Wilton Bullet Vise date stamping. show yours with or without EXP on slide

[beltdrive]

I just received another number 3 that I purchased. see pics. Someone did a nice refinishing job and this example has very little wear to the jaws....very nice early example with Pat Pending lettering....also showing NO date stamp on the slide. My theory is that circa 1941 vises with pat pending lettering have no stamp (this is my fourth pat pending vise that shows no date stamp of any kind); and that when the pat pending lettering was removed in the mid 40s there was an actual date stamp used (not adding warranty years). Who knows what went on during the war. I have purchased another number 3 and will post pics soon...it is a Chicago number 3 without the pat pend lettering and it has an 11-45 date stamp. The latter vise I had to take to a machine shop to get the screws out to remove the jaws for refinishing...when they have more wear a lot of times the screw heads get smashed up over the years and just will not come out.

 

[chrismenke]

Here's a new aquisition...date 4/945. No Pat Pending. No markings other than Wilton, Chicago, USA on the bullet and HD on the side of the static jaw. 4 inch jaw width, lines on the jaws.

 

[KMScott]

Cleaning up a 4-1/2 Cadet and this code mentions the actual Guarantee expiration date. I did not get a great picture but it says 12-31-55.

 

[Richmond_Scott]

Mine has 5-945 stamped on the key way. it is a 3 inch jaw, 3HD made in Chicago, with no patent shown.

 

[jreb10]

Anything is possible. The hard part is sorting out the jumble of data.

I think your comment of the surplus being stamped post war has merit... (more on this below...)

The thing we need more of is markings of Chicago era vises without dates.

Here is a Chicago Wilton that is without a date. Now, this vise is a basket case, and I got it looking for parts. I will later carefully grind down some of the welding to see if it may be possible to save it.




That said, it has no Patent Pending marking, and no apparent model designation. It has 4.5 " jaws. I did find a possible model number way below the static jaw by the base. There is another designation underneath the static jaw:



The swivel also has a possible model number.



Interestingly, the swivel locks were brass or bronze. I have not seen that before.



Feel free to chime in and tell me what you think I have.

Edit: Seems to look a lot like the Wilton posted up by Thundermug in post #80 this thread. If you look in his photo you can sort of see the "No. 4" down real low at the base of the static jaw.

 

[topop101]

Here is my No. 3 Wilton. I'm in the middle of it.

 

[topop101]

Here is the rest of my bullets. One is an 835 Chicago stamped 10-45.
Next is a Schiller Park 8300 N stamped GUAR EXP 6-30-62
My last bullet is a Schiller Park 1835 stamped GUAR EXP 12-31-63. This one may be helpful tracking since it is the last day of the year of 63.

 

[bluebolt]

My 5" bullets.

Wilton 5" machinists vise, date code is 3-46. This is the rough one I found sitting outside. Main body has Wilton Chicago USA on both sides and No. 4 on one side. Swivel base has No. 4 on it. Dynamic jaw has no markings I noticed

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158256&highlight=wilton



Wilton 9-500 5" bullet, Guar Exp date 12 31 59, Chicago 14 markings, swivel base vise
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3976140&postcount=16289

 

[454ragtop]

Looked at 3 of my Wiltons today, sorry wasn't up to removing the slide on the C2 and C3. The baby bullet, early I think because of the raised anvil, looks like 8-46, 8 and 4 are clear, 90% sure last number is a 6. This is marked Chicago on both sides, no mention of a patent, matter of fact no mention of a patent, or pending patent on any of these 3. Next is a C0, Schiller Park, no date stamped, but thinking it's later because of the indent in the side of the dynamic jaw for the Wilton crest decal. Last pic is of the slide to my 9300, 1-72, also Schiller Park. No mention of "guarantee" or "exp" anywhere on these also.
HTH, Jim

 

[Blue Frog]

Here's one I just acquired - a 3 1/2" labeled as 9350, but no date on the slide. Could this green color be an original for early bullets?




















Blue

 

[Outlawmws]

Here is my No. 3 Wilton. I'm in the middle of it.

Topop, no date on the No. 3?

 

[Adk Mike]

I just went out and looked at mine. It say 830 and the date is just 47. All original as far as I can tell. It came out of a local service station.

 

[exmaxima1]

Here's one I just acquired - a 3 1/2" labeled as 9350, but no date on the slide. Could this green color be an original for early bullets?

Blue

Not all that "early" with a Schiller Park marking. Late 50's maybe??

 

[Outlawmws]

The earliest SP date we have is 1962 with an EXP, so no earlier than '57. Ex max nailed it

 

[topop101]

Topop, no date on the No. 3?

No date on the no. 3 . That's why I was wondering if it was a common thing or had the key been replaced at one time. Sounds like it was common or standard to not have been stamped on the patent pending at least.

 

[topop101]

Not all that "early" with a Schiller Park marking. Late 50's maybe??

I think I read once that they started schiller park plant in 47. operated both schiller park and Chicago until 50 then closed the Chicago plant . Any have any other info on that ? Or have a later dated Chicago vise ?

 

[Outlawmws]

From Wilton Co. web page: "Wilton Tool Manufacturing stayed at the Chicago location until 1957 when they transitioned to the suburban Schiller Park, Illinois on Irving Park Rd just west of River Rd."

 

[Outlawmws]

Topop, "patent pending" can be found on all the Chicago undated vises (all so far are "No. X" Models), up to Dec of 1946 (which may or may not be an Expiration date)

The first Wilton Patent (D131,498) was applied for in 1941 and issued on Mar. 3 1942, and the above end of "Pat.Pending" in "1946" both supports the theory that ALL dates prior to late 63 are EXP dates.

While the Company claims "since 1941", if the early dates are EXP dates, that pushes start of production to at least April of 1940.

I suspect the company formed earlier than 1941, and was officially incorporated in 1941, which is where the "official date" comes from...

But the jury and the evidence is still out...

 

[drivesitfar]

TP: the Baby Bullets with Chicago on their sides have been stamped into the 70's so maybe they made thousands of those little guys at the original plant and just brought them all over to sell out of the new factory. I've heard late 50's too like Outlaw mentions.

All: i know GJ members own more Wilton bullets than any 5 internet sites and maybe more than Wilton so keep posting pictures of your pre 1970 bullet style vises with their stamped dates or note you couldn't find a date and post a picture of that slide too if you would.

thanks

 

[topop101]

From Wilton Co. web page: "Wilton Tool Manufacturing stayed at the Chicago location until 1957 when they transitioned to the suburban Schiller Park, Illinois on Irving Park Rd just west of River Rd."

Yeah I was off a decade.. That's what happens when I rely on my memory. Thanks for setting the record straight

 

[PghJKB]

Team Max got it's first baby (bullet) earlier this weekend.

No swivel base, smooth jaws, it looked like the PO worked with wiring. Looks to be the original paint, with very little use.

Chicago on the side but the date code looks to be 3 - 81. Chicago in 1981????

If you look closely; the 8 is upside down - in a hurry to leave on Friday, or hung over on Monday?

JKB

 

[bluebolt]

The baby bullets often have dates well past the Chicago era although that might be the latest one seen so far.

 

[TEXACMAN]

I received my vise from a family friend a couple years ago whose father had a machine shop. It's not perfect but it works great! Missing a few parts still. Could not find any numbers on key...any other areas with numbers ?

 

[drivesitfar]

Tex: can you edit your post and add a couple pictures and more information about your Wilton?

JKB: I'm happy you posted that 1981 baby bullet for a couple reasons. one like Bluebolt said it's probably the latest stamp on those Chicago babies that we've seen stamped into the 70's. the original Chicago factory must have made thousands of them to put on the shelf to last almost 40 years after they moved or maybe they never changed the cast?

another reason i'm happy you posted a Wilton bullet vise later than the 70's which is our target group is because you usually have a great wealth of vise knowledge and we need some more help figuring this Wilton stamping code out.

let us know what you think after seeing more Wiltons posted if you have time to check them out. Outlaw seems to be doing a good job on collecting the data so far and i thank him for that if he is. i'm sort of the guy trying to get more members with wilton bullets to post theirs here if stamped prior to 1970.

 

[Outlawmws]

The baby bullets often have dates well past the Chicago era although that might be the latest one seen so far.

Definitely the latest Chicago casting in the fledgling DB... Next latest is a 68 920, followed by a 65 925.

 

[jreb10]

Wilton Baby Bullet I got from CL last night. I think it is an 820 but the number is a bit smudged in the casting. Here are the photos:





The date seems to be "11 30 60". I did not know they stamped the day as well as the month.

 

[Outlawmws]

I think it depended on the guy doing the stamping. I've seen dates in the following patterns:

yy

m/yy

mm/yyyy

mm/dd/yy

yyyy

And my personal fav:

945 (meaning 1945...)

 

[j.t.d.]

Wilton 8400, 5-51 date code.

 

[j.t.d.]

Wilton 4" Cadet. Date code 12 30 67.

 

[McBrownie]

I think it depended on the guy doing the stamping. I've seen dates in the following patterns

And my personal fav:

945 (meaning 1945...)

or September '45? Will never know for sure.

 

[Outlawmws]

True but there were no spaces, and it ain't like they didn't have space...

 

[Outlawmws]

Wilton 8400, 5-51 date code.

OK guys: with 63 confirmed dates, this one just took out the last 5 year gap that could have supported a late start on "GUAR EXP"

I think this can be used to conclusively state that ALL the dates prior to about 12/64 are EXP dates. And the date they were made is 5 years prior... (Except for the Cadet's which had a 3 3 warranty)

 

[bluebolt]

Can't say as I agree with this Outlaw, I don't see any dates for bullets for the years 1954 -1955 1956 1957 and 1958. I only looked at bullets, not cadets.

Does anybody have a bullet with a 1954-1958 date on it?

 

[bagged89s10]

Here is mine in my Wilton 1760 I just picked up yesterday. 6/1993

 

[drivesitfar]

Outlaw: i think you need to edit your date from 12/32 to ?? Before i say for sure how Wilton marked their vises i also would like to see more vises from more of the years we are missing.

so you think the 1945 marked vises are still the 5 year warranty putting the actual date at 1940 which is prior to when Wilton had started their business?

BTW thank you for collecting the data and hopefully we'll have a lot more Wilton vises. i bet Zoomie might have close to 60 just in his tetnis area

ALL: if you have a Wilton bullet can you post the slide if it's a pre 1970's made vise with or without the date with a few pictures of your vise and any model #'s? thanks

 

[Outlawmws]

Can't say as I agree with this Outlaw, I don't see any dates for bullets for the years 1954 -1955 1956 1957 and 1958. I only looked at bullets, not cadets.

Does anybody have a bullet with a 1954-1958 date on it?

BB; The dates I have are:


0.59 12/53
1.58 06/30/55 GUAR EXP
0.50 12/31/1955 GUAR EXP
4.00 12/31/1959 GUAR EXP

The two in the middle are Cadets, But the jump to GUAR EXP, is now about 1-1/2 yrs...


Drives, the date is fixed and adjusted to a new date...

Also on the "Start of Wilton" I still think they were in production prior to Aug 1, 41 (patent applied for), or Mar. 3 1942 (Patent issued)

We have Patent pending vises as late as 12/46; Patent was issued in 3/42.

That is 4.8 years...

As far as the Wilton Web site claiming they started in 1941. The patent was applied for in Aug of 41. Patents take time to prepare...

I think they incorporated in 41, and the Co. "Historian" (Marketing?) decided that was it.

The earliest date minus 5 years = 4/40. There are at least 5 old model vises with NO dates...

I think I'm on reasonably solid ground given the data. 100%? No, but I'd go 99%

Outlaw: i think you need to edit your date from 12/32 to ?? Before i say for sure how Wilton marked their vises i also would like to see more vises from more of the years we are missing.

so you think the 1945 marked vises are still the 5 year warranty putting the actual date at 1940 which is prior to when Wilton had started their business?

BTW thank you for collecting the data and hopefully we'll have a lot more Wilton vises. i bet Zoomie might have close to 60 just in his tetnis area

ALL: if you have a Wilton bullet can you post the slide if it's a pre 1970's made vise with or without the date with a few pictures of your vise and any model #'s? thanks

 

[exmaxima1]

As far as the Wilton Web site claiming they started in 1941. The patent was applied for in Aug of 41. Patents take time to prepare...

I think they incorporated in 41, and the Co. "Historian" (Marketing?) decided that was it.

The earliest date minus 5 years = 4/40. There are at least 5 old model vises with NO dates...

I think I'm on reasonably solid ground given the data. 100%? No, but I'd go 99%

So are saying that you believe there were "Chicago" vises built BEFORE "Pat Pend" vises? If so, I have trouble with that. Back then, patents were taken very seriously, and manufacturers would not risk putting products in the market prior to patent. And AFAIK the castings of the 2 versions are slightly different around the swivel clamp area. I find it much more plausible that the No Date vises were wartime versions built after the patent was approved.

And I still believe that many of the early dated vises were overstock war production that was date-stamped after the war for sale to the public. There would be no way to accurately date the true manufacture of that early production. Unless it says "Guar Exp" I would not assume that any date is off by 5 years.

 

[Garageguy54]

He are my Wilton CO date 6-30-64 guar exp.(on the left)
Also my Wilton 930( on the right)

 

[Garageguy54]

My Wilton CO dated 6-30-64 guar exp

 

[Garageguy54]

Also my Wilton 930 dated 9-47