I just acquired this old brace, i have not started cleaning it, looking closely i cannot find any markings.  Anyone have an idea what it is?   A couple of key items:

 

The head is cut flat on 2 sides, looks original.  The head does not turn at the moment, but since the flats are at an odd angle (not aligned with the frame) i’m thinking it should turn.

The small device next to the gearbox can be pulled out and turned, it controls the ratcheting of the chuck.  Clockwise, ccw and fixed.

The shaft sticking out of the 90* corner looks like it accepts a crank handle, and it turns with the chuck.  
 

@steven newman

Looks like it was designed to work into corners.   Not sure who made these. 

Yes, it looks like a combination standard brace, with accommodation for a crank to be used in a corner brace situation. 

Plus, one can add an extension to the square end, and either a ratchet or a second brace can turn the bit..IF the space is too confined.  

Sweet score Ed. I'm no help ID'ing it though. My knowledge of hand braces it very limited. Nothing visible on the chuck? Or perhaps on the "gear box?"

Might be something on the chuck, and maybe the frame, need to clean it off. The gearbox is less obscured, i would have expected something there … but no trace of markings.  

Ok, might have found something.  I was looking at a tool collector site in New Zealand and saw a picture, did some digging and found two possible matches.  It’s either an Atkins or a Bennett by Lancaster.  I’m leaning toward the Atkins based on a couple of details.  Patented 1905.
 

Cool Ed. My vote is for the Atkins but I might be a bit bias based on region.

I agree, because of the area directly above the chuck.  The lancaster seems to have a longer space with some kind of ring. Maybe some markings will appear when i clean it.  

Need help with another find please.  It’s similar to this Craftsman from the 1948 catalog, but with significant differences.  The craftsman advertises a blue plastic cap on the end, mine is wood to match the handle. The crank arm on the craftsman joins at the edge of the gear cover, mine goes to the center.  I have searched carefully but there are no markings of any kind on it.  Definitely has an art deco style.  

 

Somebody trying to copy a...

Maybe Stanley was trying to copy a Millers Falls patent? 

No. 309 and No. 104 Buck Rogers drills

  Possibly trying to take advantage of the style.  But … who?  

Goodell Pratt & Co.  Maybe?

15 hours ago, steven newman said:

Maybe Stanley was trying to copy a Millers Falls patent? 

Only Stanley version I could find is a #5803. Similarities but not it.

14 hours ago, Ed-H said:

Possibly trying to take advantage of the style.  But … who?  

 

3 hours ago, steven newman said:

Goodell Pratt & Co.  Maybe?

I couldn't find a version they made. Probably a style after M-F bought them out???

 

Thought maybe a Dunlap, but only version of it I could find was a pistol grip model similar to the modern era Fiskars.

 

Good news is I found IT HERE. Bad news, no more information that Ed currently has. I'll resume some searches of some of my old tool catalog pdfs when I have more time to sit at the desktop where files are stored.

 

BTW, awesome find Ed.

 

interesting article about these corner braces here...

 

https://www.georgesbasement.com/geobasmt/grbraces/grbraces.htm

Gramp … i also found that page, it’s identical and the seller had no clue what it was.   $67 … 8 can assure you i paid a fraction of that for mine.