Old Vise - What Is It?

[kentenn]

I picked this old vise up but am not familiar with the manufacturer or the style. Anyone know anything about it?

 

[drivesitfar]

Ken: I can't tell you who made it, but part of the name and location of that company is in the cast on the dynamic slide. if you have the vise handy can you take a post a few more pictures and tell us what you think it says? it says Debuque in the part showing that I can read.

one thing about those old anvil vise combo vises you need to know is that they were never made well enough to be a good anvil or a good vise and most are broken. if yours is working it might be something other than another vise to put up on a shelf, but that might be the best place for it.

i'm guessing late 1800's that it was made and maybe mid 1800's.

good luck

 

[kentenn]

DrivesIt: It's in the beloved storage unit. I'm headed to a client and will stop on the way back and pick up the vise. I think it says "Adams Co" but there may be something preceding "Adams".

The handle looks different from the other Diamonds I've seen. The screw appears to have been re-made - I wonder if the cast handle was original or just paired up when the screw was made?

 

[notlob]

Adams company in Dubuque IA is still in business. Here's some pics:

http://acityatwork.com/2012/09/17/adams-company/


Here's one that sold on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Adams-Diamond-Vise-Antique-Vice-Dubuque-Iowa-/201383909294?nma=true&si=pG6VUcArQ%252B0C4L9k2SEIUHzQ%252FI0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[notlob]

And here's the patent by Fay O. Farwell of Dubuque:

https://www.google.com/patents/US532654

 

[drivesitfar]

LOB: thanks for the picture and the great information.

Ken: Like I've said I've seen many versions of your vise and I don't see any cracks or breaks like most of them have. it looks like you might have to replace the handle if you want it to look more original and a couple of our members make them if you don't have the skills, time or the machines to make a new one.

 

[kentenn]

DrivesIt: Any idea as to what it would cost for a correct handle? Is it even worth it? It's a cool old vise but I hate to put more into it than it's worth..

 

[CNGsaves]

I'd leave that vise . . . . . AS IS . . . . which will hold it's maximum value.

See if anyone's "bone pile" has an old rusty handle that would work.

 

[kentenn]

Here are a few shots of the existing handle assembly. In the second pic, I removed the brass roller for better visibility.