Item B3 -
Millers Falls No. 900 Brace
Wench. Rare Tool.
This well-marked Millers Falls
tool has the form of a typical Brace, with 10” sweep, double curved bow, etc.
However the top handle is knob-like (similar to some of Fray’s wimble braces),
and does not rotate. The chuck is relatively short, with a completely knurled
chuck shell. It is simply attached t the frame being pinned to the lower bow,
that completely passes through the top of the chuck. The chuck has a single
pair of broad jaws that are spread apart, having a single coiled spring to
spread them. The chuck has no provision to accept a standard square, tapered
bit tang, but rather can accommodate a relatively shallow hex or square nut head
from diameters of about 5/8” to 1”. As a curiosity the chuck shell has a left
hand thread, so it closes the jaws when turned counter-clockwise. The “brace”
has a sweep of 10 inches and stands 12” tall from the jaw tips to the top of
handle. The wrist and top handle appear to be made of walnut. The top handle
ferrule is brace the wrist handle is bounded with steel bushings. The only
markings are on the upper bow, and read (from the left) “Millers Falls/ Mass”
(in a triangle) / Millers Falls Co / Millers Falls, Mass. U.S.A.”, and “No.
900” This information dates the tool to before 1932, and probably to the 1920s.
This is a tool that I recovered
from a growing pile of braces put aside for later examination, and one that has
been growing for the past 15 years. After resurrecting it, I have been unable
learn much about it. The markings are undisputedly Millers Falls. The chuck is
quite different from brace wrench chucks made by both Quimby Backus and W. A.
Ives. There is no patent marking. Randy Roeder kindly told me that this tool
does not appear in any Millers Falls material that he has seen. He noted,“Millers
Falls marketed a Series 910-914 rim wrench in the late teens and early twenties.
It did not include a No. 900 and the wrenches were crude affairs w/o an
adjustable chuck.-- So, I'm stumped--absolutely and completely.”
So I conclude that this is a very uncommon Millers Falls item, and should be
worthy of a collection. The frame has some scattered moderate pitting. The
wood in not bad, and it should clean up nicely. Good+
Price -$80.00
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