Lowell No. 1 ratchet

[Northwoods]

Can anyone give us more info on this elegant ratchet?
And why hasn't someone snapped it up?
I find that Lowell rats are either beautiful or ugly as sin.  This one is a beauty.
BTW, in my searchings, I come across the term "boiler wrench" or "boiler ratchet".  Can anyone give me some info on these terms?  How would a boiler ratchet differ from another ratchet?  Simply a special purpose tool with no sockets?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Antique-LOWELL-WRENCH-CO-1-Ratchet-5-16-and-3-8-Drive-Combination-RARE-/112313961128?hash=item1a266f0aa8:g:cvwAAOSwjDZYl4GM

[jimwrench]

Sellens in his Dictionary of American hand tools shows this example.
his description:Boring tool ratchet;also called Boiler drill and ratchet drill. A type of bit brace used to drill a hole in a restricted space such as in a corner.Tha tool shown was particularly recommended for use by boiler makers.

[skipskip]

So, you made me dig out the "odd Ratchet" pile.

the three on the left are Lowells, biggest is 38 inches long

DSCF3326 by Skip Albright, on Flickr




The next one is a Pratt and Whitney

DSCF3328 by Skip Albright, on Flickr




the on with the wooden handle says No. 1 Lag, no idea what is for

DSCF3331 by Skip Albright, on Flickr


DSCF3332 by Skip Albright, on Flickr



the rest are just old industrial ratchets I believe.

[mikeswrenches]

Just a WAG, but maybe the wood handled one was used for tightening the band bolts on the old wooden silos. If the socket is hollow it would allow the excess bolt length to move up inside.

Mike