Bell System Vise?

[Provincial]

I found this vise at an estate sale this month. It had belonged to the deceased's grandfather, so it is at least 100 years old. It is an Oswego, identified by the circle T trademark, and is a Smith's Patent.

It is missing the pipe jaws, the base plate, and the original mounting stud/wing nut.

The interesting thing is that it has a bell emblem cast into the stationary jaw frame. The emblem is very much like the Bell System logo. I can find no markings other than the standard Oswego Circle T, No. 3 Comb. cast-in markings.

Anyone know more?

 

[Provincial]

Anyone have any ideas about the logo?

 

[shawhite]

Usually bell system tools are clearly marked bell systems and the bell systems empl is a bell inside a circle.

 

[wrenchguy]

i don't think its a logo, but a foundrymans block out. its blocking out what normally was cast there, maybe sold to another reseller. still very unique.

 

[a52-830]

the bell system logo it looks like to me didnt come out until 1969.

sorry, dont think that is what it is.

 

[Infinia]

the GJ consensus is "dude you aint got a bell"

 

[southalabama]

Bell System logo of a Bell was around a 100 years. It took may forms. The final version came out in 1969 eventually being replaced by the world striped logo.

Dad retired from AT&T and has a shop full of bell tools.

That isn't a bell IMHO. It's like looking at a cloud. It kinda looks like a bell.

Most tools also marked Bell System or Bell System D.

 

[nine4gmc]

Check with JeffMoss!!

 

[Richard Cranium]

My thoughts also, Where is Jeff Moss?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Doesn't look like Bell System to me.

 

[kctyphoon]

I've never seen one like that on any of the old stuff I've seen laying around.. never seen a bell vise for that matter either.