J. Buck wood augers

[andersonec]

Can anybody throw any light on these wood augers?
I have had a search and found the 'Buck Brothers' who started in Sheffield in the 1800's and then moved to the USA, the dad was 'Joseph Buck' and wondered if they could be one and the same.
They are obviously hand made.

Two inch bit

Stamped J.Buck.

Inch and a quarter bit stamped Buck Town Made and a star after.

The other two are half inch and a quarter inch.

Andy

 

[AndyT]

They are normally called centre bits. Easy to use and sharpen. Best to drill from one side until the spike emerges then go back in from the other side, to avoid splintering. Then again, they are good for making large shallow flat bottomed holes eg to make a hollowed out box from solid for an oilstone.