Odd drill bit

[Dave Smith]

I think it is so only the one side is doing the cutting--but still can't see everything from the pictures clearly.

You did not misread...still no explanation for the odd fluting.:thinking:

 

[genec]

I'm going to guess that it is an early gun drill.

 

[cdhknives]

The forums reduce the resolution of uploaded pictures. Full resolution pics are here:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/cdhcmh/Knives/tools/Lathe/20130717_223223_zps14c27201.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/cdhcmh/Knives/tools/Lathe/20130717_223247_zps6f69c9a2.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/cdhcmh/Knives/tools/Lathe/20130717_223307_zps380391b1.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/cdhcmh/Knives/tools/Lathe/20130717_212639_zps6de99d41.jpg