@ drivesitfar : Thanks for the heads up and the info, much appreciated. It would be my first vise restoration, but I figured we all have to start somewhere! I've restored many vintage tools and a few cars, so I'm not beyond taking on a project - something to be said about saving something from being trashed and returning it to a serviceable state (as I'm sure many of you would probably agree). I take care of all my tools and still have the original set of mechanics tools my old man got for me when I was 12, so yes, seeing this broken definitely makes me cringe.
@ Outlawmws : Love the optimism man. As far as welding skills, I'd have to say beginner level. My main skill set is woodworking, but any material that can be milled, machined, welded, bolted, cut or otherwise manipulated is of interest! Metalworking wise, I've worked extensively with copper in a fine art setting - but not with steel. Welding wise it's limited to SMAW and wire. TIG welding I've never done nor do I own a welder currently. Living near an industrial area, there are plenty of places I know to go where I could use a welder, most likely stick, or I could simply take it somewhere as honestly, I do not believe myself to be competent enough of a metal worker to fix this myself.
Another option, as drivesitfar has suggested, would be to simply see if it could be used as is. I'd like to fix it obviously, but haven't paid someone to weld (and as such unsure of what I could expect to pay) or risk using it in an as-is state. Unsure if the damaged area, because I've yet to see it in person, is a critical area for the overall strength of the vise.
Again, thanks to all who have answered so far!
I have a few pieces here which I applied it to and left the excess rather than removing it, several months ago, and they're still slightly soft. It's internal casting protection, so matters not. Curious to see as to whether it'll ever oxidise and harden fully though. 
I really want a 4-5 inch wilton with a swiveling face.
