original or reproduction hood latch??

[Jim.Morris2831]

Hopefully the two photos will post. I believe that the hood latch shown in the photo is an old reproduction, but want to be sure I'm correct.
One photo shows the underside of the hook tip which is shaped like a "V" and rather sharp. My understanding of what the original hook tips look like is that they are somewhat flat and as such are not sharp and are kind to paint.
A second photo shows the bottom of the latch body and the end of the hood latch shaft. The shaft end does not have a retaining pin, it does not have a free floating washer; it does have, however, a small coin shaped (bare metal in the photo) washer that is affixed to/integral with the end of the shaft. As such the hook handle cannot be removed from the latch body for replacing the spring. To replace the spring the body would need to be pryed open along its seam so the hook shaft can be removed through the side of the body.
Also in the second photo you can see that there is no retaining pin access opening which is present in original latch bodies I've seen so the retaining pin (which doesn't exist in this latch) can be pushed out of the latch stem.
What say you fellas out there about whether this latch is a reproduction or a very different original?
Thanks!
Jim Morris in Ithaca, NY

 

[Jim.Morris2831]

Here's a close-up of the underneath side of the hook tip.

 

[J Franklin]

I vote reproduction, the shaft looks like a 16D nail.

 

[Jim.Morris2831]

That's a good comparison, it does look like nail head, makes it impossible to remove the hook/shaft from the latch body.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Repro!

 

[Jim.Morris2831]

Tom, ever see an ORIGINAL hook shaft end with a solid washer-like, nail head-like, cap on it? Privately, when I purchased a set of four of these, I'm being told that they're late '31 latches and I have no way to confirm this description. Jim

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Jim, I'm no authority on late 31 latches, but I've never seen the bottom like you have pictured.