Lot 399

Collection of Ten Antique Jennings Pattern Auger Bits, Including Expansive Sizes, 19th/Early 20th Century

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Lot 399
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Collection of Ten Antique Jennings Pattern Auger Bits, Including Expansive Sizes, 19th/Early 20th Century
Collection of Ten Antique Jennings Pattern Auger Bits, Including Expansive Sizes, 19th/Early 20th Century
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Collection of Ten Antique Jennings Pattern Auger Bits, Including Expansive Sizes, 19th/Early 20th Century

Starting Bid: $5

(0 Bids)
by California Auction Company LLC
August 1, 2026 9:00 AM PDT
Live Auction
1212 E. Harding Way
Stockton, CA, US 95205

A substantial collection of ten antique Jennings-pattern auger bits, comprising an attractive assortment of graduated sizes for use with traditional hand braces. Forged and machined from high-carbon tool steel, each bit features the distinctive double-spur cutting geometry and threaded lead screw characteristic of the Jennings pattern, prized by cabinetmakers, carpenters, wheelwrights, and joiners for producing exceptionally clean and accurate holes across a wide range of hardwoods and softwoods. The group includes both standard and larger-format examples, with several oversized bits featuring tapered cutter shoulders intended for heavy timber framing and structural woodworking applications. The original hexagonal brace shanks remain intact throughout, allowing compatibility with period hand braces and making the set equally desirable for collectors of early woodworking tools and practitioners of traditional hand-tool craftsmanship. Developed during the nineteenth century, the Jennings auger bit represented a significant advancement in woodworking technology, combining efficient chip removal with clean peripheral scoring to minimize tear-out. Examples of this pattern were manufactured by many of America's most respected edge-tool makers—including Russell Jennings, Irwin, Greenlee, Stanley Rule & Level, Millers Falls, and others—and remain highly regarded among modern woodworkers for their cutting performance and historical significance. Displaying an attractive aged steel patina with evidence of honest workshop use, this assembled collection offers excellent decorative appeal while remaining a practical grouping for restoration, display, or continued use. A desirable lot for collectors of early American tools, woodworking implements, or industrial antiques.

  • Literature: See: Roger K. Smith, *Patented Transitional & Metallic Planes in America*; John Walter, *Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools*; and standard references on nineteenth-century American woodworking tools and Jennings-pattern auger bits.
  • Circa: Late 19th to Early 20th Century (circa 1890–1935)
  • Condition: Overall good antique condition with expected workshop wear, oxidation, scattered surface rust, scratches, and areas of patina consistent with age and use. Cutting spurs, lead screws, and brace shanks appear generally intact, though individual bits may benefit from cleaning and sharpening prior to use. Sold as a group and not individually tested.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 + $50