Columbian Vises

[vwthingman]

I just purchased a Columbian D44 vise. I have a couple of questions. Were Columbian Vises only originally red or other colors? There is a cone shape on the one side with a hole. What is that used for? Any help is appreciated

 

[larry4406]

My Columbian D4 was red when I stripped it down. Found a close match with Rust-oleum.

Sorry no help on your hole question.

 

[RTM]

There is a cone shape on the one side with a hol

Could it be a hardy hole, up on top? Located where if you put a fitting in there, you could whack it?

Weird Vice...

SO I saved this little Columbian the other day and it's a typical 43 1/2 model, except for this part, that I can't seem to find a pic of anywhere... Any thoughts as to what it's for?

www.garagejournal.com

 

[vwthingman]

Could it be a hardy hole, up on top? Located where if you put a fitting in there, you could whack it?

Weird Vice...

SO I saved this little Columbian the other day and it's a typical 43 1/2 model, except for this part, that I can't seem to find a pic of anywhere... Any thoughts as to what it's for?

www.garagejournal.com

Thanks. That's the exact model of vise with the same hole. I understand that they had 2 models with the same name but only one had the "hardie hole" in it

 

[genog]

I just purchased a Columbian D44 vise. I have a couple of questions. Were Columbian Vises only originally red or other colors?

My 505 1/2 came in red

 

[GCS]

Mine is gray…

 

[1982fxr]

I think early D44's were red and later models were like a marbled gray.

 

[TheRealZeus]

I think you’re referencing the static body design of what it is called a “square shank cut off tool,” …the hole for said insert.
Columbian no. 44 advertisements for reference.
Here is one advertisement for the side cone form, I suspect you are referring to.

highlighted
“Hardware Age Sept. 27, 1934)”

Characteristic difference from the more-frequently seen, centerline, at back of anvil. example:

Hardware Age (July 25, 1940)

 

[TheRealZeus]

Here is one of what I believe you describing..
pic reference eBay listing.