Were older Reed vises painted from the factory?

[Weissbier]

I have a 203 1/2 Reed vise which I believe is from 1942 (it’s so dirty that it’s difficult to read the stamp). I’m going to start cleaning it, but I don’t want to strip off any potential paint that’s on it. My question is: were these vises painted black or some other color from the factory? Or were they left bare metal? I appreciate any input!

 

[RTM]

Believe it or not, you aren’t the first to ask this question. Here are some answers from over the years.

Search results for query: Reed paint factory

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Beerhippie]

My Reed 404 1/2 had traces of red paint--which I doubt are original, as there's paint on the back of the slide--and who knows what has been done to it since 1911?



I chose to leave it bare with a light coat of BLO.

 

[Weissbier]

Believe it or not, you aren’t the first to ask this question. Here are some answers from over the years.

Search results for query: Reed paint factory

www.garagejournal.com

Thank you RTM.

 

[Codyboy]

Mine has traces of red. But then I think I have seen some blue on it too..

 

[Weissbier]

By golly, I just looked closer at the patent dates and there are tiny traces of red paint. This thing is no doubt original because my grandfather owned it from new. So the consensus seems to be that they were painted black with possible red parts/red lettering.

 

[Beerhippie]

I have no idea if that was the original color scheme, but it would be striking.

 

[KMScott]

I fancied black with red lettering. I’d be surprised if Reed painted their lettering. Seems black was the color back then. Here are a couple Reeds I restored then sold.

 

[Weissbier]

Calling all older Reed vise owners! Please chime in and let us know if you have any idea about what the original color of your vise was. Was it black? Was it red? Was it black with red lettering? Mine has these little bits of red around the patent dates, and in the following link the owner has bits of red in his patent dates. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/reed-vice-original-color.546029/

 

[harleyrider]

I don't know if this one is too new for your questions, but my 204 1/2 R (date coded 5/53) has what I believe is original grey paint. It does not appear to have been refinished based on the texture & wear patterns of the finish and the fact that the date codes are stamped through the finish to the base metal (i.e., the paint was not applied over existing stamped date codes).

HR

 

[M.Brane]

I believe my 204 from '32 was black, but given the level of patina it's hard to tell if that was original. I ain't screwin' with it.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

About how old is this Reed vise?

 

[RTM]

About how old is this Reed vise?

No later than mid 40s. The change from the meatball to hockey puck to hold the handle was somewhere around there.

REED R Series. Post your Reed date stamps.

1066!!! CB has a vise from the Conquest of England by William the Ba$%@rd

www.garagejournal.com

That thread might tell you how & where to look, but I doubt you’d see it under all that fresh paint.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

No later than mid 40s. The chase from the meatball to hockey puck to hold the handle was somewhere around there.

REED R Series. Post your Reed date stamps.

1066!!! CB has a vise from the Conquest of England by William the Ba$%@rd

www.garagejournal.com

That thread might tell you how & where to look, but I doubt you’d see it under all that fresh paint.

I'm guilty of the fresh paint. Last year. 🫣

 

[harleyrider]

My second Reed 204 1/2 R (dated 4/65) was completely over painted bright red paint. Everything including the machined surfaces and all the hardware was coated with it; so, obviously not original. However, beneath the bad red paint in spots was a neutral, light olive-mint green that appears to be the original paint. I think the green appears to fit the time period for this vise and if I do end up painting it (I have it stripped to bare metal now), I’ll try to match the green color.

HR