Help I’d this Columbian Cleveland 4”vice

[mustang91]

I have had this Vice for several years and tried to do some research to find out why it has the type of base that is does. Nothing ever comes up that matches the one I have.

 

[1982fxr]

Custom base?

 

[fullthrottle24]

First, that is a early Columbian vise. I cannot find any info on the site or internet regarding No-84.

With that being said, I assume that someone made the base to avoid having to notch the workbench to properly mount a stationary vise of that era.

It appears to be a large piece of brass that was machined to fit the shape of the vise and thick enough to allow the dynamic jaw to move without interfering with the workbench.

Was the vise mounted to the bench when you obtained it? Most move the vise close to the edge to allow large pieces to clear the front edge of the bench.

 

[RTM]

I agree w full throttle

 

[Fierljeppen]

You have a really rare Columbian no. 34 machinist vise, with a custom base as mentioned before. The "Patent Applied" casting would indicate that your vise is from the era of (1917-1919), give or take. The patent was applied for on Oct. 11, 1917 and granted on Sep. 2, 1919.

Here's some photos of another Columbian no. 34 vise to compare with your vise.



Nice find! I like the custom base.

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Edit: I found an early (1914) magazine ad showing your Columbian vise, "Patent Applied For" with the hollowed casting. This obviously precedes the official applied for date on the patent.



With the style of the meatball on the screw spindle and rare model #, I'd say your vise is the very earliest of the Columbian "Patent Applied For", hollowed casted malleable vises.

 

[mustang91]

I know it has been quite a while for this reply but life gets in the way sometimes. I would like to thank you for your research and information on my vice.