William Noel Ratchet Wrench & Drill Tool

[Lewill2]

My latest score is this William Noel patented ratchet, wrench, and drill combination tool. Patented April 18 1876, patent number 176,338. Quite a manly tool as it weighs in at 11 pounds plus. Adjustable head fits into either end. The drill head/handle has a tapered square recess for drill bits. The bottom of the taper is about 3/8 square and the top of the taper is just over 9/16 square. The square drive in the ratchet is 1 1/8 square. The adjustable wrench head will fit on either end of the main handle assembly. Ratchets in one direction, flip to go the opposite way. DATAMP lists it as "not known to have been made" I contacted Stan Schulz so he can update DATAMP.

I am guessing that the hole in the adjustable jaw is for the pipe wrench jaw that is shown in the patent drawing.

[jimwrench]

 Very nice. Looks like a boiler ratchet married an adjustable wrench. Never saw such a combination.

[Papaw]

Great score! That proves that at least one was made.

[Wrenchmensch]

Les,

Always an education to see what you have brought in!

Bob

[john k]

Very unusual,  and nice patina.   As often as I clean rust, still nice to see a century old tool that never lay in the dirt.   I bet it was pricey when new also.