Chantrell Patent Tool Holder with 9 original bits

Description

This patented tool was developed by John Chantrell, and subsequently manufactured by the Reading Hardware Company of Reading, PA.   The patent  (US337242A) was granted for the bit-holding mechanism, which is a variation on a collet-type chuck.

This one is in well-above-average condition — the handle is rosewood or cocobolo, and is free of dings or scratches;  the metal mechanism retains all of its original plating.   There are 9 of the original bits with it.  No telling whether that’s the full complement or not — there are no other known examples of this tool.