Circa: 1940's
Condition: Good+
Manufacturer: North Brothers Mfg. Co. Phila. PA
This is a nice clean 11" long, hand drill marked "YANKEE NO. 1530A NORTH BROS. MFG. CO. PHILA. PA. U.S.A." on the nickel plated selector switch barrel. North Brothers was one of the top maker's of hand, breast, and push drills, from the late 1800's to 1946, when they sold out to Stanley Tools. This model is the small ratchet drill with 5 different choices on the selector switch barrel, so you can choose "LOCK, RIGHT HAND DOUBLE, RIGHT HAND RATCHET, LEFT HAND RATCHET, REGULAR, and these are all marked next to the appropriate switch. The wood handle is the removable type with a threaded metal nut at the end of the ferrule to attach it very securely to the main frame of the drill. This is the hollow type handle, so it's great for drill storage of extra drill bits (those in the photo included and in good usable condition). The 3 jaw straight shank chuck, has the 3/8" diameter capacity, and is also marked "YANKEE NORTH BROS. MFG. CO.", and is in very good condition, and has a 3/8" diameter capacity. As you can see in the pictures there is some paint loss on the handle, and crank knob, (about 80% intact) but the handles are both solid and well attached, as well as the adjoining hardware. The hollow handle as what appears to be an end dent and has a small circle of finish wear in that area, but solid. About 20% of the original paint is intact on the metal parts that were originally painted, and the 3 jaw chuck has about 70% of the original nickel plating on it. The crank handle has some pitting on it, but no rust, no nickel plating left intact. Overall this is a very nice hand drill, with very good moving parts, and looks good too! The drill works just fine, and is fun to use. One of the best designed and most complex mechanisms that North Brothers made are found in this drill, now for less than $50!
If you use one of this drills, remember to put a drop of oil in the small oil holes from time to time, this keeps the drill operating smoothly for a longer time.