Unusual Charles Parker Vises

[Maui]

I have a couple of Charles Parker vises that seem unusual to me, and if anybody here can shed some light on the time frame in which they may have been built it would be helpful.

The first one is the number A vise. I know that Parker had this weird system early on where the number designation was actually a letter. Can anyone tell me when this number A vise could have been manufactured? The second vise does not look at all like a standard Parker vise. It’s a number 705 1/2. It looks more like a Trojan vise, but doesn’t say Trojan on it anywhere. Does anyone else have one like this? I can’t even seem to find a mention of this particular vise anywhere on the internet.

 

[akasrick]

I have a couple of Charles Parker vises that seem unusual to me, and if anybody here can shed some light on the time frame in which they may have been built it would be helpful.

The first one is the number A vise. I know that Parker had this weird system early on where the number designation was actually a letter. Can anyone tell me when this number A vise could have been manufactured? The second vise does not look at all like a standard Parker vise. It’s a number 705 1/2. It looks more like a Trojan vise, but doesn’t say Trojan on it anywhere. Does anyone else have one like this? I can’t even seem to find a mention of this particular vise anywhere on the internet.

These both show in a 1912 Catalogue, thanks Twertsy.

705 1/2 isn't mentioned.

akasrick

 

[Maui]

Thanks for the info. But like the other photos of vises I’ve seen the vise in the ad says Trojan on it. Mine doesn’t. It just has 705 1/2 on one side and Parker on the other. And I haven’t seen another like it anywhere.

 

[akasrick]

Thanks for the info. But like the other photos of vises I’ve seen the vise in the ad says Trojan on it. Mine doesn’t. It just has 705 1/2 on one side and Parker on the other. And I haven’t seen another like it anywhere.

Maybe when the stopped using the meatball screw?
Which would probably be a Union and a non confusing jaw width?
I don't know

akasrick

 

[Fierljeppen]

For the age of the no.A, I found ads of the Parker Vulcan Line of vises from (1900-1917).

As far as the 2nd vise, it's all Trojan down to the unique meatball. The model no.705-1/2, not so much. I found -4- catalog ads and -2- pricelist, none with the no.705-1/2?

What is the jaw width and weight of the Trojan?

 

[DFB]

For the age of the no.A, I found ads of the Parker Vulcan Line of vises from (1900-1917).

As far as the 2nd vise, it's all Trojan down to the unique meatball. The model no.705-1/2, not so much. I found -4- catalog ads and -2- pricelist, none with the no.705-1/2?

What is the jaw width and weight of the Trojan?

WOW!

 

[yardiron]

I worked at a shop years ago that had a Parker vise like that mounted on a heavy steel pole out behind the shop. The owner said it was there when his dad bought the building in the 50's. It lived outdoors full time, got used mostly for pounding U joints in and out of trucks. I don't remember what model it was but the pics made me remember that old vise. Thinking back, I probably should have taken that vise with me when that shop closed. The place is long gone these days. Thinking back, I'm not even sure the vise wasn't even welded or riveted to the plate atop of that post. It got used enough times to hold things being painted that it had a thick protective coat of paint built up on it so it never rusted. I remember there being a 4ft pipe right by it guys would use to tighten it down with. Somehow it survived decades of abuse. Until I read this year I don't think I really realized how old that vise could have been.

 

[akasrick]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maui
Thanks for the info. But like the other photos of vises I’ve seen the vise in the ad says Trojan on it. Mine doesn’t. It just has 705 1/2 on one side and Parker on the other. And I haven’t seen another like it anywhere.

Maybe when the stopped using the meatball screw?
Which would probably be a Union and a non confusing jaw width?
I don't know

akasrick

Too be fair to that 1912 catalogue.
Parker states that they are introducing the Eclipse series
and announcing the 'solid steel bar welded into the casting' of
some of their vises. Possibly Parker compared that to they're medium priced vise, Trojan, which doesn't, so not to confuse the difference they added "Trojan" on the vise in the catalogue picture. The only named cast(?) vise in the catalogue is Trojan, which wouldn't
be an "artist rendition'" but something probably purposely dictated by Parker.
To order parts needed was # of part, name of part and number of vise so I guess parts were made.

My post should read non meatball as it's certainly odd shaped, and I'm guessing it has 4 1/2" jaws.

Hopefully another 700 series vise will turn up. I haven't really checked the spread sheet.

akasrick

 

[Maui]

For the age of the no.A, I found ads of the Parker Vulcan Line of vises from (1900-1917).

As far as the 2nd vise, it's all Trojan down to the unique meatball. The model no.705-1/2, not so much. I found -4- catalog ads and -2- pricelist, none with the no.705-1/2?

What is the jaw width and weight of the Trojan?

I’m not sure what the weight is, but the jaws measure 4 1/2” across.

 

[Maui]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maui
Thanks for the info. But like the other photos of vises I’ve seen the vise in the ad says Trojan on it. Mine doesn’t. It just has 705 1/2 on one side and Parker on the other. And I haven’t seen another like it anywhere.



Too be fair to that 1912 catalogue.
Parker states that they are introducing the Eclipse series
and announcing the 'solid steel bar welded into the casting' of
some of their vises. Possibly Parker compared that to they're medium priced vise, Trojan, which doesn't, so not to confuse the difference they added "Trojan" on the vise in the catalogue picture. The only named cast(?) vise in the catalogue is Trojan, which wouldn't
be an "artist rendition'" but something probably purposely dictated by Parker.
To order parts needed was # of part, name of part and number of vise so I guess parts were made.

My post should read non meatball as it's certainly odd shaped, and I'm guessing it has 4 1/2" jaws.

Hopefully another 700 series vise will turn up. I haven't really checked the spread sheet.

akasrick

I haven’t run across another one of these anywhere, which is quite surprising. Thanks for the research that you’ve done and for sharing the results Akasrick.

Maui

 

[akasrick]

I haven’t run across another one of these anywhere, which is quite surprising. Thanks for the research that you’ve done and for sharing the results.

Maui

Hell Maui It's only one catalog that was made available. It looks like Parker hung that line out to dry. Progress, manufacturing shift, sales, and all that.
I'm happy to have seen your thread.

akasrick