Hollands vise no 115

[Tonyanton26]

I just picked up this vise at a flip house. I have a few big oldies similar to it but it has a single stud for the mount. I've never seen one like that. I tried looking up a few things but I couldn't find much on it. I was looking for some more info on it (maybe a rough age) (why it has a single stud for the mount) I had planned on cleaning it up and putting it to good use in the shop and would hate to beat on something cool and vintage thanks

 

[Shiftless]

That’s a great old vise but better underline the word “old”. Hollands started in 1887 and Hollands labeled vises were no longer being cast by the time WWII a started.

The single threaded hole mounting system indicates to me that your vise is around 100 years old. You are missing the swivel hardware, The plate that goes underneath the vise, the steel Rod threaded on each end, the cast iron plate (big washer) that is mounted under the bench top, and the big cast iron wing nut that tightens it all up. Loosen the wingnut to swivel the vise, turn the vise, and then tighten up the wing nut,

 

[Shiftless]

Here is a picture of the only vise in my collection that has that mounting system. It is a Prentiss Monarch. It is mounted on a shelf. Yes, I drilled a hole in the shelf.

 

[Tonyanton26]

Thanks for the response! Wow I figured it was old but didn't know it was that old. I think I'm gonna take it a bit easy on this one considering the age. I understand its just an early swivel design before the modern style and I actually do have all the hardware with it its just on the ladder for the picture. I'm not gonna sell it but if you had to guess, what do you think it's worth? Thanks

 

[Fierljeppen]

Very nice Hollands no. 115 combination vise! Hollands had a standard line of combination vises, your vise was their "Extra Heavy" version. My records show this model being offered from the (1890's-1910). Your vise castings look like the 1st version of this model.




I've seen a few model vises like this, however, your vise is the only one with the original pipe jaws, making it an extra special find! If you have the original Hough's improved swivel base hardware, you have an original and complete vise. The following photo shows what that hardware should look like.



Did you find this somewhere in the American Northeast?

 

[akasrick]

Thanks for the response! Wow I figured it was old but didn't know it was that old. I think I'm gonna take it a bit easy on this one considering the age. I understand its just an early swivel design before the modern style and I actually do have all the hardware with it its just on the ladder for the picture. I'm not gonna sell it but if you had to guess, what do you think it's worth? Thanks

Possibly for reference. The undermount vise that you own disappears in a 1930 ish catalog. Parts apparently still available for a combination vise. Note that the cast base washer is not as prominent as the cast bulkhead washers.

akasrick

 

[Tonyanton26]

Very nice Hollands no. 115 combination vise! Hollands had a standard line of combination vises, your vise was their "Extra Heavy" version. My records show this model being offered from the (1890's-1910). Your vise castings look like the 1st version of this model.




I've seen a few model vises like this, however, your vise is the only one with the original pipe jaws, making it an extra special find! If you have the original Hough's improved swivel base hardware, you have an original and complete vise. The following photo shows what that hardware should look like.



Did you find this somewhere in the American Northeast?

Very nice Hollands no. 115 combination vise! Hollands had a standard line of combination vises, your vise was their "Extra Heavy" version. My records show this model being offered from the (1890's-1910). Your vise castings look like the 1st version of this model.




I've seen a few model vises like this, however, your vise is the only one with the original pipe jaws, making it an extra special find! If you have the original Hough's improved swivel base hardware, you have an original and complete vise. The following photo shows what that hardware should look like.



Did you find this somewhere in the American Northeast?

Wow thats pretty cool that it was one of the earlier models they made and that it's complete with the hardware and pipe jaws. I'm happy I snagged it before someone else could. How rare is it to find a complete vise like this? Also is there any value to it? I only ask because I planned on using it in the shop and don't want to wrench on it if it has any significant value. Yes I did I got it in Bristol Connecticut. Thanks for your info I appreciate it!

 

[Tonyanton26]

 

[Shiftless]

T:
In my opinion, that vise, still with some original paint and complete is a rare and valuable piece that some collector would pay more than a few hundred dollars for. I wouldn’t make it a user.
If you are not a vise collector, (I am) you should consider selling it on the GJ classifieds or on eBay. You could buy a vintage made in USA vise and make it your user or just get a new Yost or Doyle, put a couple hundred bucks in your pocket, and move on with your other projects that need a good vise to complete.

 

[Fierljeppen]

@Tonyanton26...With respect to the value of the vise, the historical value is invaluable. It's the only 1890's complete Hollands no. 115 vise in original condition that I'm aware of. It deserves to be in a museum or at least a tool collectors collection.

While Hollands Mfg. Co. vises were sold into the 1960's, your vise is from the era of the original founders.

"Caleb Hollands", President and a native of Sussex County, England.
"Edwin S. Rockefellar", Vice President and General Manager, born in Mechanicsburg, PA,
"William McWhorter", Secretary and born in Cincinnatus, Cortland County, New York and is of Scotch and English ancestry.
"Robert B. Hough". Superintendent and born in Brockville, Ontario, Canada.

These gentlemen all had previous experience with each other by means of their previous employer, the "Seldon & Griswold Mfg. Co., famous makers of quality cast iron products.

The following illustration shows an early Hollands Mfg. Co. plant. Notice that there are no cars or trucks, just horse & carriage and trains.



The next illustration shows all of their original vises, including your vise.




While I'm sure you're interested in the monetary value of the vise, I think you'd get your best value in a trade with a local tool collector. With that said, I really hope you consider just keeping it and appreciate it for what it represents historically as an early American Tool.

 

[Dlavallee22]

Well this is a very interesting thread I stumbled upon! I was trying to find more info about why the Hollands 113 combination vise was listed as “Hough’s Combination vise.” I can’t add the picture of the catalog page referring to the vise as “Hough’s” for some reason. But I managed to find a beautiful COMPLETE Hollands 113 a few months ago. I also found this vise in CT. I had never seen another of these that was actually still complete and intact with no damages. Mine also has the remnants of the original red paint in the impression on the sides of the slide. The reversible pipe jaws which I think are only on the 113 based on the ad above are awesome!

@Fierljeppen

 

[Dlavallee22]

I got it to work this morning! Here is the ad I was referring to where it calls it “Hough’s Extra Heavy Combination”.