Proto Professional 5249 3/8 Inch Drive Ratchet 1960s-‘70s

Description: Proto Tools came into being after a contentious legal battle in the late 1940s between Plomb Tool Company and Fayette R. Plumb, Inc. over the manner in which Plomb was branding and marketing its products. The trademark dispute led to Plomb’s name change to “PROfessional TOols, or PROTO. More information can be found in numerous places on the internet. This 5249 Ratchet can be found in catalogs of the 1960s, but finding a more specific date for its introduction is difficult. The single clue is the use of the “®” registered notation following “PROTO” (see images). Alloy Artifacts offers a conclusion that this placed such tools as being produced in the mid-1960s. We surveyed catalogs from this period and found the use of the registered notation on the introductory pages of the 1967 catalog where the Ratchet appears — “Proto Tools: Catalog PR67120-A by Proto Tool Co.; Pendleton Tool Industries, Inc. Publication date 1967” (https://archive.org/details/proto-tools-catalog-pr-67120-a/page/52/mode/2up). We accept Alloy Artifacts dating of 1960s (and 1970s) but offer that on various tool forums and blogs contention remains regarding the dating of the registered notation and when “Professional” was added to Proto tools. The Ratchet is in fully functional condition. The Switch moves easily. There is evidence of use in typical wear areas (see images), but there is no evidence of abuse or misuse. The Ratchet is a basic, work-horse tool that will serve another half-century (and more) as a daily-user. It could be added to an Accumulation or a Show-and-Tell Collection. No matter where it resides, it will serve competently for many years. We will ship the Tool by USPS Ground Advantage on the next regular business day following payment.

Price: 26 USD

Location: Gainesville, Florida

End Time: 2024-12-29T20:35:02.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD