Help Identify This Tiny Antique Vise

[DadsTools]

Very small vise, about 5.5" tall, 1-1/2" jaws, appears to be cast iron. Has V60 forged in on one side, on the other stamped PAT PEND. The PAT PEND is old serif style and each letter looks to be individually hand stamped, which gives it a very old look. the handle rods are a one-piece casting, and one of the rods is broke off. Any ideas who made it or how old?

 

[Bob P1]

No idea, but neat old vice. Looks 1930ish to me.

 

[DadsTools]

No idea, but neat old vice. Looks 1930ish to me.

Well, at least I got one comment. Thanks.

I was beginning to suspect that if it didn't weigh at least 50 lbs, didn't have a W at the beginning of the name, or didn't have some sort of a bullet shape on it, it doesn't even merit the physical effort of pressing a few keyboard keys.

All that aside, it apparently is difficult to ID, so unremarkable that there's little knowledge about it, or maybe too small to really fit into a 'garage' forum. Can't blame a fellow for trying, though.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Does the handle look like one side is broke, or just a rough casting on that side?

I looked through all my catalog pics with nothing that looked like that...

There's a thread somewhere with catalog pics, you can also search ebay and usually the images are good enough quality to glance through too...

 

[DadsTools]

Does the handle look like one side is broke, or just a rough casting on that side?

I looked through all my catalog pics with nothing that looked like that...

There's a thread somewhere with catalog pics, you can also search ebay and usually the images are good enough quality to glance through too...

Thanks for your effort. I really appreciate it.

You are correct--one of the handle rods is broken off. It's a single piece casting there.

I did look online. I was able to find a couple of other examples, but no information whatsoever other than "This is a V60 vise with 1-1/2" jaws." Very profound and informative.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Did you post it in the Vises thread? Not to cast doubts on EOC Jason's knowledge, but you'd cast a wider net there. A lot of those guys don't bother even looking at other thread titles down here on the Vintage board.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yeah, I'm no specialist on the tiny ones...

Post in this thread, this is where everyone looks: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782

 

[DadsTools]

Okay, guys, I posted it the the "Vises of Garage Journal" thread. Let's see if anyone there knows who made it.

 

[Fierljeppen]

It looks very similar to a Luther Milwaukee vise. They used "V" in most of their early models as well. Quality small vise, none the less.

 

[BFBOB]

I didn't jump in because I had nothing to add.
But I do like the small vises; I have several of the Colton patent types in 1" to 2 1/2" sizes, and one really tiny vise that's so smooth it looks machined. No, you're not the only one here who likes the shirt-pocket/vest pocket sizes!
but I still don't know anything about yours.

 

[DadsTools]

Did you post it in the Vises thread? Not to cast doubts on EOC Jason's knowledge, but you'd cast a wider net there. A lot of those guys don't bother even looking at other thread titles down here on the Vintage board.

You were right, Lugz. GETRIDAONE nailed it! It's a Luther Grinder Mfg. Co. uncatalogued V60. He found the patent number on it of 1271009 applied for in 1916 and issued 1918 and assigned to Luther Grinder. Also found a period newspaper ad circa 1917 depicting the vise. What's cool about this vise is that the rear jaw is moveable, not the front like in most.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What's cool about this vise is that the rear jaw is moveable, not the front like in most.

Very unusual. Glad you were able to get it ID'd.

For years I was pronouncing that guy's username in my head in Italian. You know, like Jet-tree-dough-knee. It finally dawned on old dense over-sophisticated me that it was Get rid 'a one.

 

[DadsTools]

Very unusual. Glad you were able to get it ID'd.

For years I was pronouncing that guy's username in my head in Italian. You know, like Jet-tree-dough-knee. It finally dawned on old dense over-sophisticated me that it was Get rid 'a one.

There's nothing wrong with having a deeply probing mind. Yeah, sometimes you can miss the simple stuff. But God made all kinds of things to fill every niche. They say Einstein had trouble matching his socks. I'd be happy with that kind of trade-off!

 

[bczygan]

Jewelry vise?

 

[DadsTools]

Jewelry vise?

It could probably be used for that. Or a hobbyist's vise.

 

[454ragtop]

Your vise reminded me of a small unidentified vise I have with the same type of handle. The jaws on mine are 1-3/8" wide, just went out to look at it thinking it may be a Luther as well, but it is made different, and has no markings whatsoever that I can find.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

This is a tiny vise I found in a box of random tools. No brand, just made in usa

 

[DadsTools]

Your vise reminded me of a small unidentified vise I have with the same type of handle. The jaws on mine are 1-3/8" wide, just went out to look at it thinking it may be a Luther as well, but it is made different, and has no markings whatsoever that I can find.

It does seem to have similarities to a Luther, although in the OP vise it's the rear jaw that moves. But yours having that hinged jaw is fascinating in its own right. I'd post it in the vise thread too like I did to get the answer. Those guys seem to really know their stuff, and are willing to dive in where there's a vise mystery to solve!

 

[DadsTools]

This is a tiny vise I found in a box of random tools. No brand, just made in usa

Looks to me like a hand-held vise. You know, I could use one of them!

I'd post that in the Vise thread too. I bet they'd like to see it.