b61-369 BOW DRILL. Eicke Patent. Very rare example of the bow drill patented in 1883 by Louis Eicke of New York. This type of bow drill is typically associated with the pianomaking industry that flourished in New York in the late 1800s, and Eicke's description states that his invention was specifically intended for pianomakers. He describes how the ivory spindle of these drills has a tendency to crack, and how his design takes the strain off the spindle to avoid this result. He must have been right, since the spindle on this drill, unlike most we see, isn't cracked. 12" long, with a rosewood handle and clearly marked, it comes with a 30" rosewood handled bow made of Solingen steel which is a good match, and a set of eight interchangeable bits with two different types of thumbscrews. From the collection of Don Rosebrook. Fine 2000-4000