Prentiss Vise Date Codes?

[LNKMK8]

Wondering if anyone has ever come across any date codes for Prentiss vises? I picked up a No. 52 Bull Dog at an estate sale yesterday. When I pulled it apart, I found "027" stamped in the bottom of the opposable jaw. Part number maybe, or date code? No clue, but its a pretty cool vise either way.

Functions great, moves smoothly. I was able to get 3 out of the 4 screws loose for the jaw inserts. I'll have to patiently work with that last one. Paid $20

 

[PacificaVette]

Wow---I just picked up a later-model Prentiss 52 at a garage sale, but I paid $40. Good deal! I don't see anything like a date stamp on either of my two Prentiss vises, but mine are both newer than yours. I guess that stamping went away.

 

[G-ManBart]

Generally speaking, the numbers you found are assembly numbers to keep the parts together as they went through production.

I'm probably missing some, but I can only remember Wilton and Rock Island that regularly put date codes on their vises.

 

[thehorse13]

No date codes on that Bull Dog #52. The 1920s is when it was made.

Twenty bucks for a Prentiss of that era is, "you ****" pricing. Congrats on the pick up.

Here is what they look like when brought back to life. Maybe it will inspire you when restoring yours.

 

[LNKMK8]

Beautiful! It will have to sit in the corner for now and wait until I can find some time. I may keep it in its original patina and just use it. We shall see. Thanks for the date info!

 

[damnesia]

No date codes on that Bull Dog #52. The 1920s is when it was made.

Twenty bucks for a Prentiss of that era is, "you ****" pricing. Congrats on the pick up.

Here is what they look like when brought back to life. Maybe it will inspire you when restoring yours.

Those vises are awesome. I love them but very rarely see them for sale.

 

[thehorse13]

It's a regional thing. I see Prentiss vises all the time in the mid Atlantic area. I suppose that you guys feel like I do whenever I see Pacific coast folks turning up Plomb tool mobiles every other week.

 

[Poseidon89]

I picked up a Prentiss 51- 91 today from FB marketplace.

I see this thread from years ago, but not much progress since then on identifying the dates on these vises. After some clean up and polishing, I found two patent date marks on either side of the jaws.

If you look in the attached pics you can clearly make out the "June 191 " but the last digit is mostly missing. So we know its in the teens at least, I think it says 1917, but not quite sure.

I know that's just the patent date, not the date of manufacture. But it helps give some context, and maybe is one more piece to the puzzle.

 

[thehorse13]

I picked up a Prentiss 51- 91 today from FB marketplace.

I see this thread from years ago, but not much progress since then on identifying the dates on these vises. After some clean up and polishing, I found two patent date marks on either side of the jaws.

If you look in the attached pics you can clearly make out the "June 191 " but the last digit is mostly missing. So we know its in the teens at least, I think it says 1917, but not quite sure.

I know that's just the patent date, not the date of manufacture. But it helps give some context, and maybe is one more piece to the puzzle.

The little 91 is my favorite go-to vise out in the garage. There is no mystery on dating this version of the vise though. They are from the 1920s.