Davis Carpenters Ratchet Auger Bit Brace 14 Inch Rare

This is a nice clean ratchet hand brace, and it has the rare 14" sweep. It is not marked by the maker, but is believed to be MFG'D BY THE DAVIS RULE & LEVEL CO. SPRINGFIELD MASS..  If you look at the crank handle in the pictures, you will note the unique design and turning on the handle.  This handle form is quite rare, and to my knowledge, Davis Rule and Level Co. was the only maker in the U.S.A. that used a fancy turned crank handle on their braces.  Once more, it's not just the handle shape, but the design.....Unlike most crank handles, this rosewood handle is mounted onto a steel sleeve this works sort of like a bearing bushing, and is very smooth operating.  Since we have another brace with the same handle on it, marked Davis Rule & Level Co., we assume that Davis was the maker of this brace.   The chuck is in good condition with nice heavy duty double jaw inserts, in good condition, the knurled part of the chuck or the chuck sleeve is steel and has little wear, very nice shape overall. The ratchet system works smooth, can be set for clockwise and counter clockwise motion.  We note slight play in the main spincle leading from the ratchet drive to the chuck, no more than most braces from the 1880's era. The head is hardware is steel, capped with a nice threaded rosewood handle.  The head handle rosewood is solid, we note a few dings on it, no cracks. The condition is good+ overall, with little wear overall, we note some light pitting on most all metal surfaces, but not rusty.  Overall this brace is In really good working condition, a very good hard to find model with the Davis name on it. A quality made brace, still in great shape, after over 100 years, nice looking too!