Looking for ID on Anvil-Vise

[john sayles]

Hi All,

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I'm a hand-tool only wood-worker by choice, and always on the look-out for old tools. The object in question was part of a lot of tools I bought.
I've spent hours online (and in old catalogs) but can't find a manufacturer for this guy.
Any help appreciated greatly.

 

[kwoswalt99]

Can't see your pics.

 

[john sayles]

Any better? (I switched to attachments)

 

[olysteve]

That's cool. The vice isn't a very big one but it's interesting none the less

Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk

 

[kwoswalt99]

I believe it was manufactured by Rock Island.

 

[john sayles]

Thanks kwoswalt99

The problem is, all images I can find for Rock Island have completely different mounting lugs and all have a rib cast into the side (unlike mine)

typical Rock Island I have encountered:

 

[fl18guy]

That looks like a parker , only things that appears to be maybe different is no pat date

 

[john sayles]

A Parker? -- I like the sound of that.

 

[john sayles]

fl18guy

I think you nailed it -- after your post, I did some digging, and I think that I have a pre-patent Parker. Have a look at this pic from MJ Donnelly auctions, where the lettering (and even the way "Patented" is abbreviated) match mine.

Thanks to all for your help. Much appreciated.

 

[drivesitfar]

JS: if that's a PRE PATENTED Parker vise it's probably from the 1850's early 1860's and you know what happened in those years don't you?

just know that those Anvils were not really a very stout ANVIL or A VISE, but they sure look cool on a bench or shelf.

if you don't own it and it's price is affordable it looks like something you should own.

good luck

 

[Bighead38]

I want one.

 

[john sayles]

Thanks drivesitfar

Yes, I do know my history, and I believe I'll take your advice and make it a shelf-sitter.
I sort of gathered that these were for DIYers and hardly the equivalent of a real anvil.
Now I'm re-thinking my original plan of de-rusting and painting.

 

[Roberts210]

What a great piece of history to own. Think of what might have been done on that anvil or held in that vise.

 

[Tonellin]

That is an incredible piece of history - glad you snagged it!

 

[bluebolt]

Nice find! Here's the patent.
http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=196380&id=13518&set=6

What's the dimensions and weight on that vise? A Parker No. 3 on Ebay was

"4-1/2" TALL , ANVIL IS 8-7/8" LONG 2-3/4" WIDE , WITH THE VISE ITS 12-1/4" LONG. JAW OPENS 2"
WEIGHS 13LB. 12oz"

 

[drivesitfar]

BB: thanks for that patent information

JS: so it's a bit newer than i thought cause i forgot Parker has had several patents unlike a few other vise companies that only had one or just bought another existing company. still a pretty cool vise and if it's over 140 years old still pretty special especially since it doesn't look like it's been beat on or broken like so many of these were and are.