Help With Vintage Vise Identification

[Maui]

I have a bench vise that is very well built, with 4” wide jaws. It has an unusual swivel locking mechanism for the base, but it works flawlessly. You can see it in the attached photos. The meatball on the end of the lead screw is also an unusual shape. There are no markings anywhere that I have been able to find. I am scratching my head regarding who manufactured it. Does anyone recognize this vise? Any opinions about which company built it?

 

[rusty65]

My guess would be a rebranded prentiss of some sort the split ring swivel base and the shape of the main castings are what I’m basing my guess off of.


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[PacificaVette]

My guess would be a rebranded Prentiss of some sort the split ring swivel base and the shape of the main castings are what I’m basing my guess off of.


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Interesting---the wrench on the split ring swivel base is not an original Prentiss mechanism, although the rest of the base looks to be identical.

 

[davethorik]

Jaw pads look interesting as well...they look to just be rectangular in cross section. Prentiss normally used The C-shape pads.

 

[Maui]

The jaw pads are removable, and they sit flush against the static and dynamic jaw towers. There are no supports underneath them. they are held in place by two pins and two screws with surprisingly large diameter heads. I really don't recognize anything that strikes me as familiar on this vise at all. But is does resemble the vintage Prentiss vises in terms of the build geometry.

 

[gman007]

I agree with others that based on the split ring swivel base as well as the trade mark "eye brow" (the fin above the nose meatball) it looks like a Prentiss.

While the odd wrench might simply be due to someone replacing the original, the rectangular jaw inserts (as already mentioned) are curious. Additionally the nose (meatball) instead of simple and relatively small spherical ball, it is elongated and oval looking. Here is a photo of my Prentiss Bull Dog 524 for reference.

 

[Fierljeppen]

I'm going to stick with the Prentiss theory. The body and the swivel base look like the latest Prentiss Bulldog model, while the jaws and the main screw meatball look different.

When Union Mfg. acquired Parker, they kept the Parker and Prentiss Vise Divisions separate. They may have redesigned the jaws and used labels instead of casting the brand, as they did with later model Parkers.

I've attached a photo of a late model Union Mfg. Parker vise jaw, that has big diameter screws.

Is the weight of your "mystery vise" the same as a late mode "Bulldog"? Does anyone have a catalog scan of a late 1960's Prentiss Vise Division Bulldog?

 

[Maui]

I'll take a close-up of the jaw later on tonight so you can see how it compares to your photo Fierljeppen.

Maui

 

[Maui]

Attached is an photo of the jaw on this vise. It looks like it has two pins and two screws holding it in place. I’ve never seen a jaw attached like this before. I might restore this one anyway because it seems to be so unusual.

Maui

 

[Fierljeppen]

Attached is an photo of the jaw on this vise. It looks like it has two pins and two screws holding it in place. I’ve never seen a jaw attached like this before. I might restore this one anyway because it seems to be so unusual.

Maui

Unicorns are always interesting and perplexing for me. Thanks for sharing and please post a photo of it after you restore it.