Millers Falls Braces 202 through 633

Much of this listing has been developed from information found in Millers Falls catalogs. The features listed for each brace may differ from actual examples. While the company typically stressed new features in its catalogs, it seldom mentioned the disappearance of a feature or a feature that had become so commonly accepted that it was no longer noteworthy. Then too, production practices varied from catalog copy and illustrations were slow to be updated. By 1960, catalog copy had become so vague that a detailed description of features is not possible.

Nos. 202 - 203

Barber Improved Ratchet Brace

A half-boxed ratchet; unstained hardwood head and handle; tumbled steel parts (not polished); economy-type jaws.

This ratcheting version of Nos. 102-103 represented the low end of the ratchet line.

Illustration from 1908 catalog.

Nos. 220 - 223; 220A - 223A

Barber Improved Brace, non-ratcheting

(Model nos. designated ‘A’ were equipped with a steel clad head.)

1. 1903 — stained hardwood head and handle; nickel plated; and McCoy’s jaws.
2. 1910 — as above, but spring-type alligator jaws.
3. 1912 — as above, but brass rings in sweep handle to prevent splitting.
4. 1922 — as above, but anti-friction washer in head.
5. 1929 — as above, but forged alligator jaws.

This mid-priced series could be ordered with an octagonal shell 1912-1915.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Nos. 261 - 263

Mohawk Ratchet Brace

1. 1917 — ratchet with ‘pick out’ pawls (no ring shifter); hardwood head and handle; polished steel parts; springless alligator jaws.
2. 1929 — as above, but cast alligator jaws.

This series was marketed as part of the Mohawk line of economy braces 1917-1919. (Not to be confused with the later Mohawk-Shelburne braces.) It replaced Nos. 161-163 as the company’s lowest priced series of ratchet braces.

Illustration from 1929 catalog.

Nos. 320 - 324; 320A - 324A

Barber Improved Ratchet Brace

(Model nos. designated ‘A’ were equipped with a steel clad head.

1. 1903 — a half-boxed ratchet; stained hardwood head and handle; steel washer between ratchet and chuck sockets; nickel plated; McCoy’s jaws.
2. 1910 — as above, but spring-type alligator jaws.
3. 1912 — as above, but brass rings in sweep handle to prevent splitting.
4. 1914 — as above, but with ball bearing head.

This mid-priced series could also be ordered with an octagonal shell 1912-1929.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Nos. 401 - 403

Barber Improved Brace, non-ratcheting

1. 1912 — stained hardwood head and handle; nickel plated; Amidon’s jaws.
2. 1914 — as above, but springless alligator jaws.
3. 1922 — as above, but metal rings in sweep handle to prevent splitting.

This series was marketed as part of the Mohawk line of economy braces 1917-1919. (Not to be confused with the later Mohawk-Shelburne braces.) It is identical to Nos. 421-423 but lacks the ratchet and could be ordered with an octagonal shell 1912-1915.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Nos. 421 - 423

Barber Improved Ratchet Brace

1. 1912 — a half-boxed ratchet; stained hardwood head and handle; nickel plated; Amidon’s jaws.
2. 1914 — as above, but springless alligator jaws.
3. 1922 — as above, but metal rings in sweep handle to prevent splitting.
4. 1935 — as above, but ball bearing head.

This series was marketed as part of the Mohawk line of economy braces ca. 1917. (Not to be confused with the Mohawk-Shelburne braces.) It is identical to Nos. 401-403 save for the ratchet and could be ordered with an octagonal shell 1912-1929.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Nos. 502-503; 502A

Master Corner Bit Brace

1. 1906 — cocobolo head and handle; ball bearing head; shiny parts nickel plated; and Master Chuck with Leland’s universal jaws.
2. 1914 — as above, but head and handle of tropical hardwood.
3. 1917 — as above, but stained hardwood head and handle.
4. 1922 — as above, but inserted metal rings in sweep handle to prevent splitting.

Designed to simplify the boring of holes in corners, this series is identical to Nos. 512-513 except for the chuck.

No. 502 was re-numbered 502A, 1957-1964, when economy-type universal jaws were introduced. After the ‘A’ designation was dropped, the cheaper jaws remained.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Nos. 512 - 513

Barber Improved Corner Bit Brace

1. 1912 — cocobolo head and handle, ball bearing head; shiny parts nickel plated; Barber Improved chuck.
2. 1914 — as above, but head and handle of tropical hardwood.
3. 1917 — as above, but stained hardwood head and handle.

Designed to simplify the boring of holes in corners, this series is identical to Nos. 502-503 except for the chuck.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Nos. 541 - 543

Barber Improved Brace, non-ratcheting

1. 1912 — choice hardwood head and handle; nickel plated; Amidon’s jaws.
2. 1913 — as above, but cocobolo head and handle.

This series identical to Nos. 561-563 but lacking ratchet and could be ordered with an octagonal shell 1912.

Illustration from 1913 catalog.

Nos. 561 - 563

Barber Improved Ratchet Brace

1. 1912 — a half-boxed ratchet; choice hardwood head and handle; nickel plated; Amidon’s jaws.
2. 1913 — as above, but cocobolo head and handle.

This series identical to Nos. 541-543 save for ratchet and could be ordered with an octagonal shell ca. 1912.

Illustration from 1913 catalog.

Nos. 601 - 603

Barber Improved Brace, non-ratcheting

1. 1912 — a half-boxed ratchet; stained hardwood head and handle; polished steel parts; Amidon’s jaws.
2. 1914 — as above, but springless alligator jaws.
3. 1922 — as above, but inserted metal rings in sweep handle to prevent splitting.

This series was marketed as part of the Mohawk line of economy braces 1917-1919. (Not to be confused with the later Mohawk-Shelburne braces.) It is identical to Nos. 631-633 but lacking ratchet and could be ordered with an octagonal shell 1912-1915.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

Nos. 631 - 633

Barber Improved Ratchet Brace

1. 1912 — a half-boxed ratchet; stained hardwood head and handle; polished steel parts; Amidon’s jaws.
2. 1914 — as above, but springless alligator jaws.
3. 1922 — as above, but inserted metal rings in sweep handle to prevent splitting.

This series was marketed as part of the Mohawk line of economy braces ca. 1917-1919. (Not to be confused with the later Mohawk-Shelburne braces.) It is identical to Nos. 601-603 save for ratchet and could be ordered with an octagonal shell 1912-1915.

Illustration from 1915 catalog.

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