Show Off Your Antique Sockets & Braces

[B Halverson]

I've updated that patent at DATAMP to reflect G&A as also using that patent. Do you mind if I include your photos there?

US Patent: 73,279 - Bit-stock

US patent 73,279 Bit-stock was issued to Charles H. Amidon of Greenfield, MA. It was granted on 01/14/1868. A tool-handle with this patent is reported; the only marking is the patent date. Another is reported marked as follows: "Millers Falls, Greenfield, MA

www.datamp.org

While verifying the history you quoted, I also found another reference to a tool G&A apparently made, taking an assignment from McKinley. So double win, thanks for sharing.

US Patent: 9,939 - Socket for auger handles or braces

US patent 9,939 Socket for auger handles or braces was issued to Arshal H. McKinley of Higginsport, OH. It was granted on 08/16/1853. According to the 1873 "Subject-matter index of patents for inventions issued by the United States Patent Office", this patent was granted an extension

www.datamp.org

Thanks, and go ahead and use the photos. Maybe link to where you are putting them if it is a free website.

 

[B Halverson]

Good stuff. You been a picker for a while haven't ya?

My father always saved everything and appreciated history, so since I was a kid I always saved junk wherever I found it and enjoyed learning about it. My father passed away last Friday at 87 years, and even though he is gone and not there to talk about old tools etc. with anymore, I pulled a spud wrench out of a trash dumpster today while I was on a bicycle ride, so on it goes......

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

My father always saved everything and appreciated history, so since I was a kid I always saved junk wherever I found it and enjoyed learning about it. My father passed away last Friday at 87 years, and even though he is gone and not there to talk about old tools etc. with anymore, I pulled a spud wrench out of a trash dumpster today while I was on a bicycle ride, so on it goes......

Yea. I lived the same life with my dad. I still have most of his old generic tools. I still have the old nuts and bolts that I sorted out about 1965. They are priceless.

 

[B Halverson]

I was surprised this brace is as old as it is. Braces of this type and style were sold into the early 20th century, but Maw & Staley were apparently not in business after 1833, and could have been making tools as early as 1818 according to one reference, but most have them starting in 1825.
This brace has a wonderful old repair where someone made a metal brace for it's leading arm after it fractured, shaping the braces to fit the contour of the tool and inlaying them so the repair is flush with the tool surface. To me the repair with it's hand-hammered rivets is as interesting as the tool itself. Someone really loved this tool at one time to go to this length to repair it. And if only this 200 year-old brace could talk.....

 

[tombell572]

Someone did indeed put forth considerable effort to make that repair. It demonstrates the importance of the tool to its owner and is as significant as the tool itself.

Tom B.

 

[B Halverson]

And any thread on bit-braces and sockets both would have to include the "Chantrell" patent braces and adjustable socket wrenches. although I have not run across a Chantrell brace, I found out about them because I did come up with a Chantrell patent "T" handle adjustable socket wrench at some local second-hand venue in the past long enough ago that I can not remember if it was a junk-shop, garage or estate-sale. So both bit-braces and wrenches were made with this style of adjusting mechanism. The range of adjustment does not look impressive to me, nor does it look like it would stand up to a lot of torque, but that the example I found is still here and 100% operational stands for something.





And here is the brace with the Chantrell mechanism I found with an internet search engine;

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

And any thread on bit-braces and sockets both would have to include the "Chantrell" patent braces and adjustable socket wrenches. although I have not run across a Chantrell brace, I found out about them because I did come up with a Chantrell patent "T" handle adjustable socket wrench at some local second-hand venue in the past long enough ago that I can not remember if it was a junk-shop, garage or estate-sale. So both bit-braces and wrenches were made with this style of adjusting mechanism. The range of adjustment does not look impressive to me, nor does it look like it would stand up to a lot of torque, but that the example I found is still here and 100% operational stands for something.





And here is the brace with the Chantrell mechanism I found with an internet search engine;

So what would be the purpose of a brace with the adjustable wrench on the end? To speed up the adjustments? Very cool.

 

[B Halverson]

So what would be the purpose of a brace with the adjustable wrench on the end? To speed up the adjustments? Very cool.

The brace would have a chuck to hold standard brace-bits, the wrench would have a chuck to fit square bolts and nuts, which was a very common type at the time of the patent.

 

[four.cycle]

Chantrell / Chantrell Tool Co., Bridgeport, CT / patent RE10145 reissue 254275 / "Chantrell's Adjustable" wrench / (see also Smith & Egge)(see also Hazeltine & Chantrell) /

Chantrell at International Tool Catalog Library

Smith / Smith & Egge Co., Bridgeport, CT / "Chantrell's Adjustable Wrench" / patent RE10145 reissued 254275 / http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgIndex/detail.aspx?id=11003 /

"Nuts", such as they were in 1882, didn't require high torque values.

 

[four.cycle]

Mr. Halverson -
There appears to be some information that has not yet come to light here:
There's a link between John Chantrell and Reading Hardware Co., Reading PA.

Chantrell / Chantrell Hardware & Tool Co. Inc., Reading, PA / hammers, edge tools, hardware /
Chantrell / Chantrell Tool Co., Bridgeport, CT / patent RE10145 reissue 254275 / "Chantrell's Adjustable" wrench / see also Smith & Egge, see also Hazeltine & Chantrell /
Reading / Reading Hardware Co., Reading PA / multi-tool / est. 1872 closed 1950 / patent 337242 Mar 2 1886 John Chantrell / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ion-tool-and-bits.431508/page-7#post-10786107 / https://appleparermuseum.com/Readingevo7.htm /

Chantrell was issued a number of patents, several of them on the same day.
I'm trying to sort these out as I type this.
the LIST is here

 

[WisJim]

John Chantrell and Felix Chantrell both had patents related to bit braces and similar tools. I assume that John and Felix were related and I remembering reading something about that. They were in the same city and some of their tools were made by the same company. Here's a picture of four Chantrell braces, 3 of John's and one of Felix's, and a pic of 3 John Chantrell ratchet braces, all with different ratchets. Looks like I need to finish my tags with the patent info on two of them.

 

[four.cycle]

P/M sent.

 

[B Halverson]

So I was doing something in my garage a year or so ago and a neighbor of mine pulls up in his car and walks up with this, a Fray brace for working in corners with a complete set of bits, all like new. He said he bought it at a local estate sale just because he knew I liked old tools and paid $20 for the whole shebang. So I gave him the twenty bucks and off he went. I am pretty picky about buying old tools anymore as I have more than I can store now, but this brace and bits was unusual in that it looks to have been hardly ever used and stored very well, and my neighbor went to that trouble so I gave it a home.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Hands Off!

 

[Eric Brown]

So I was doing something in my garage a year or so ago and a neighbor of mine pulls up in his car and walks up with this, a Fray brace for working in corners with a complete set of bits, all like new. He said he bought it at a local estate sale just because he knew I liked old tools and paid $20 for the whole shebang. So I gave him the twenty bucks and off he went. I am pretty picky about buying old tools anymore as I have more than I can store now, but this brace and bits was unusual in that it looks to have been hardly ever used and stored very well, and my neighbor went to that trouble so I gave it a home.

That was a very good deal. Good neighbors too.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

So I was doing something in my garage a year or so ago and a neighbor of mine pulls up in his car and walks up with this, a Fray brace for working in corners with a complete set of bits, all like new. He said he bought it at a local estate sale just because he knew I liked old tools and paid $20 for the whole shebang. So I gave him the twenty bucks and off he went. I am pretty picky about buying old tools anymore as I have more than I can store now, but this brace and bits was unusual in that it looks to have been hardly ever used and stored very well, and my neighbor went to that trouble so I gave it a home.

Yea you have some great neighbors and friends and estate sales. I'm movin.

 

[3baygarage]

Some fine pieces posted thus far. I figured I’d ask if anyone knows what brand or maker this brace is before I attempt to rearch it. There doesn’t appear to be any name. A couple random numbers here and there like a 2 on the knob and several tiny 24’s.

-all steel construction with a small brass portion before the knob.
-12” long
-3/8 square opening
-the quick release or quick change lever is why it jumped out to me interesting, other than being all metal

 

[B Halverson]

I figured I’d ask if anyone knows what brand or maker this brace is before I attempt to rearch it. There doesn’t appear to be any name. A couple random numbers here and there like a 2 on the knob and several tiny 24’s.

There is a brace down in the basement that has the same sort of release mechanism and for some reason I have it marked "Taylor patent brace". The example here is similar, but of hex cross-section except for the handle swell. Usually the old braces with a swell in the metal for the main crank handle instead of a wood handle were wrought iron, not steel, but steel may have been used in some of the smaller bits attached to the main body. Before a certain time there was not a lot of steel makers in the USA, which is why in the 1800s you see so many tools marked as having steel from the United Kingdom in them, and why striking and cutting tools had bodies of wrought iron and only steel bits welded in where it was needed. The Taylor Patent thing should help you out if you google it.

 

[B Halverson]

Some fine pieces posted thus far. I figured I’d ask if anyone knows what brand or maker this brace is before I attempt to rearch it. There doesn’t appear to be any name. A couple random numbers here and there like a 2 on the knob and several tiny 24’s.

-all steel construction with a small brass portion before the knob.
-12” long
-3/8 square opening
-the quick release or quick change lever is why it jumped out to me interesting, other than being all metal

Here you go; http://www.sydnassloot.com/brace/Taylorb.htm

 

[3baygarage]

Thank you, great info. I see exact matches in various places. It could be a Wilson, I'll have to look closer. The number stampings seem to be original too, which comes as a big surprise.

 

[B Halverson]

Well sooner or later someone had to do this, put up the North Brother's braces. There are two laying around here, both of them I think are the earlier ones with two early patent dates and the other patents pending. The Model 2100 is the fancy gentleman's model with a nicer finish and supposedly some extra quality built inside also, the 2101 braces are those that were often supplied to Bell Telephone company and they were not as nicely finished and may not have had a lower quality mechanism in some ways too, which makes sense as that is what large companies and corporations do, cut all the corners they can to save pennies and maximize profit. This 2100 brace was laying with a lot of other braces at an estate sale I went to several years ago, and I can not remember where the Bell system brace came from, but absolutely from some local second-hand venue also.

 

[d42jeep]

I was pleased to find this early auger bit handle at this morning’s estate sale along with a couple of countersinks. After removing a little rust, I could make out a patent date of Dec 3, 1850.
Here is the patent info for Patent 7815

-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The last time I posted in this thread was April 2024 with that huge antique Katch-All plaster drill bit (pg 1, post #33 - #39) I found at the flea. Here's another one I just found this morning. Looks like it would grab and turn something square, possibly nuts and bolts, I suppose, but I am thinking no, probably something else/special purpose that I just wouldn't know as a non-collector/non-user. Just too odd to not bring home.

 

[Fred Knox]

I picked up this non-ratcheting bit brace a few months ago. I cannot find any markings on it, and originally thought it was an early example of the Taylor’s patent. Following @RTM’s leads, I think that alternatively it may be a "Scottish" brace. These braces typically have an elaborately turned wooden cup handle that is taller (in this case 2 ¾”) than most produced in America. It has both the swollen wrist region and the hexagonal cross-section of the shaft which evidently are typical for this style of brace.​

The chuck on this one has a lever catch similar to the Taylor patent braces in the U.S., although I do not see any pin through the side of the chuck that forms the fulcrum of the lever. Happy to hear other’s thoughts.​

 

[ararat]

I picked up this non-ratcheting bit brace a few months ago. I cannot find any markings on it, and originally thought it was an early example of the Taylor’s patent. Following @RTM’s leads, I think that alternatively it may be a "Scottish" brace. These braces typically have an elaborately turned wooden cup handle that is taller (in this case 2 ¾”) than most produced in America. It has both the swollen wrist region and the hexagonal cross-section of the shaft which evidently are typical for this style of brace.​

The chuck on this one has a lever catch similar to the Taylor patent braces in the U.S., although I do not see any pin through the side of the chuck that forms the fulcrum of the lever. Happy to hear other’s thoughts.​

Small Scotch Pattern Brace by JOHNSON

A scarce antique 8 inch sweep Scottish or Scotch pattern iron brace by Christopher JOHNSON of Sheffield.Smaller than usual and the first we have seen by JOHNSON.Faintly marked 'JOHNSON' with the CJ Flag trade mark on the chuck.Lignum vitae head with boxwood plug, steel ring and brass collar...

www.oldhandtools.co.uk

It looks very similar to this one marked Christopher Johnson of Sheffield who was apparently well known for cutlery.

 

[Fred Knox]

Wow! That’s it. Mine is 13” in length with a 8” sweep too. Great research find Ararat.

 

[Fred Knox]

After @ararat figured out my last antique brace (see last couple posts #104 and #105), I thought I’d post another antique one I have.

This one may be even older. It is 11 1/2” total length with a 3” throw, or 6” sweep. Pad is 4 1/2” in diameter. The brace is metal with a wooden handle and pad. It has that look that it may have been handmade, but I welcome any thoughts on potential maker, origin, vintage, etc. It is going on the shop wall no matter!

 

[kwigly]

Nice one Fred. I'd agree its older, probably Blacksmith made.
The slot for flat tang bits usually means it's origin is Nordic or northern Europe

 

[ararat]

After @ararat figured out my last antique brace (see last couple posts #104 and #105), I thought I’d post another antique one I have.

This one may be even older. It is 11 1/2” total length with a 3” throw, or 6” sweep. Pad is 4 1/2” in diameter. The brace is metal with a wooden handle and pad. It has that look that it may have been handmade, but I welcome any thoughts on potential maker, origin, vintage, etc. It is going on the shop wall no matter!

That's really cool. Looks really old. Is that ebony?

 

[Fred Knox]

I don’t know what type of wood it is, but it’s not heavy enough to be ebony.