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

[RanWhenParked]

This is a great thread - I have one from my dad that I've wondered about this stuff.

 

[coachcowan]

Please help! My dad passed away last month and I found this Vise in his basement. I’m trying to learn about it. I read that the date should be stamped on the key but this one does not have a stamp. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Shiftless]

First, my condolences on the passing of your dad.

That vise has a few issues, but is still worth a couple hundred dollars to the right person.

It’s a huge vise weighting in at nearly 200 pounds. Six inch wide jaws, right? Sure, it’s rusty, has a non factory home made handle, is missing the handles for the swivel lock down and is also missing the end cap that fits on the very back end of the vise.

Based on your photos, I’d say it’s about 50-60 years old.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

coach,

You have what looks like a very salvageable Wilton C3 there. I'm sure one of the experts will chime in with the approximate age. Please, for the sake of the rest of us save that vise! It looks like all it needs is a new handle and a dust cap. Many on here would be very grateful to have an heirloom wilton in their possession.

 

[WRX/Z28]

Wilton 940 bullet with some light surface rust. Is this the original color? Anyone know? Seems this was made in 1945? From what I understand in OP, they had a 5 year warranty and the date is the expiration of it? Or is that only if it says EXP? Gonna evaporust the chrome pieces and sand/steel wool the other areas. Considering a repaint.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Is this the original color?...[ ]...From what I understand in OP, they had a 5 year warranty and the date is the expiration of it? Or is that only if it says EXP?

That seems to have a tad more lime in it than the more typical original color, which some refer to as "sage" green, and others as "hospital" (which you have to be old enough to comprehend) green, but it sure looks original to me. Unless a PO stripped it and painted it that a looooong time ago.

EDIT: With the caveat that I am not trying to talk you into preserving it, because that is your prerogative, and there are so many of these out there, it's not a case of ruining a historical artifact, as other Puritans sometimes try to imply or implore, that is A LOT of original paint. If you didn't absolutely hate the color, and you had any little hankering for keeping it original, you could probably touch up the few bare spots.

As for your second question, only if it says "GUAR. EXP." in this era*, and those were made from 1954 through 1961 (and stamped "GUAR. EXP." and "x-59" through "x-66").

* It has come to recent light, via Fierljeppen theory, that they may have been stamping vises with a postdated 5-year guarantee date in the 70's without the GUAR. EXP, but that is irrelevant to your vise.

 

[WRX/Z28]

That seems to have a tad more lime in it than the more typical original color, which some refer to as "sage" green, and others as "hospital" (which you have to be old enough to comprehend) green, but it sure looks original to me. Unless a PO stripped it and painted it that a looooong time ago.

EDIT: With the caveat that I am not trying to talk you into preserving it, because that is your prerogative, and there are so many of these out there, it's not a case of ruining a historical artifact, as other Puritans sometimes try to imply or implore, that is A LOT of original paint. If you didn't absolutely hate the color, and you had any little hankering for keeping it original, you could probably touch up the few bare spots.

I’d much rather touch it up and keep it original than repaint it. I have others I’m going to go the full resto route, but this is so clean, I think a disassemble/de-rust/clean/grease/reassemble would do it if I can find the color... or close. I like it as is, just less rust and flaked paint would be nice.

Guess I need to order a few cans of paint to try to match. Someone on FB said key lime... doesn’t look that bright to me.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Guess I need to order a few cans of paint to try to match. Someone on FB said key lime... doesn’t look that bright to me.

Me neither. But it does look a little lime-ier than the Rustoleum Gloss Sage Green that several guys have been using. Since you're only touching up a few spots, you may be able to get away with making a sort of homemade glaze to match your original color with the Rustoleum Gloss Sage Green and some kind of Rustoleum Lime color and dabbing it on. You could smooth out the bumps that a dabbing action makes after it has dried and cured with fine grade sand paper or steel wool and bring the gloss back up with wax.

 

[Fierljeppen]

As for your second question, only if it says "GUAR. EXP." in this era*, and those were made from 1954 through 1961 (and stamped "GUAR. EXP." and "x-59" through "x-66").

* It has come to recent light, via Fierljeppen theory, that they may have been stamping vises with a postdated 5-year guarantee date in the 70's without the GUAR. EXP, but that is irrelevant to your vise.

"bluebolt" did a great job with his database of all the different datestamps. Here's the link, for those playing at home.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XPd0wMd6vseGwtNc0_PCa6jPnCfZ1YHWZppnqi2FM60/edit#gid=0

These are the "GUAR EXP" stamped dates from bluebolts and my own database, which are in unison.

1959_GUAR_EXP
1960_GUAR_EXP
1961_GUAR_EXP
1962_GUAR_EXP
1963_GUAR_EXP
1964_GUAR_EXP

My current theory has the expiration date stamped on the slide, going minimally into the 1980's.

Here's some new pertinent information from a Wilton 1963/1964 catalog no.117

 

[kai96]

vise #1.
Obviously abused. But its got a date
6/47
It has the brass swivel base nuts..

 

[kai96]

vise #2
Shiller park model. Obtained it with no swivel base. Needed a little clean up and some paint.
No date. And it has a much shorter guide key..
The base was added from another.

 

[exmaxima1]

Please help! My dad passed away last month and I found this Vise in his basement. I’m trying to learn about it. I read that the date should be stamped on the key but this one does not have a stamp. Any help is appreciated!

I've never seen the bottom view of a C3, but I'm surprised it doesn't have a full locking ring in lieu of the segment locks. I thought those were only on Tradesman vises.

 

[pikapp]

Any chance the guide has been flipped over? I’ve read where people flip them to use the side with less wear on it. Maybe the date code is underneath, waiting to be discovered...


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Old Radar]

Hi all. I've read about half this thread and skimmed most of the rest. I'm finally getting around to fixing up my Chicago Cadet that I got this summer.

The date on the key is 11-30-56 and I thought I understood that to be the manufacture date. Reading this thread has caused some doubts. I triple checked and there is no indication of a GUAR EXP stamp on the key or anywhere on the barrel. Since 11-30-56 is close to the middle of the '54-'61 period when Wilton was using the GUAR EXP stamp, it's hard to swallow that someone would have slipped up and put the manufacture date on it.

I know I read that someone had seen a similar anomalous date on a Cadet but is seems that Cadets were thrown out of the equation because of the confusion the 1, 2 & 3 year guarantee was causing. Was there a resolution and I missed it or is the jury still out?

 

[Roberts210]

Here's one I picked up last week. Date on the slide is 175. Jan, 1975.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Hi all. I've read about half this thread and skimmed most of the rest. I'm finally getting around to fixing up my Chicago Cadet that I got this summer.

The date on the key is 11-30-56 and I thought I understood that to be the manufacture date. Reading this thread has caused some doubts. I triple checked and there is no indication of a GUAR EXP stamp on the key or anywhere on the barrel. Since 11-30-56 is close to the middle of the '54-'61 period when Wilton was using the GUAR EXP stamp, it's hard to swallow that someone would have slipped up and put the manufacture date on it.

I know I read that someone had seen a similar anomalous date on a Cadet but is seems that Cadets were thrown out of the equation because of the confusion the 1, 2 & 3 year guarantee was causing. Was there a resolution and I missed it or is the jury still out?

Fierljeppen and blubolt have done extensive dating collection on the wiltons. the 54-61 was wayyy back in this thread that was the initial thought abut guar exp dates.. but in the last couple year, hundreds, if not thousands more have surfaced and narrowed down the dates to what he posted below

These are the "GUAR EXP" stamped dates from bluebolts and my own database, which are in unison.

1959_GUAR_EXP
1960_GUAR_EXP
1961_GUAR_EXP
1962_GUAR_EXP
1963_GUAR_EXP
1964_GUAR_EXP

I've never seen the bottom view of a C3, but I'm surprised it doesn't have a full locking ring in lieu of the segment locks. I thought those were only on Tradesman vises.

That style c3 had both.. I believe wilton was experimenting with bases for that vise, as that swivel base was the weak link of that vise. I've had four of that style and two with the full ring, and two with the locking lugs like a tradesman. I can't remember the exact dates, but somewhere around the mid to late 70's is when a lot of the C series vises got the machined lip on the bottom to be able to accept the tradesman style lugs without the full ring.

 

[Old Radar]

Fierljeppen and blubolt have done extensive dating collection on the wiltons. the 54-61 was wayyy back in this thread that was the initial thought abut guar exp dates.. but in the last couple year, hundreds, if not thousands more have surfaced and narrowed down the dates to what he posted below

Thanks AB! I appreciate the reply!

 

[banjopete]

Well I cleaned up the vise i traded my 8" tradesman monster for. Here's the stamp on the slide too. This is the Italian made glisenti. Does that make it 1963?

Sent from my SM-G960W using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[exmaxima1]

Current style Wilton C0 combo vise

 

[Unclejumbo]

Hi all, too new to post pics and links. I picked up a Wilton C1 yesterday locally which was cross-listed on Ebay. This is the Ebay listing title: Vintage WILTON C1 BULLET VISE 4 1/2” Jaws Pipe Jaws w/Swivel Base 101169.

There is no date on the key. The key appears to be held in place with roll-pins. The swivel base has cleats as opposed to the inner ring I've seen on other examples. The base also is missing any stamped part # and appears to be a different casting than other examples. (namely varied thickness in the walls versus uniform) It does not have the center dowel hole in the vise bottom. The 'C1' marking is not present.

Besides the part # on the sliding jaw, there is what appears to be 'star' or an 'A' inside of the top part of a 'D' and roman numerals XII.

I'm curious if anyone can provide a date range on this and if the base and cleats are correct for that period. Thanks.

 

[PeterPeter]

I picked up this no.3 last week. About as early as you get. No stamp. No handled hold downs. No indents. Patent Pend. Smooth jaws. Lime green paint. The handle and acorn nuts are chrome plated. Never seen that before. Is this the first iteration of the bullet?
Peter

 

[exmaxima1]

I would agree that the chrome plating is unusual, and probably done by the owner at some point in its life.

 

[PeterPeter]

I would agree that the chrome plating is unusual, and probably done by the owner at some point in its life.

I read that Wilton started with the 4” vise. Any idea when the no.3 was introduced?

Peter

 

[Roberts210]

Agreed on the owner doing the chrome job. If Wilton had done it, it wouldn't have peeled like that.

 

[Roberts210]

This Wilton stationary vise has a January '75 date stamp.
Before and after photos.

But can anyone answer this question: This 3" Wilton is 11-3/4" from the tip of the bullet to the horseshoe washer. I owned another 3" Wilton machinist's vice years ago... it was an Oct. 1954 vise. I no longer have it, but looking at pictures, it looks to be a little shorter than this '75 vise. Did Wilton change the length of the 3" machinist's vise over the years?

 

[Outlawmws]

Rob - I have one: 25 lbs w/Swivel base - Gaur Exp 12-31-59 so 12/1954

Same length

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks Outlaw.

 

[J. Dursey]

I need a little help fellas. I just purchased this vise and need help identifying it. The previous owner claims it is a 4" Wilton. I'm looking to locate a swivel base for it asap. I'd be much obliged for any help provided.

 

[exmaxima1]

That's a Wilton Mechanics vise, but not a "Bullet" model. Pretty sure it's a 5-inch jaw. Not sure what the model number was.

 

[J. Dursey]

That's a Wilton Mechanics vise, but not a "Bullet" model. Pretty sure it's a 5-inch jaw. Not sure what the model number was.

Thank you! You are right...my bad definitely a 5 inch

 

[beatcad]

3-51

 

[AngryBeaver]

I need a little help fellas. I just purchased this vise and need help identifying it. The previous owner claims it is a 4" Wilton. I'm looking to locate a swivel base for it asap. I'd be much obliged for any help provided.

wilton 754,755, or 756 mechanics vise. last model number is jaw width. uses the same base as any tradesman (wilton). uses same jaws as the older tradesman (1750, 1760, etc).

the year and month will also be stamped on the bottom of the slide, and depending on the year, sometimes after the part number on the spindle. that one is usa made.

These were shipped overseas in 2003 and will have the jaw size with the letter A cast into the side of them on the jaw towers when they were made overseas

 

[beatcad]

I may never see these #s again but maybe some one in another 70 years will figure it out

 

[hunter9]

I’ve got an old No. 4, I’ve owned it for 15 years, picked it up out of an old auto parts store machine shop that had been around at least since the 40’s.
Looking for input on age based on the info I have and can share. The date stamp is a little unclear as you can see by the stamp on the slide. No other stamp marks anywhere on it.

 

[beatcad]

Done

 

[DFUSEME]

My buddy just gave me this vise. There is no date on it so I am trying to see if anyone knows what year it could be? From what I have found so far is it possible to be made in ‘41-44?

It has 4.5” jaws. Does anyone know what model this may be? I do need to order a few parts for it and spend some time restoring it.

Sorry for all the questions. I am totally new to all this but fascinated and ready to go down the rabbit hole.

 

[Outlawmws]

Have you had the slide out and checked the key for numbers?

 

[DFUSEME]

Sure did and there are none on the slide or slide key.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The collective conventional wisdom for a vise with all the early features and no date stamp on the key is wartime, but the earliest wartime models had a PAT PEN or PAT PEND marking. Nobody knows how long the PAT PEN/D were produced, though, so it is generalized as early/41-43, making vises like yours generalized as late/44, edit:...before they started stamping the key with a production date, when they started offering a guarantee.

 

[DFUSEME]

The collective conventional wisdom for a vise with all the early features and no date stamp on the key is wartime, but the earliest wartime models had a PAT PEN or PAT PEND marking. Nobody knows how long the PAT PEN/D were produced, though, so it is generalized as early/41-43, making vises like yours generalized as late/44, edit:...before they started stamping the key with a production date, when they started offering a guarantee.

This is great information! Thank you very much. Any idea what model this would be?