Got my “new” Vise mounted on my Workbench

[gohunt]

I bought this Reed 204 1/2R at an antique store in Pigeon Forge back in January. Took it apart and cleaned it up good... didn’t want it painted. Yesterday I got it mounted and ready for use. Looks like it was originally black.
Any way to tell when this vise was manufactured?

 

[Maui]

Your vise doesn’t have the flat nose on the meatball, so it is an older version. How old I don’t know.

 

[vwpieces]

The black might be Japanning

 

[RTM]

If you look up the patent number, it should, in theory, be made within 17 years of that date.

DATAMP.org

 

[gohunt]

Good info! So, based on this, 1938-1955

 

[LNKMK8]

There should be two date codes on that vise.. on one the side of the opposable jaw and one on the body of the static jaw. Most I have seen are M YY. Here is an example of an April 1919 date and July 1957 date from a couple of my Reeds:

 

[gohunt]

Thanks! I’ll check it out this eve and report back

 

[gohunt]

Ok, mine has “643” so June of 1943…a wartime vise! About 79 years old!

 

[LNKMK8]

Nice, your appears to be a transition period vise as it has the original style meatball but the R designation in the model number. Your date fits that time period.

 

[55chevy]

My Reed 104 1/2 R has one visible number on the static jaw 11 45. Pat. no. is 2127008. So, would that be November, 1945?

 

[LNKMK8]

My Reed 104 1/2 R has one visible number on the static jaw 11 45. Pat. no. is 2127008. So, would that be November, 1945?

Yes that should be the date.

 

[gohunt]

Mine was stamped on both jaws….I can’t believe I didn’t see this until now.