monarch 218

[mightymike]

I have a monarch vise 218 which belong to my grandfather. My early memories as a small boy was playing in his machine shop playing with this vise (I'm 68)
I'm very interested in knowing the age and or the year and any other information of this vise.

 

[jrobb316]

I have a monarch vise 218 which belong to my grandfather. My early memories as a small boy was playing in his machine shop playing with this vise (I'm 68)
I'm very interested in knowing the age and or the year and any other information of this vise.

Most likely 1900-1930 range. Monarch was a lower end line (lighter in weight) made by Prentiss Vise Company, the higher end was the Prentiss Bulldog. They are unique and fairly sought after vises. Your picture is hard to see the details, but it appears as if the ledge that supports the slide off the front of the stationary body may be missing (broken off). If so it would be not worth much on the market but still a nice garage heirloom.

 

[ZRX61]

My 218 has a swivel base, it doesn't have a ledge.

 

[ZRX61]

I notice that mine says 215-218 & yours says 217-218

 

[Fierljeppen]

My 218 has a swivel base, it doesn't have a ledge.

"Ledge, shelf, support" all the same. Your vise has one, while MightyMike's vise is missing.

The Lion's head was a great marketing idea.

 

[ZRX61]

ah, I was thinking of the doohickey that screws to the front of the bench

 

[mightymike]

it's priceless to me. so many boyhood memory with my pop-pop. thanks to all you guys for the great info..TY