The Piece

Early 20th-Century American Drill Index Set
Steel drill bits in fitted metal case
Huot Manufacturing, St. Paul, Minnesota
c.1926–1933

An early 20th-century drill index set manufactured by Huot of St. Paul, Minnesota, housed in a compact hinged metal case stamped “DRILL INDEX” and marked with the maker’s name and location. The case features a durable hammered industrial finish and a precisely organized interior.

Inside, a graduated series of steel twist drill bits is held upright by stamped steel retaining bands and indexed with an integrated size guide. The design prioritizes order, visibility, and protection, reflecting professional workshop use rather than household tooling.

Product Details

→ Steel twist drill bits
→ Graduated size set
→ Stamped steel interior index and retaining bands
→ Hinged metal case with hammered finish
→ Exterior stamp: “DRILL INDEX”
→ Maker stamp: “HUOT / ST. PAUL”
→ Huot Manufacturing, St. Paul, Minnesota
→ Circa 1926–1933

Historical Context

Huot Manufacturing was founded in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1926 and is historically credited with developing the first drill index as a standardized tool-storage system in the early 1930s. These cases emerged as American industry emphasized speed, organization, and repeatable precision across machine shops and maintenance environments.

Compact drill indexes such as this were designed to withstand daily handling while keeping cutting tools protected and immediately accessible. Their form reflects early industrial design values: durability, clarity, and efficiency without ornament.

Condition + Updates

Exceptionally well-preserved for its age.

The metal case shows light surface wear consistent with careful handling. Hinges operate smoothly, and all interior indexing remains legible. The drill bits display minimal oxidation and light signs of use, suggesting long-term protected storage and limited wear.

No cleaning or alterations beyond light handling.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This piece is about order and restraint.

Closed, it reads as a compact industrial object with quiet authority. Open, it reveals a disciplined system of form and function that feels deliberate rather than decorative. It works equally well as a functional tool index, a studio object, or a materially driven accent within an interior that values authenticity and purpose.

From Viridian Eclection

Viridian Eclection curates objects that document how work was organized, executed, and respected. This Huot drill index represents early 20th-century American industry distilled to essentials—durable materials, precise structure, and a design meant to last without explanation.