Historical information

This carpenter's clamp would have been used in confined spaces where a full turn of the brace cannot be achieved. It is fitted with a pawl mechanism - a hinged or pivoted device adapted to fit into a notch of a ratchet wheel to impart forward motion or prevent backward motion. This item would have been used on a rural property in constructing or maintaining infrastructure.

Significance

This item is an example of a woodworking tool used in the first half of the 20th century prior to the widespread use of power tools.

Physical description

A metal ratchet brace with a wooden handle grip. It has a hinged mechanism device which fits into the notches of the ratchet wheel - a pawl. The drill bit is jammed and the chuck is rusted.