Russell Jennings Spur Auger Bit Set & 3 Tiered Box

This is a good+ early 1880's antique set of extension lip spur auger bits with the tapered ends to fit the antique style hand brace chucks. The set was made by and marked THE RUSSELL JENNINGS MFG. CO. CHESTER and so reads the black/yellow label on the inside box cover. The label as you can see in the picture is about 95% intact, with some minor wear. These are all Russell Jennings pattern bits, a complete set from 4-16/16ths, and so marked, RUSSELL JENNINGS on the tapered end of most of them, and RUSSELL JENNINGS on the shank of some of them. All bits are from the pre-1900 era, all are in good useable condition, a few have some minor pitting, or staining on them, none are rusty now. They are in different sizes: 4,5,6,7,8,9on the top tray and 10, 11, 12, 13 on the middle section, and on the bottom tray 14, 15, 16/16ths. The storage case is made of all oak, with three compartments, one upper, one lower, one middle. The corners are all strong lap joints or sometimes called finger joint construction, in good shape with an exception of a small chipped of piece of wood on the bottom of the chest near the finger joint area.  The box is still very solid. There is some wear on the original varnish finish and some small dings and scratches, minor staining, otherwise the box wood is in very nice, solid shape. The hardware is also in good working condition, with some surface tarnish noted on the hinges and some of the latches. A few of the latches appear to be newer, but I see no other repairs needed or done to this old drill chest.  Overall a very nice looking set! A very well known quality tool maker, and a nice example of their product!