Help Identify & Value This Charles Parker Vise

[cgharrington]

Looking for opinions from the Charles Parker experts.


I recently picked up this The Chas. Parker Co., Meriden, U.S.A. swivel-base machinist vise and would appreciate any information you can share.


Specs

• Maker: The Chas. Parker Co.
• Markings:
  • “THE CHAS. PARKER CO. MERIDEN U.S.A.”
  • “3S ON”
  • “2900”
  • “1907” (cast into the body)
• Weight: 45.8 lbs
• Jaw width: approximately 3 inches
• Overall length: approximately 16 inches
• Swivel base
• Built-in pipe jaws
• Original ball-end handle
• Original riveted jaw inserts (no screws)
• No cracks or weld repairs that I can find.

Questions for the experts

1. Can anyone identify the exact Parker model and approximate year of manufacture?
2. What do the casting numbers 1907, 2900, and 3S ON represent?
3. Are the jaw inserts factory-riveted, or were they originally removable another way?
4. What is a realistic market value:
   • As found?
   • Cleaned and serviced?
   • Professionally restored?
5. If this were yours, would you restore it or preserve the original patina?
6. If restoring, what finish would be historically correct?
   • Black japanning?
   • Black enamel?
   • Another finish?
7. Any original catalogs, advertisements, or documentation showing this exact vise would be greatly appreciated.

I’d also appreciate any history on Charles Parker vises in general. I’m trying to decide whether this one deserves a careful preservation, a full restoration, or simply a thorough cleaning and lubrication.


Thanks in advance—I look forward to learning from the experts.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Can anyone identify the exact Parker model and approximate year of manufacture?

??

The model number ("No. 87") and patent dates ("JAN 2, 1906" and NOV 22, 1910") are cast into the body.

Not sure how long Parker was known to keep utility patent dates (17-year duration) on their vises in this period, but anywhere from 1910 through the 'Teens and perhaps into the 20s is likely. Someone on the main 'Vises' thread - that's where all the Vise guys hang out - will likely know better. You can find it in the A-Z Index of threads in the Stickie at the top of this forum. (I'm not being a butthead. I have found that posting links for newcomers just trains them into expecting others to post links for them instead of them getting the lay of the land around here for themselves. )

Any original catalogs, advertisements, or documentation showing this exact vise would be greatly appreciated.

There are several Charles Parker catalogs on Internet Archive International Tool Catalog Library. There's a beautiful rendering of your No. 87 Combination Pipe Vise on page 49 in the 1912 catalog. (I'm not being a butthead. I have found that posting excerpts for newcomers just trains them into expecting others to post excerpts and info for them instead of them learning to go to IA/ITCL to find it for themselves. )

 

[akasrick]

Are the jaw inserts factory-riveted, or were they originally removable another way?

Parker pinned their jaws through. Looks to be a complete vise. Nice find.

akasrick

 

[akasrick]

Parker pinned their jaws through. Looks to be a complete vise. Nice find.

akasrick

You might miss this industrial catalog they were selling the jaws and the pins together, from the parts list and have the vise listed in the 400 series.




akasrick