Irwin Auger Bit Company: Stamps and Sets

This page describes the stamps that the Irwin Auger Bit Company used on its bits and the sets of carpenters' bits it marketed. The report covers the years 1887 through 1983 and is based on five Irwin catalogs, ten examples of the company's How to Select, Use and Care for Bits booklets, a half dozen ads in hardware publications, twenty-four sets of Irwin bits, and photos from 14,460 online auction transactions.

The information presented is comprehensive, rather than complete, and despite the herculean effort involved in putting it together, new stamps and assortments of carpenters' bits pop up from time to time.

1887-ca. 1894 bit stamp

• bits stamped parallel to stem
• no rectangle around text

1894-ca. 1900 bit stamp

• bits stamped at right angle to stem
• no rectangle around text

ca. 1900-ca. 1904 bit stamp

• bits stamped at right angle to stem
• text within single-line rectangle

ca. 1904-1907 bit stamp

• bits stamped at approximately 60-degree slant to stem
• text within single-line rectangle
• lines of rectangle may be either dashed or solid

1907-ca. 1914 bit stamp

After the original Irwin patents expired, the company trademarked the Irwin name to prevent imitators from using it.

• bits are stamped "more or less" parallel to the stem
• The IRWIN Bit & Reg. U. S. Pat Off. appear within single-line rectangle
• the word IRWIN appears in quotes

ca. 1914-ca. 1917 bit stamp

• bits are stamped more or less parallel to the stem
• The IRWIN Bit & Reg. U. S. Pat Off. appear within double rectangle
• the word IRWIN appears in quotes

ca. 1917-ca. 1923 bit stamp

• bits are stamped parallel to the stem
• The IRWIN Bit & Reg. U. S. Pat Off. appear within double rectangle
• no quotes around the word IRWIN

1923-ca. 1930 bit stamp

• bits are stamped parallel to stem
• The IRWIN Bit & Reg. U. S. Pat. Office appear within double rectangle
• no quotes around the word IRWIN
• Borfamily designation MAINBOR, SURBOR, etc, appears under double rectangle

ca. 1930-1937 bit stamp

• bits are stamped parallel to stem
• The IRWIN Bit & Reg. U. S. Pat Off. appear within double rectangle
• MADE IN U. S. A. designation appears under rectangle
• Borfamily designation MAINBOR, SURBOR, etc., appears under MADE IN U. S. A. designation
• BLUWIN marking (deluxe grade) begins 1932, Clinton begins 1937. Appear under MADE IN U. S. A.
• Variant: MADE IN U. S. A. stamped at right angle to stem rather than under double rectangle

ca. 1938-ca. 1948 bit stamp

• bits stamped parallel to stem
• The IRWIN bit appears in double rectangle
• MADE IN U. S. A. designation appears under double rectangle
• no mention of U. S. Pat Off.
• no Borfamily designation except MAINBOR still exists and appears under MADE IN U. S. A.
• BLUWIN (deluxe grade) and CLINTON (economy grade) stamping continues. Grade markings appear under MADE IN U. S. A.

ca. 1948-1951 bit stamp

• bits stamped parallel to stem
• no rectangle
• location is U S OF A

IRWIN - U S OF A

1951-ca.1960 bit stamp

• bits stamped parallel to stem
• no rectangle
• location is U. S. A.

IRWIN - U. S. A.

ca. 1961-ca. 1966 bit stamp

• bits stamped parallel to stem
• text appears within a set of double bars
• IRWIN
• MADE IN USA

ca. 1966-ca. 1983 bit stamp

• Bits stamped parallel to stem
• double rectangle
• IRWIN
• location is U S OF A

ca. 1983-19?? bit stamp

• Bits stamped parallel to stem
• double rectangle
• Fractional size of bit to the left of word IRWIN
• location is U S A

 

Later variations of the Irwin bit stamps have not been studied

 

 

1892-1893 Cylindrical Case

• a spool with a highly finished hardwood top and bottom
• cloth roll backed with highly finished wooden slats is attached to center post
• ornate brass hardware
• bits are held in place at two points

1892-ca. 1900 Model Case (type 1)

• Highly finished hardwood box with pivoting lower tray
• top tray features short transverse slots
• smallest bits are stored to rear of top tray
• lid features triangular inserts
• lid attached by three hinges that extend over its topside
• hook-and-eye closure
• domed tacks with large heads hold closure hardware in place
• red and black interior label
• two sizes available: one with a standard set of 13 bits, and a Farmer's Set with 9 augers and one screwdriver bit.

ca. 1900-ca. 1904 Model Case (type 2)

• highly finished hardwood box with pivoting lower tray
• top tray features short transverse slots
• smallest bits are stored to rear of top tray
• lid with breadboard ends
• lid attached by three hinges that extend over its topside
• lid and lower tray are now equipped with brass catch
• large domed tacks are decorative
• black & gold interior label
• two sizes available: one with a standard set of 13 bits, and a Farmer's Set with 9 augers and one screwdriver bit.

ca. 1905-ca. 1920 Model Case (type 3)

• highly finished hardwood box with pivoting lower tray
• top tray features short transverse slots
• smallest bits are now stored to front of top tray
• lid with breadboard ends
• lid attached by three hinges that extend over its topside
• lid and lower tray are equipped with hasp-type closure
• large, decorative domed tacks are gone
• black & gold interior label
• For most of production, two sizes available: one with a standard set of 13 bits, and a Farmer's Set with 9 augers and one screwdriver bit.
• An 11-bit case introduced ca. 1909-ca. 1920.

ca. 1920-1923 Model Case (type 4)

• NOT ILLUSTRATED
• Highly finished hardwood box with pivoting lower tray
• no transverse slots in top tray
• pivoting lower tray for 9 and 13-bit sets
• lid with breadboard ends
• lid attached by three hinges that extend over its topside
• lid and lower tray are equipped with hasp-type closure
• black & gold interior label
• Three sizes available: a standard set of 13 bits, an 11-bit set, and a Farmer's Set with 9 augers and one screwdriver bit.

1923-ca. 1936 Borcases

• shellac-finished hardwood box, glued and nailed
• separate compartment for each bit

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4-13)
• Cabinet set (13 SMOOTHBOR bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Farmer's Set (9 SURBOR bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Country Kit Set (6 SURBOR bits sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16),
• Little Six Set (6 MAINBOR bits sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,12 bits)

1923-ca.1933 Borchest (type 1A)

• stained sycamore box
• no transverse slots in top tray
• pivoting lower tray for 9 and 13-bit sets
• single tray for 6-bit sets
• lid with breadboard ends
• lid attached by three hinges that extend over its topside
• lid and lower tray equipped with single hasp-type closure
• plain green and buff-colored interior label

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4-13)
• Cabinet set (13 SMOOTHBOR bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Farmer's Set (9 SURBOR bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Country Kit Set (6 SURBOR bits sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16),
• Little Six Set (6 MAINBOR bits sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,12 bits)

1923-ca. 1933 Borchest (type 1B)

• stained sycamore box
• pivoting lower tray for 9 and 13-bit sets
• no transverse slots in top tray
• single tray for 6-bit sets
• lid with breadboard ends lid attached by three hinges that extend over its topside
• lid and lower tray are equipped with hasp-type closure
• ornate green and buff-colored interior label

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4-13)
• Cabinet set (13 SMOOTHBOR bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Farmer's Set (9 SURBOR bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Country Kit Set (6 SURBOR bits sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16),
• Little Six Set (6 MAINBOR bits sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,12 bits)
• ca. 1930-ca. 1933 "C" Set (9 MAINBOR bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16)

1932 BLUWIN variant

• Deluxe-grade BLUWIN bits introduced December 1, 1932
• Bluwin bits first made available in rolls and Borchest
• IRWIN's BLUWIN printed on small label pasted over MAINBOR designation on Borchests interior label

1933-ca. 1936 "fair competition" Borchest

• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip—United States Patent No. 1,927,110
• full-size chests are boxes divided in half and featuring radiused corners
• full-size chests fitted with two hasps, three hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests are simple boxes with breadboard lids, square corners, a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• 3 grades of bits available: Master Mechanic (premium), BLUWIN (deluxe) and Irwin (standard)
• 1935 and 1936 chests American Institute of Fair Competition notice

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Little Six Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,12 bits)

ca. 1936-ca. 1939 "Genuine Irwin" Borchest

• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip—United States Patent No. 1,927,110
• “THE IRWIN BIT” stamped on lid in gold ca. 1936
• “THE IRWIN BIT” & "MADE IN U.S.A." stamped on lid in gold after 1936
• full-size chests are boxes divided in half and featuring radiused corners
• full-size chests fitted with two hasps, three hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests: simple boxes with radiused corners (breadboard ends disappear)
• six-bit chests fitted with a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• 4 grades of bits are available: Master Mechanic (premium), BLUWIN (deluxe) and Irwin (standard), and Clinton (utility)
• "Genuine Irwin" sticker inside
• later production features cutting heads covered with protective corks
• shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Bits booklet

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Little Six Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,12 bits)

ca. 1939-ca. 1941 "glossy liner" Borchest

• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• “THE IRWIN BIT” & "MADE IN U.S.A." stamped on lid in gold
• full-size chests are boxes divided in half and feature slightly rounded edges
• full-size chests fitted with two hasps, three hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests: simple boxes with radiused corners, a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• 3 grades of bits are available: BLUWIN (deluxe) and Irwin (standard), and Clinton (utility)
• glossy red & black box liner
• cutting heads covered with protective corks
• shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Bits booklet

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Little Six Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,12 bits)

ca. 1941-ca. 1947 "no liner" Borchest

• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• “THE IRWIN BIT” & "MADE IN U.S.A." stamped on lid in gold
• full-size chests with slightly rounded edges, two hasps, three hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests with radiused corners, a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• 3 grades of bits are available: BLUWIN (deluxe) and Irwin (standard), and Clinton (utility)
• no interior stickers, label, or liners
• those chests manufactured for U. S. Navy may display exterior label marked ONE U.S. NAVY AUGER BIT SET on side of box
• stems of bits in U. S. Navy sets may or may not be unpolished

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Little Six Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,12 bits)

ca. 1947-ca. 1951 "black stamp" Borchest

• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• word IRWIN inside single-line rectangle stamped on lid in black
• full-size chests with slightly rounded edges, two hasps, three hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests with radiused corners, a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• 2 grades of bits are available: BLUWIN (deluxe) and Irwin (standard)
• box liner is red-orange and black; liner is matte rather than glossy
• shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Bits booklet
• chests manufactured for U. S. Navy have no interior paper or booklet
• chests manufactured for U. S. Navy may display exterior label marked ONE U.S. NAVY AUGER BIT SET on side of box

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Little Six Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,12 bits)

ca. 1951-ca. 1956 Borchest

• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• full-size chests with slightly rounded edges, a draw latch, two hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests with radiused corners, a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• 2 grades of bits are available: BLUWIN (deluxe) and Irwin (standard)
• shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Bits booklet
• ca. 1951-ca. 1952 word IRWIN stamped in black inside single-line rectangle on lid
• ca. 1951-ca. 1952 box liner is red-orange and black; liner is matte rather than glossy
• ca. 1953-1956 box liner is green
• ca. 1953-1956 small green label on lid lists manufacturer as: The Irwin Auger Bit Company
• 1955—red "As seen in the Saturday Evening Post" sticker applied to box liner
• chests manufactured for the United States Navy have no interior labels, or liners
• chests manufactured for United States Navy may display exterior label marked ONE U.S. NAVY AUGER BIT SET on side of box

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Little Six Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 bits)

ca. 1957-ca. 1959 "minimal paper" Borchest

• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• full-size chests with square corners, a draw latch, two hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests with square corners, a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• Bluwin grade bits eliminated leaving only the Irwin standard grade
• partial green box liner
• small green label on lid list manufacturer as: The Irwin Auger Bit Company
• small green lid-label also attached to interior of box
• shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Bits booklet

• available sets:
• Carpenter's set (13 bits, sizes 4-13)
• Handy Set (9 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 plus 1 screwdriver bit)
• Home Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16)
• Little Six Set (6 bits, sizes 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 bits)

ca. 1959-ca. 1977 Borchest

• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• full-size chests chests with square corners, a draw latch, two hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests with square corners, a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• full green box liner reappears
• small green label on lid lists manufacturer as: The Irwin Auger Bit Company
• ca. 1956-1970 shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Bits booklet (hand-with-bit cover)
• beginning 1971 shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Wood Bits booklet (three-bit cover)

ca. 1977-ca. 1983 Borchest

• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• full-size chests full-size chests with square corners, a type two draw latch, two hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests with square corners, a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• full green box liner
• small green label on lid lists manufacturer as: The Irwin Auger Bit Company
• shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Wood Bits booklet (three-bit cover)

ca. 1983-19?? "red liner" Borchest

• NOT ILLUSTRATED
• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• full-size chests full-size chests with square corners, a type 2 draw latch, two hinges attached to back of box
• six-bit chests with square corners, a single hasp, two hinges that extend over its topside
• full red box liner
• small red label on lid lists manufacturer as: The Irwin Company
• shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Wood Bits booklet (three-bit cover)

Later variations of the "red liner" Borchest have not been studied.

ca. 1966-ca. 1980 "expansive bit" Borchest

• chest includes an expansive bit and has a clip for its extra cutter
• lacquer-finished chests equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• full-size chest with square corners, a draw latch, two hinges attached to back of box
• contains 13 auger bits, 1 expansive bit, a second expansive bit cutter
• separate clip for second expansive bit cutter
• ca. 1977-ca.1980 fitted with type 2 draw latch
• no box liner
• small green label on lid lists manufacturer as: The Irwin Auger Bit Company
• ca. 1966-1970 shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Bits booklet (hand-with-bit cover)
• beginning 1971 shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Wood Bits booklet (three-bit cover)

ca. 1976-ca. 1980 "metallic" Borchest

• chest includes an expansive bit with an extra cutter
• steel chest equipped with Bannister and Robinson's patented bit-holding clip
• no specialized clips to hold extra expansive bit cutter
• full-size chest with square corners, piano-type hinge attaches the two halves of the box.
• fitted with a draw latch
• no box liner
• small green label on lid lists manufacturer as: The Irwin Auger Bit Company
• shipped with How to Select, Use and Care for Wood Bits booklet (three-bit cover)

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