Vintage Yankee North Bros No. 555 Double Pinion Breast drill For Sale

Antique North Bros. Yankee Geared No 555 Breast Drill Double Pinion Phila PA USA

Up for sale is a vintage North Bros. Mfg. Co. \"Yankee\" geared hand drill (breast drill), manufactured in Philadelphia, PA, USA. North Bros. was one of the most prolific American toolmakers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and their Yankee-branded tools remain a favorite among collectors and working woodworkers alike.

Features:

• Stamped \"Yankee No. 555 with North Bros. Mfg. Co., Phila. PA U.S.A. markings and a full run of patent dates (Nov 1897 – Jan 1911+), confirming manufacture in the early 20th century
• Double-pinion gearing — two crank positions offering a choice between speed and torque depending on bit size and material
• Black-enameled T-shaped breast plate for applying forward pressure while drilling
• Main crank handle with turned wood grip
• Auxiliary high-speed side crank with knurled knob, stamped \"OIL\"
• Two-jaw chuck with wood side-handle for added control while drilling
• Ratchet-lock stamping on the gear hub (\"R.H. Ratchet / R.H. Double Lock\")

Condition:
This drill shows honest age and use consistent with a tool of this era. The black japanning on the frame is largely intact with typical edge and gear wear. Gearing turns smoothly through both speed positions [confirm before listing]. Chuck jaws open, close, and grip securely [confirm before listing]. One wood handle has a visible split/crack running along its length (see photos) — still solid and usable, but noted for accuracy; a simple candidate for glue repair if desired. Breast plate and hardware are all present and original. Please review all photos carefully, especially of the cracked handle, as they are part of the description — buyer to judge condition from photos.