Can Anyone ID or Date This Parker Vise?

[Doc995]

I picked up this vise today at a tag sale for 50.00. The owner coated it with cosmoline and it really looks mint. It's a good, heavy vise - I'd like to ID the date built (approx) and is it normal to have smooth jaws? TIA!

 

[Fierljeppen]

Alright Bubbles...The Charles Parker X-Series vises were first introduced in 1899 and replaced an existing line of parallel vises with a few improvements, including the swivel base. Around 1920, Parker changed the X-Series model numbers, so your Charles Parker no.22X vise is from somewhere between (1899-1920).

Did you know you're missing the spindle collar? I don't have any information about the jaws.

 

[j.t.d.]

There appears to be no hole for the spindle collar attachment!?

 

[thehorse13]

It's normal for Parker vises to have smooth jaws. I have the same ones on mine. Great pick up.

 

[Doc995]

There is indeed no hole for the collar. No filler, etc and the paint *looks* to be original. I have NO clue as to what's going on regarding that....

 

[Fierljeppen]

There is indeed no hole for the collar. No filler, etc and the paint *looks* to be original. I have NO clue as to what's going on regarding that....

Is there another screw retainer system that is being used or does the spindle back out when opening the vise?

 

[Doc995]

No, the spindle stays put when the vise is opened fully. I'm not sure what is holding it in place, but when the vise is opened, and you pull on the handle, there is a *slight* spring action so there IS something retaining this. FWIW, the guy I bought it from claims he's had it in the box since around 1966. But that's all I have to go on....

 

[macgee]

As mentioned earlier, it's a model 22x vise by Chas Parker. Hate to say it but as Fierljeppen mentioned you are indeed missing the spindle retainer. There is no Chas Parker Vise from that era were made without a spindle retainer. There's quite a few pic of 22x's vises online, all have the retainer.

If you are indeed correct about no thread hole or filler, then your vise may have squeaked by QC inspection and into a outgoing box on late Friday just before the shift ended without being checked. But it would not be hard to remedy that issue, just find the right spindle retainer and drill and tap a hole for the bolt to hold it.

One way to check if you have a missing spindle retainer issue is to clamp/rope the two jaws together without interfering with the spindle or handle and turn handle counter clockwise and see what happens (but not turn with too force though). I'm guessing the spindle will screw itself out some.

Link to some 22x's on GJ:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114283

 

[Doc995]

I'll try that..thanks and I'll post what happens here!

 

[KMScott]

Pretty sure your vise is spring loaded. if so no collar is needed. I have seen a few with a spring. It's been a while since I worked on one, the spring is pretty coarse and backed up by the nut. The spring was about the same length as the threaded spindle when relaxed. Nice vise.

Fierljeppen that 22x you shown has one of my collars I was making years ago. Enjoyed seeing that pic. I was making collars and eventually got overwhelmed since their was as many different collar sizes as Parker vises.

 

[macgee]

Doc995,

Listen to KMScott

He knows way more about this than I and his work in professional vise restoration is legendary. He's probably had more vises cross his path than most GJ members put together.

I would be eager to know if yours has the rare spring