Columbian 604 1/2 M Vise.

[mantuamark]

I purchased one of these recently, and it just has a "M" on it. I've read on this forum about a 604 1/2 not having a M anywhere, and others talked about a M2 and a M3, so what does just M mean? Any help identifying age or color or anything meaningful would be appreciated. Thanks. Mark

 

[RTM]

Edit: Ignore this, wrong era. In my opinion, the M is a revision or model number. I have something from them that is a Columbian D44-M3 I think. There are M2 and M4 out there. Mine seems like a 1980 vintage

 

[Fierljeppen]

I purchased one of these recently, and it just has a "M" on it. I've read on this forum about a 604 1/2 not having a M anywhere, and others talked about a M2 and a M3, so what does just M mean? Any help identifying age or color or anything meaningful would be appreciated. Thanks. Mark

Need photos of your vise, Columbian made vises with a "M" going all the way back to the 1910's.

 

[mantuamark]

I purchased one of these recently, and it just has a "M" on it. I've read on this forum about a 604 1/2 not having a M anywhere, and others talked about a M2 and a M3, so what does just M mean? Any help identifying age or color or anything meaningful would be appreciated. Thanks. Mark

Need photos of your vise, Columbian made vises with a "M" going all the way back to the 1910's.

Thanks for you replies. Here are some pictures if anyone can tell me more. Do the M2 and M3 models actually say "M2" and "M3", or you just know by some other way? This has a single M with a circle around it - on each side of the vise.

 

[RTM]

You can ignore my comments, completely different era of vise.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Your vise is from the era of (1926-1960).

It has the "Columbian Vise & Mfg." casting, so it's after 1926, but before 1960, when Columbian made a dramatic design change. From my own experience knowing these Columbian machinist vises, I'd say your vise is an early version of that design era.



Yes, the "M2" and "M3" were stamped on the vise, right after the model no. The "M2" started in 1960 and lasted into the 1980's, when Columbian replaced the "T" jaw design, the beginning of "M3" models.




Good purchase, my outdoor vise is an older Columbian machinist vise and it's always served me well.

 

[mantuamark]

Thanks for your help

 

[1982fxr]

I think the M you're looking at may be a foundry mark.