A direct current motor has a wound stator, a permanent magnet rotor having a commutator assembly, and brush gear. The brush gear has a first pole brush, a second pole brush and a plurality of commutating brushes. The commutator assembly has a cylindrical insulating base, and first and second members fixed to the base. The first member includes a radially extending first slip ring and a number of axially extending first bars. The second member includes a radially extending second slip ring and a number of axially extending second bars. The first and second pole brushes make continuous sliding contact with the first and second slip rings respectively. The first and second bars are fixed to the outer cylindrical surface of the base and form a cylindrical surface against which the commutating brushes make sliding contact.