Vintage Snap On tools

[ohheckyeah]

Does anybody know the best place to sell some vintage snap on tools? Most are from the 40s and they belonged to my husband's father.

[enlightenment]

1. You might want to take a look at this website -

people collect the vintage tools, but I suspect type and condition are very relevant. This site does have a forum where you could enquire more about your tools (take pictures to post - collectors' want to see what you're talking about. Also locate any serial numbers or part numbers on the tools and list those, too).

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/links.html

[ohheckyeah]

2. Thank you.

We don't have children to pass them to and none of the nieces and nephews are really into tools so they are just taking up space in the garage.

[enlightenment]

3. Reasonable, for sure.

I wish you good fortune. Given that there are guides, you might want to do a little research before you put them up for sale; collectors' are always looking for a bargain and many are not above taking advantage of a neophyte (especially on the Internet). You might also want to look and see if there are any vintage car clubs in your area, since it appears Snapon tools are mostly for mechanics (? I know nothing about them!). They might be able to give you advice (or offer to buy your dad's tools).

[ohheckyeah]

4. the ratchet we have

oddly enough doesn't have a date stamp. I know it's old but not how old.

[enlightenment]

5. Browsing that website - I am an 'infoaddict'

(you would want me on your team for Trivial Pursuits . . .)

I noticed a page with a chart of 'stamps' - apparently Snap-on used that method, similar to silversmiths, for dating.

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/Data_Chart/Date%20Chart.html

Presumably (from reading comments in the forum) the stamp is usually located after the 'USA' on the handle of the wrenches - or on the outside of the sockets . . . I'd imagine it is in similar locations on other tools.

Having said that, there is a rather involved discussion about why some of the tools do not have a datestamp - something to do with the one-year warranty the company offered. In the conversation, the person indicated that a stamp of "G" or "E" was common during WWII, and indicated that there was no warranty on the tool (government or emergency is what they stood for).

Whatever you do, don't scour the metal with a pad or abrasive or polish - that could make them less attractive to potential buyers. If you find something that might be a stamp, try soaking the area with a little vinegar on a cotton ball and see if it will lift the crud enough to read it (found that out the hard way when I thoroughly cleaned what turned out to be an 18th century silver plate spoon. Fortunately, it's a pretty spoon and I didn't really want to sell it . . .)

[ohheckyeah]

6. Thanks so much for the info.

There is definitely no date stamp on this wrench. I checked on the lever where the date is sometimes and after the USA. It is marked with a G before the S-71. WWII era sounds correct for the age of the tool. I haven't started checking the sockets.

Thanks again.