle Ferret Ratchet |
1953 - 1958 |
F-70R |
Older style handle Ferret Ratchet |
1960 |
3/8 FR-84 Ratchet
New handle design
The photo shows the modern handle style and the list is the balance of the ratchets after the design update of 1948
Model number |
Description |
Date Range |
F-71 |
New Standard Ferret Ratchet (40 tooth) |
1948 |
F-710A |
Ferret Ratchet (20 tooth) |
1953-1958 |
F-71C |
Ferret Ratchet |
1953 – 1958 |
F-710B |
Ferret Ratchet (20 tooth) |
1960-1978 |
F-71D |
Ferret Ratchet (30 tooth) |
1960-1967 |
F-71M |
Ferret Ratchet (30 tooth) |
1962-1967 |
F-710LS |
Ferret ratchet |
1965-1967 |
F-711 |
Ferret Flex Ratchet |
1967 |
FL-710 |
Ferret long ratchet (20 tooth) |
1965-1967 |
F-710K |
Stubby Ferret Ratchet |
1962 – 1967 |
F-710BK |
Stubby Ferret Ratchet (20 tooth) |
1970-1978 |
F-710D |
Ferret Ratchet (20 tooth) |
1970-1978 |
F-711A |
Ferret Flex Ratchet |
1970-1978 |
F-712 |
Ferret Ratchet bent flex handle |
1975 – 1978 |
F-713 |
Ferret Flex Ratchet with fast release |
1975 – 1978 |
F-71G |
Ferret Ratchet (30 tooth) |
1970-1978 |
F-71N |
Ferret Ratchet (30 tooth) |
1970-1978 |
FL-710B |
Ferret long ratchet (20 tooth) |
1975 |
FM-70 |
Ferret small head ratchet |
1970-1978 |
FL-710-LS |
Ferret long ratchet w/ plastic handle (20 tooth) |
1975 |
F-714 |
Palm style |
1978 |