Cross-bar Handled Auger

Used to make holes in wood beams. 

One use would be to make holes for wood pins in the construction of a barn.  The auger dates back to Caesar’s conquest of Gaul.  The early augers were spoon-shaped and up to 18 inches long.  The first true spiral or twist augers were invented late in the 18^th century.  The auger shown in our collection is an example of the Jennings pattern and dates to 1855.