If you follow the link it will take you to the trademark info.I have a 204-1/2 M2 with the “u” raised up and not uniform font. Any idea why these are this way? I have seen a few in pics but don’t know why. Thanks
What's interesting about that is that the Columbian Vise & Manufacturing Co. TM application, filed on June 22, 1954, granted May 3, 1955, claimed first use on July 7, 1952. Methinks that means first use explicitly for levels. They did make levels in the 50's and 60's. Oddly, there is no history of its use as a trademark on other goods, i.e., vises, in the TM record at the USPTO. The other aspect in play here is the name of the business entity. Columbia Hardware Co. may have registered that TM for vises earlier than 1927.The earliest ad I could find with that particular style logo showed up in 1918.
That is exactly the case. I already found it.Columbian Hardware Co. may have registered that TM for vises earlier than 1927.

That is exactly the case. I already found it.
This is the TM record that vintage Columbian vise collectors want to reference, not the other one, which was, as I hunched, to extend it to levels.
Note that it was registered by Columbian Hardware in 1926 and renewed by Columbian Vise & Mfg in 1946, when the name changed.
The coolest factoid is the extensive and prideful first use note, which claims "since as early as the year 1890."
Fierjeppen:
The earliest ad I could find with that particular style logo showed up in 1918. It replaced the older "triangle C" logo.
That is exactly the case. I already found it.
This is the TM record that vintage Columbian vise collectors want to reference, not the other one, which was, as I hunched, to extend it to levels.
Note that it was registered by Columbian Hardware in 1926 and renewed by Columbian Vise & Mfg in 1946, when the name changed.
The coolest factoid is the extensive and prideful first use note, which claims "since as early as the year 1890."
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I think it's a reference to a predecessor. Did you read the whole thing? I only quoted the first part. It reminds me of an SAT question. Seriously.I'm not sure how the Columbian Hardware Co. could have used the trademark in 1890, since they weren't organized until 1901?
This is the part that may need some interdisciplinary calculus...It reminds me of an SAT question. Seriously.
I think it's a reference to a predecessor. Did you read the whole thing? I only quoted the first part. It reminds me of an SAT question. Seriously.


After reading the hours of research your question generated. This little brain comes to the "conclusion" that the ununiform font that I think I'm seeing also is actually a representation of the companys beginnings, a horseshoe "u" between a vise "LM", not obvious in this age but maybe back then.I have a 204-1/2 M2 with the “u” raised up and not uniform font. Any idea why these are this way? I have seen a few in pics but don’t know why. Thanks
I've decided on this...Either way, I'm still trying figure out the math in that stilted English.
...being 1895...in actual use as a trade-mark by the applicant (and applicant's predecessors from who title was derived) for ten years next preceding February 25, 1905."