Tim Bornstein Collection

Braces and Bits
Braces and bits are used to drill holes.

Coach maker’s brace, wood head, forged body, American, late 18th century

“Ultimatum Framed Brace,” manufactured by William Marples, Sheffield, England, ebony and brass with an ivory ring inserted in the head, owners name engraved in script, mid 19th century

Wood and brass brace, ebony and brass head, makers mark is HENRY BROWN PATENTEE SHEFFIELD with JAM_____ (worn out) SHEFFIELD stamped on the button one pushes to release the bit, mid 19th century, English

Wood and brass brace, wood head, makers mark is HENRY BROWN PATENTEE SHEFFIELD with JAMES_____ (warn out) on the button one pushes to release the bit, mid-19th century, English

Wood brace with wood head, iron thumb screw with a heart shaped head holds the bit in a brass nose, no maker’s name

Cooper’s brace, beech with pointed spoon bit, 18th century, English

Coach maker’s brace, forged with birdcage-like head, primitive, late 18th century, American

Iron brace, with brass thumb screw to hold in bit, head is convex sheet metal, 19th century, English

Wood bitstock, very primitive, repaired at handle, 4 ¾” spoon bit, leather washer between head and body, late 18th or early 19th century, American

Oak pad brace, primitive, repaired, missing ferrule on nose, late 18th century, American

Wood pad brace, painted deep green, has a pad but missing the bit, web is curved, 18th century, continental European

Wood pad brace, nose repaired, web is curved, 18th century, continental European

Wood bistock, rather small and light, with upper web sloping up to the head, head is small rounded knob, late 18th century

Brace, handmade, shaped like an English shipwright’s brace, ebony head, owner’s mark A PRICE

Beam drill brace, forged, American

Early center bit, BROWN & FLATHER CAST STEEL

Seven early assorted bits