<a href="http://s728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/?action=view&current=wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches048.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches048.jpg" border="0" alt="unusuall brace"></a>
<a href="http://s728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/?action=view&current=wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches049.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches049.jpg" border="0" alt="chuck on unusuall brace"></a>
<a href="http://s728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/?action=view&current=wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches050.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches050.jpg" border="0" alt="c huck on unusuall brace showing latch"></a>
<a href="http://s728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/?action=view&current=wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches051.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches051.jpg" border="0" alt="showing inside chuck of unusall brace"></a>
<a href="http://s728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/?action=view&current=wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches052.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww286/specialedmichigan/antique%20wood%20working%20tools%20or%20wrenches/wwwb-c-ebizjuly4thandwrenches052.jpg" border="0" alt="end of chuck on unusuall brace"></a>
looks to be an early brace. 14 3/4 inch over all long the only mark I seen so far is the #5 on the chuck
Craig
are the ridges on the chuck threads? maybe there is another couple of pieces missing.
if so let me know I have over 50 braces and lots of parts bob w.
hope this shows more detail on the brace chuck, you push in on the tab and the ferrel will turn and come off as shown in the 2nd pic
craig
this brace looks simular to http://www.sydnassloot.com/Brace/Staples.htm but then again different
Craig
It looks like it was made for the older tapered square ended bits that have a notch in/on one side of the tapered shank. The paw that is inside the square hole would lock into the notch on the bit. I'm not a brace collector but I don't recall seeing one like this before. Looks like a good one to research.
It sure looks like the C.E. Staples brace, and definitely for the tapered square shank.
definite for a sq shank with notch bit
craig