Last weekends auction

[Neals]

Finally after 3 auctions and numerous yard sales with no tools I got these. The die for a brace makes me wonder how many more uses other than bits,sockets and dies there are for braces.

[Branson]

Finally after 3 auctions and numerous yard sales with no tools I got these. The die for a brace makes me wonder how many more uses other than bits,sockets and dies there are for braces.

That looks like an adjustable hollow augur rather than a die.  Got a couple of them myself.  Properly set, they make a round tenon.

[Branson]

That looks like an adjustable hollow augur rather than a die.  Got a couple of them myself.  Properly set, they make a round tenon.

On second look, it doesn't appear to be one of the adjustables.

[Neals]

It came with a die in it or I wouldn't have known what it was. I woulod love to have a tenon one but the only one I ever saw sold for over $100. To rich for my blood.

[Branson]

It came with a die in it or I wouldn't have known what it was. I woulod love to have a tenon one but the only one I ever saw sold for over $100. To rich for my blood.

Wow!  I'd never heard of such a thing.  Could we get some closer pics?  Is there a patent date on it anywhere? 
Makes me wonder, too, how many other things were made to fit in a brace.

I had no idea the prices had gone so high on hollow augurs.  'Course I got the ones I have about 30 years ago. 
Hard to believe so much time has gone by.   

[Neals]

Branson I don't know what a hollow auger usually goes for. Crazy things happen at auctions.
After cleaning a bit I find the die holder is marked Wells Bros & Co Greenfield Mass.
Formed in 1879 and incorporated as Wells Brothers Co. in 1888.
Wells Brothers Co was sold in 1912 to Greenfield tap and die. Wells bros discontinued in 1916.
This one has the & co on it so should be circa 1879 to 1888.

Die is marked 5/16   1/64   18
i don't know anything about dies so not sure what the numbers mean

[Branson]

Thanks for the pics, and the information, Neals.  A very interesting piece and some nice history.

[Papaw]

"Die is marked 5/16   1/64   18"
Means it will cut threads of 5/16" at 18 threads per inch.

[Neals]

Thanks Papaw.
Found one for sale on e-bay. Better condition than mine with patent 1885.
patent search yielded patent # 311549 filed Mar5 1884, Issued Feb 3 1885.
Mine does not have a patent date on it so am guessing it was made before the patent was issued as the company name was changed before the patent would have expired.