Bought a 2 digit Rock Island vise

[Jonny Rotten]

Hello all. New member.
You guys seem to be the authorities on this vise. I read every post about the vise last night before I bought it today. It seems to be in near perfect condition. The jaws line up perfect and it operates with one finger.The guy said it was his wifes grandfathers. Trying to figure out the date it was made. I see no markings on the shaft as some have mentioned. The 292 is on the bottom of the swivel. 1929? Could the 824 be 8th month of 24? Seems like a large number to put in a visable place for a date? Its a 2 digit number. #74 so my research tells me its old compared to a 3 digit #574 and pre 1930. There are no screws in the jaw face, which I've read dates it as old as well. The sleeve comes off which I read helps in dating it.Spent a $100 which is fine because I was just looking for a vise to use anyway but think maybe I scored...any ideas or comments are welcome..thank you

 

[Unruh]

That is a good looking vise. Crazy that after that long in the family, someone would be willing to sell it. Great score and good job on the price.

 

[Jonny Rotten]

184 views with one comment and not a single hello...

Perhaps I should introduce myself:

I'm a contractor Pushin 50. Eyes are goin hearings worse. Avid DIY'er.I have my Dads 59 Triumph TR3A in the garage that needs a full restoration that I hope to get to someday. I know just enough auto mechanics to kill somebody. Seems like a great forum.

Now that the How Do ya doos are out of the way....Perhaps I put this in the wrong forum? Maybe in one of the vise forums would get me more action

 

[Fierljeppen]

Hello all. New member. I read every post about the vise last night before I bought it today. Trying to figure out the date it was made...any ideas or comments are welcome..thank you

"Jonny Rotten" reminds me of an old Neil Young song that got a lot of play-time with me, a long time ago.

Anyway...I'm not a Rock Island expert, but I've attached several catalog pages for you. Without a known date stamp, I'd say the jaws are going to be a focal point for how old it is. It looks really old to me, possibly pre-1920.

Welcome and definitely hit the main vise threads for more responses about any vise questions.

 

[Jonny Rotten]

Aside from screws or no screws in the jaws how would the jaws date it? What should I be looking for?

 

[FJ 432]

Just that jaws that are cast (versus ones that have screwed into insert jaws) denotes a older vise for some manufacturers.

You are on the right forum. Some other vise experts will chime in....and welcome.

 

[Maui]

Based on the fact that the end of the main screw is a round ball and there is no Birtman Electric Co. tag on your vise, then it is pre-1933. Some history on Rock Island vises can be found here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124285&highlight=rock+island+vise

http://toolarchives.com/node/143

Maui