Snap-on and Blue Point Tools, 1930-1959 [Page 3]

Snap-on Wrenches

From its inception in 1923 through to the late 1940s, the Blue-Point brand had accounted for virtually all of the wrenches sold by Snap-on. The Blue Point Tool Company had been created originally so that Snap-on could expand its product line, while keeping the Snap-on brand focussed primarily on sockets and drive tools. By the late 1940s this arrangement had worked very well for more than two decades. During this period the Snap-on and Blue Point trademarks had functioned as co-equal brands, with no suggestion that Blue Point tools were lesser or cheaper in any way. Actually, since there was no real overlap in the tools offered under each brand, direct comparisons were not possible.

The first hint of a realignment of the brands occurred in 1948 when the Snap-on brand took over the very successful OEX series of combination wrenches, originally issued in 1935 under the Blue Point brand. This was strictly a change of the brand markings, as there was no apparent change to the specifications, model numbers, or pricing of the wrenches.

Combination Wrenches

Snap-on OEX-16 1/2 Combination Wrench

Fig. 229. Snap-on OEX-16 1/2 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, 1954.

Fig. 229 shows a Snap-on OEX-16 1/2 combination wrench, stamped "USA" with a date code for 1954.

The overall length is 7.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Snap-on OEX-26 13/16 Combination Wrench

This next figure shows one of the earliest Snap-on branded combination wrenches, dating from 1948.

Fig. 230. Snap-on OEX-26 13/16 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1948.

Fig. 230 shows a Snap-on OEX-26 13/16 combination wrench, stamped on the back side with "Made in USA" and a stylized "8" date code for 1948.

The overall length is 10.9 inches. The finish is polished chrome, with some loss visible due to wear.

This wrench is very similar to the Blue Point OEX-26 Wrench shown earlier, with the only substantial difference being the fully polished chrome finish.

Snap-on OEX-28 7/8 Combination Wrenches

Fig. 231. Snap-on OEX-28 7/8 Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1948.

Fig. 231 shows another example from the transition year, a Snap-on OEX-28 7/8 combination wrench dating from 1948. The wrench is stamped "Made in USA" on the back side with the stylized "8" date code for 1948.

The overall length is 11.7 inches. The finish is polished chrome, with extensive losses due to rust and pitting.

This wrench is very similar to the Blue Point OEX-28 Wrench shown earlier, with the only substantial difference being the fully polished chrome finish.

Fig. 232. Snap-on OEX-28 7/8 Combination Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, 1949.

Fig. 232 shows a similar early example, a Snap-on OEX-28 7/8 combination wrench dating from 1949. The wrench is stamped "Made in USA" on the back side with the stylized "9" date code for 1949.

The overall length is 11.7 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

Snap-on OEX-32 1 Inch Combination Wrench

Fig. 233. Snap-on OEX-32 1 Inch Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1952.

Fig. 233 shows a Snap-on OEX-32 1 inch combination wrench with a dual date code stamping. The back side is stamped "USA" followed by a stylized "2" date code for 1952, and a smaller "3" date code is stamped to the right.

The overall length is 14.0 inches. The finish is polished chrome with some loss due to rust.

Snap-on OEX-200 5/8 Short Combination Wrench

Fig. 234. Snap-on OEX-200 5/8 Short Combination Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1958.

Fig. 234 shows a Snap-on OEX-200 5/8 short combination wrench, stamped with the Snap-on logo on the shank, with the model number and "USA" on the back side. The back side shank is also stamped with a stylized "8" date code for 1958.

The overall length is 6.3 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.

Snap-on XS-1820 Short Offset Box Wrench

[Snap-on XS-1820 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench]

Fig. 235. Snap-on XS-1820 1/2x9/16 Short Ofsset Box Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Back Side Detail, 1949.

Fig. 235 shows a Snap-on XS-1820 1/2x9/16 short offset box wrench, stamped "USA" on the back side with a stylized "9" date code for 1949.

The overall length is 6.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

This wrench is basically identical to the Blue Point XS-1820 Box Wrench shown in an earlier section.

Snap-on VS-1214 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 236. Snap-on VS-1214 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, 1959.

Fig. 236 shows a Snap-on VS-1214 3/8x7/16 open-end wrench, stamped "USA" on the back side with a stylized "9" date code for 1959.

The overall length is 5.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Snap-on VS-1618 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 237. Snap-on VS-1618 1/2x9/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, 1966.

Fig. 237 shows a Snap-on VS-1618 1/2x9/16 open-end wrench, stamped "USA" on the back side with a stylized "6" date code for 1966.

The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Snap-on VS-2428 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 238. Snap-on VS-2428 3/4x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail.

Fig. 238 shows a Snap-on VS-2428 3/4x7/8 open-end wrench, stamped "USA" on the back side.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Snap-on VS-2526 Open-End Wrench

Fig. 239. Snap-on VS-2526 25/32x13/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail, 1961.

Fig. 239 shows a Snap-on VS-2526 25/32x13/16 open-end wrench, stamped "USA" on the back side with a stylized "1" date code for 1961.

The overall length is 9.7 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Snap-on AC1818 Angle-head Obstruction Wrench

Fig. 240. Snap-on AC1818 9/16x9/16 Angle-Head Wrench, with Inset for Back Side Detail.

Fig. 240 shows a Snap-on AC1818 9/16x9/16 angle-head obstruction wrench, similar in style to the earlier Blue Point ignition wrenches, but with the heavier construction of a standard obstruction wrench. The wrench is marked with "Made by Snap-on Tools" forged into the shank, with "Made in U.S.A." and the model number forged into the back side. (The inset has been rotated for readability.)

The overall length is 5.4 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Currently we don't have a catalog reference for this model, suggesting that it may have been a special-order item, possibly for a military contract in the WWII era.

Snap-on V-5214 7/16x7/16 Angle-Head (Obstruction) Wrench

Fig. 241. Snap-on V-5214 7/16x7/16 Angle-Head Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, 1953.

Fig. 241 shows a Snap-on V-5214 7/16x7/16 angle-head wrench, stamped on the back side with "USA" and a stylized "3" date code for 1953.

The overall length is 5.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Snap-on V-5216 1/2x1/2 Angle-Head (Obstruction) Wrench

Fig. 242. Snap-on V-5216 1/2x1/2 Angle-Head Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, 1953.

Fig. 242 shows a Snap-on V-5216 1/2x1/2 angle-head wrench, stamped on the back side with "USA" and a stylized "3" date code for 1953.

The overall length is 6.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Snap-on V-5218 9/16x9/16 Angle-Head (Obstruction) Wrench

Fig. 243. Snap-on V-5218 9/16x9/16 Angle-Head Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, 1953.

Fig. 243 shows a Snap-on V-5218 9/16x9/16 angle-head wrench, stamped on the back side with "USA" and a stylized "3" date code for 1953.

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Snap-on V-5220 5/8x5/8 Angle-Head (Obstruction) Wrench

Fig. 244. Snap-on V-5220 5/8x5/8 Angle-Head Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, 1953.

Fig. 244 shows a Snap-on V-5220 5/8x5/8 angle-head wrench, stamped on the back side with "USA" and a stylized "3" date code for 1953.

The overall length is 6.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Snap-on V-5222 11/16x11/16 Angle-Head (Obstruction) Wrench

Fig. 245. Snap-on V-5222 11/16x11/16 Angle-Head Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, 1953.

Fig. 245 shows a Snap-on V-5222 11/16x11/16 angle-head wrench, stamped on the back side with "USA" and a stylized "3" date code for 1953.

The overall length is 7.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Snap-on V-5224 3/4x3/4 Angle-Head (Obstruction) Wrench

Fig. 245B. Snap-on V-5224 3/4x3/4 Angle-Head Wrench, with Inset for Back Side, 1955.

Fig. 245B shows a Snap-on V-5224 3/4x3/4 angle-head wrench, stamped on the back side with "USA" and a stylized "5" date code for 1955.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating, with some lossed due to wear.

Snap-on S-1416W 7/16x1/2 "Wedge-Head" Open-End Wrench

[Snap-on S-1216W 7/16x1/2 Wedge-Head Open-End Wrench]

Fig. 246A. Snap-on S-1416 7/16x1/2 Wedge-Head Open-End Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, 1953.

Fig. 246A shows a rare Snap-on S-1416W 7/16x1/2 "wedge-head" open-end wrench, stamped on the back side with "U.S.A." and a stylized "3" date code for 1953.

The top inset shows a side view of the wrench, illustrating the distinctive wedge-shaped open ends.

The overall length is 5.8 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The "wedge-head" design was developed by Blackhawk and is described by patent #2,687,056, issued to W.M. Foor in 1954.

Snap-on S-2428W 3/4x7/8 "Wedge-Head" Open-End Wrench

Fig. 246B. Snap-on S-2428 3/4x7/8 Wedge-Head Open-End Wrench, with Insets for Back Side and Side View, 1953.

Fig. 246B shows a rare Snap-on S-2428W 3/4x7/8 "wedge-head" open-end wrench, stamped on the back side with "U.S.A." and a stylized "3" date code for 1953.