Identify a Goodell Pratt hand drill

[Bob Easton]

Can anyone help identify this Goodell Pratt egg beater drill? Things I know about it include:
- It is 14.5 inches long.
- It is a two speed drill.
- It has a ratchet mechanism.
- Note the cast handle, as opposed to stamped metal handle. Many GP drills had flat metal handles where the type / model number and mfg date were stamped.
- Yes, I know the side handle (mushroom) is missing.
- The ratchet wheel has RLL stamped on it, maybe an owner's mark?
- The chuck carries the following marking:
Goodell Pratt Company
Greenfield Mass U.S.A.
PAT AUG 13 1896

I would appreciate knowing the model number and approximate date.

Thanks!

[Jim Koepke]

This was found on a search and a download of the Goodell Pratt catalog from 1926.

The page shows three patent dates. The one after yours is in 1906, so that would indicate your drill is likely made between 1896 and 1906.

Unless one is on dial up, Google is a good friend.

jtk

[Bob Easton]

THANKS Jim!

I browsed through that same PDF a couple of days ago and discounted that page. At the time, I didn't realize the drill had a ratchet ... not until I was handling it this evening while taking a photo.

Strange. I used it to put about 50 screws into a plank on a Whitehall last week and never cranked backwards to discover the ratchet.