What is this cap on this vise handle?

[arborgent]

Cleared some brush on the back of my lot and found and old slab foundation. Amongst the the ruins were a Babco 140 vise. Curiously, this one was made in India, whereas every Babco vise I've been able to find online is marked "JAPAN". Anyways, I've got it all pulled apart and am the midst of restoring it. I'd like to seperate the handle the from the acme rod. On the ends of the nubbins there are what looks like maybe caps that I'm thinking could be hiding a screw? Which would be nice for pulling the handle apart and getting everything cleaned up good. Or could they be some sort of rivet or pin and I should just leave well enough alone? If anyone has any insights let me know before go off trying to pry or chisel these "caps" off.

 

[The Cobbler]

looks like it's peened

 

[arborgent]

looks like it's peened

definitely something squashed in there. I'm wondering if its a pin that extends down into the main shaft of the handle. Now that I'm thinking on it, I suppose I could could try drilling into to check for a hollow space if it is indeed a "cap" hiding a screw head....if not just weld it back in I suppose.

 

[RTM]

Probably the end of your main shaft on the outside, peened over enough to hold it in place. May have even been installed hot and shrunk before peening. Or maybe it's a conical wedge jammed in there.

Never seen a Babco India vise, may be made an even cheaper way, but screws, typically are only on a wood working vise.

¢¢

 

[SweetD]

That's a pretty cool random find on your property!

I doubt those handle ends are attached with a separate fastener.