Clawfoot tub has no overflow drain?!

[Wade Henderson]

I have a clawfoot tub that has no overflow? I can't find any info or another one like it, much less the drain setup for it. There is a weird something attached to the back that might work to help guide a drill but is it ridiculous to think I can cleanly drill through a clawfoot tub? Hopefully my images attached properly. The tub dates to 1899. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sylvan]

In the old days many claw foot tubs did not have an over flow BUT to make matters worse the water supply was below the flood level rim creating a very dangerous back flow condition of waste water entering the potable water supply

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Marlinman]

Your tub would have had a "Standing Waste Drain" that has a internal overflow.

 

[Wade Henderson]

Awesome. This is just what I needed. Learn something new every day. Thank you!