Vise Identification

Kitt1993 · Jul 14, 2020

Hello everyone,

I know when I Googled this in times past it brought me here to this site, but not sure if the person in the thread ever found out the manufacture of the vise.

Has any one ever been able to identify who the maker is or how old it might be?

Its got the Star of David with the letter "N" in the middle. On both sides of the jaws are numbers 454 if my memory serves me correctly. And the No 140 on the side.

Heres a like to my Facebook and I made the pic public. I absolutely refuse to pay photobucket $8 dollar a month so I can share a pic.

https://www.facebook.com/lincoln.man.395/timeline?lst=100006123486408:100006123486408:1594767647

Appreciate any help or info on this thing.

Bryan

RTM · Jul 14, 2020

Page not found for me. Stupid IPad

Works fine from a real computer.

Leviton · Jul 14, 2020

I can see it on your Facebook.

It looks like someone else has searched for the same vise you have (post # 7181):

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&highlight=vises&page=360

RTM · Jul 14, 2020

The GJ link from Leviton mentions IForgeIron , where someone thinks it might be Iron City. The N doesn't seem to line up with what is mentioned.

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/63597-unknown-vice/

which leads to

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/45118-help-identifying-vise/

The Directory of American Toolmakers (DAT) does not list the star under Iron City. HAs nothing for Steel City either.

davethorik · Jul 15, 2020

Funny, just spotted this on FB. It has 5" jaws, no. 150

To me, looks like a Morgan. Possibly a Japanese clone of a Morgan.

1982fxr · Jul 15, 2020

I'm almost positive that style has been on here before, I remember the star

davethorik · Jul 15, 2020

Does it say Japan on the bottom of the swivel base?

thehorse13 · Jul 15, 2020

Fulton, Morgan and Milwaukee tool all used a star logo but those manufacturers used a solid star.

RTM · Jul 15, 2020

Looking through the

Vise company manufacturers directory pre 1970's
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283430

There are two listings for this style, pointing to the same three pics (Post 7)

Star of David / Bethlehem---Made in Japan-----------------Page 360, 607, 1157

Its also listed as Star N Post #2

I think the Japan is what we are all missing

davethorik · Jul 15, 2020

I've said it twice, so it isn't me missing it. Lol.

Here is a similar vise. It has a raised anvil and the letters MTECO on the side. MTECO not getting many hits either.

Kevin54 · Jul 15, 2020

Here is his pics

https://scontent-ort2-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/109305088_2664906277056796_452608967936045714_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_oc=AQkDbkj12thJzGHsIMFIt2kdwKYpD0hqAtfZ5K_KYX7jHIQjLeDnE6q3BCslMe10O5bzDeooRCZC56GytYx53soO&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.**&_nc_tp=7&oh=ee2a1d836d4d6d0fd3d0e8d32ff35a91&oe=5F34F8A8

https://scontent-ort2-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/110038912_2664905667056857_1415478147443660510_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_oc=AQlvDZP4jUSxwInbtLIXRL5mzf-QG_Vz55JDCSmxKbdpIKg858o7UqmN6mrIaKKyIf__hmykEksIhTKcHe4qMia4&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.**&_nc_tp=7&oh=216ee2d7e5a5d65d0628fe1997cd431e&oe=5F33E4CD

Fierljeppen · Jul 15, 2020

Kevin54...Thanks for posting the photos, I guess the OP isn't really interested in his own post?

davethorik said:
To me, looks like a Morgan. Possibly a Japanese clone of a Morgan.

+1

When comparing a Morgan vise with the "Star of Japan" vise side-by-side, they seem almost identical. (vises by va.grouseman)

Check out the link below to see a posting by Gman007, who has the most articulate theory about the "Star" and what it might stand for.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7258363&postcount=64398

1982fxr · Jul 15, 2020

It's been a long time since I had a Morgan, but I remember the lock down levers having the ends smashed instead of the regular style. Not sure what the right term is, swaged?

RTM · Jul 15, 2020

davethorik said:
I've said it twice, so it isn't me missing it. Lol.
r.

We were missing you not missing it.

Oldtuleguy · Jul 15, 2020

that is the star of David, so I would be looking for an Israeli manufacturer

davethorik · Jul 16, 2020

RTM said:
We were missing you not missing it.

My mistake. I was stuck in vise detective mode earlier. Lol

RTM · Jul 16, 2020

Me too, so while I was searching, you posted Japan, I still had my old window open,, so didn’t see it. Head down searching.

Kitt1993 · Jul 18, 2020

Leviton said:
I can see it on your Facebook.

It looks like someone else has searched for the same vise you have (post # 7181):

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782&highlight=vises&page=360

Yeah, Thats why I came here to this fourm. Was hoping to get more info on it.

Kitt1993 · Jul 18, 2020

RTM said:
The GJ link from Leviton mentions IForgeIron , where someone thinks it might be Iron City. The N doesn't seem to line up with what is mentioned.

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/63597-unknown-vice/

which leads to

https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/45118-help-identifying-vise/

The Directory of American Toolmakers (DAT) does not list the star under Iron City. HAs nothing for Steel City either.

Thank you for your response and info.

Kitt1993 · Jul 18, 2020

davethorik said:
Funny, just spotted this on FB. It has 5" jaws, no. 150

To me, looks like a Morgan. Possibly a Japanese clone of a Morgan.

Can you get me in touch with that seller by chance? PM me if possible.

Bryan

Kitt1993 · Jul 18, 2020

davethorik said:
Does it say Japan on the bottom of the swivel base?

No Sir it does not. Atleast I would have seen this when I attached it to the stand. I don't remember that at all. I can take it off and get back to you when I'm allowed back on Campus.

Kitt1993 · Jul 18, 2020

Kevin54 said:
Here is his pics

https://scontent-ort2-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/109305088_2664906277056796_452608967936045714_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_oc=AQkDbkj12thJzGHsIMFIt2kdwKYpD0hqAtfZ5K_KYX7jHIQjLeDnE6q3BCslMe10O5bzDeooRCZC56GytYx53soO&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.**&_nc_tp=7&oh=ee2a1d836d4d6d0fd3d0e8d32ff35a91&oe=5F34F8A8

https://scontent-ort2-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/110038912_2664905667056857_1415478147443660510_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_oc=AQlvDZP4jUSxwInbtLIXRL5mzf-QG_Vz55JDCSmxKbdpIKg858o7UqmN6mrIaKKyIf__hmykEksIhTKcHe4qMia4&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.**&_nc_tp=7&oh=216ee2d7e5a5d65d0628fe1997cd431e&oe=5F33E4CD

Thank you Kevin, I wasnt sure how to put pictures here.

Bryan

Kitt1993 · Jul 18, 2020

Fierljeppen said:
Kevin54...Thanks for posting the photos, I guess the OP isn't really interested in his own post?

Yes, I am, just been busy with this COVID BS ****. But I appreciate the help and support.

Bryan

Kitt1993 · Jul 18, 2020

Oldtuleguy said:
that is the star of David, so I would be looking for an Israeli manufacturer

I was wondering the same thing, But not having much luck either.

Bryan

doubletroubledan · Oct 16, 2024

100 pound N star Made in Japan .

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