Older Ridgid 50PN vise

[HerbertHoover]

Hello. I am trying to ID this Ridgid 50PN, which i believe is termed a "machinist" vise.
Only numbers I can make out on sliding jaw are "1785". There's a character before the 1785, but I can't tell what it was/is. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I probably have to make my own nut.

 

[twagler]

Your Ridgid vise looks like it is from the time period when they were manufactured by Columbian for Ridgid. I'd suggest reading through this thread for some more information:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/ridgid-bench-vise.470283/

This catalog page (see below) from that thread lists model numbers similar to your 50PN, I'm guessing the slight difference is just designating swivel base version instead of your fixed base model.

Good luck with fixing the nut on yours - I'm doubtful that spare parts for these vises are stocked anywhere.

 

[RTM]

But I doubt Ridgid made that, just a rebrand as noted above of a Columbian. Your 50PN might be a 50FN with a poorly placed scratch. I would take your specs, size, weight etc, see if a Columbian looked similar, then see if you can find parts for that.