JUNK250,

QUOTE;  "I thought I was a tool guy that has seen it all,
              but I think this is way before my time."

sorry, JUNK250, no one person alive has ever seen it all, we discover or find out about
differant things everyday.

that is the real reason we all check into tool talk when we get a chance.

Yes, to learn.

Happy searching / researching, Frank 

So far, from the pics I've seen, I'm sticking with my suggestion.  The pointy tip would have gone against the old man (and, OldTools, a 2x4 wouldn't have cut it; we're talking metal drilling or big drill bits here), with the bit on the other side.

Looks an awful lot like a pipe reamer ratchet to me.

Some of the old catalogs call them ratchet drills.  They were typically used in conjunction with a large clamp the held it in place and provided the back pressure against the expanding end.  I have often seen them with large square taper shank twist drill bits. 

I have been told that they were used for drilling bolt holes in steel beams during building construction.

WV has got it. A Drill Ratchet or Ratchet Drill, I've seen either used.

I found this pic which is very close in design, only describes it as a drill driver "used by bridge, ship builders and boilermakers".

This thing is making me crazy trying to identify I have been googling for two weeks and still don't really know what it is, or what it was used for.

I mean drill driver describes anything that drives a bit, Makita Dewallt Craftsman ect.  LOL

It doesn't look like it takes a Brace bit(square) for wood, but more of a machinist type slot bit.

Thanks for all your help 

Quote from: oldtools on June 16, 2015, 04:44:10 AM
I think Bill had it!  a drill driver. The back part was wedge with a clamp assembly, or lever or 2x4 (old man) to apply pressure when drilling by turning the knurled, the drill bit has a flat that fits into the driver..

Old tools,

You don't have to turn the knurled part to advance if it was adjusted between something(about 4" of travel, 8"-14" overall), the ratchet action advances the bit... I THINK

Thanks for posting.

Quote from: wvtools on June 16, 2015, 03:29:16 PM
Some of the old catalogs call them ratchet drills.  They were typically used in conjunction with a large clamp the held it in place and provided the back pressure against the expanding end.  I have often seen them with large square taper shank twist drill bits. 

I have been told that they were used for drilling bolt holes in steel beams during building construction.

wvtools,

OMG I just read your post and a light bulb came on as to how it possibly maybe was used !

It doesn't have much travel (4"or so) and would have to be tight between something to start the auto advance ratchet action.

The clue you posted,...drilling holes in Steel beams !

I bet you could slip this in an "I" beam and snug it up and the ratchet advance would take over all the hard work with a stubby machine bit.

I think it is a machinist steelworker tool, and not for wood.

That would explain the sharp tip that wouldn't work with wood.

Or maybe not, off to do more research.

Thanks to everyone posting for the info !

Quote from: junk250 on June 17, 2015, 01:35:44 AM...would have to be tight between something to start the auto advance ratchet action.

Exactly.  You set up your braced piece of timber* next to the thing you want to drill a hole in, run it in until you run out of travel on the tool, and then, if needed, reverse it, put a piece of wood in as a shim, and repeat.  The knurling is probably both to hold it in place while you're starting it and to quickly wind it back to "start" when you're done.

My knowledge here is all theoretical.  I've never used one.

*aka "old man."

Here is a description I found.

This May well be the patent for your ratchet drill. Looks very similarhttp://www.datamp.org/patents/advance.php?pn=539423&id=27910&set=15

Thanks Bill300d,

The patent link you posted looks just like it (2nd pic).

You mentioned in an earlier post as a metal drill tool (i think I agree).

The patent you posted is listed as a woodworking tool, but isn't a Morse taper bit for metal drilling bits ?

I think the classification might be wrong on  the page.

I'm a little confused, nothing new.

And it doesn't auto advance like I thought, You adjust the tension by adjusting the knurled part as you go as described in your link to the patent.

I appreciate your help with the tool.

Is the "Old Man" Steel or Wood frame, it don't really say.

1895 !

Thanks !

Good work " Team " . you guys amaze me all the time

Could be wood, steel or anything that is stationary enough to allow adjusting the drill to put a little pressure on the bit so it will cut.

I guess few here check out my Wrenching News Auctions. Richard Lawton had an amazing collection of these ratchet drills that I have sold on the last two auctions. Some of these were are advertised as combination ratchet wrenches and drills. They were for drilling metal but i suppose could be used for wood also if the chuck would hold a wood bit.