LONG-overdue post: This is the cleanest, oldest Prentiss Vise that I’ve ever owned, and it comes with two never-seen surprises
As a lover and avid researcher of the Prentiss Vise Company, this may not be my holy grail…but it’s close. Retrieved from the basement of an old home in Nobleboro, Maine, this Prentiss № 1 (2 5/8 jaws) is in incredible condition, and was made between 1877-1894. It’s still coated with 99% of the original japanning finish, and the tail is pristine enough that the rarely-seen “Prentiss Vise Co, NY” stamp is still visible. But that’s not even the best part…There are two “features” of this vise that I’ve never seen or heard of before, both of which are only present because of how well the vise has been preserved.
#1: Initially when I received the vise, I noticed the handle didn’t slide smoothly through the spindle. At first I simply suspected gunk or rust inside the meatball, but no…there’s a small spring inside the meatball, compressing the handle so that it can be slid to any position and conveniently kept in place. I imagine with use, this spring inevitably would wear down and fall out, explaining why I’ve never seen another Prentiss vise that still possesses one.
#2: The only visible hammer marks on the vise surround the tops of both jaws, but they’re still light and few enough that the eye can see at least three patent stamps, “MCH 17 68, APR 11 71, FEB 6 77”, with potentially one other barely visible. These correspond perfectly to the dates of the first patents that Prentiss held, including Mason Prentiss’ original 1868 swivel jaw patent.
The presence of the February 6, 1877 obviously indicates a manufacture date of no earlier than 1877. I also believe it was made no later than 1894. At this time, Prentiss began advertising its vises with thicker walls on the static jaw that resulted in a very visible tapered slope between the top of the static jaw and the swivel jaw. I have an example of this later style in my collection as well.
So pleased to have this wonderful example in my collection. Pieces like this further our understanding of a companies whose histories are quickly disappearing. Let’s keep it alive!
