Wilton Bullet Vise Dated Code

[barnpicker]

I purchased this Wilton bullet vise at an estate sale. No. 101152 on side. The date code is different from any I have seen. Does anyone know the meaning of some numbers being upside down?

 

[1982fxr]

Only the 88 really looks original. Strange. I'd guess it's 8 83 and the other numbers were added later for who knows what reason.

Or maybe 4 88 is what's original. Or maybe the key is not original at all.

 

[barnpicker]

Thanks for response. We feel that the key is original. We have had many Wiltons and never have seen anything like this

 

[Fierljeppen]

To me, your Wilton date code looks like "4 83" stamped twice, alternated upside down.



I've only seen one other alternating upside down Wilton date code, but it had different year stamps.



Can you post some photos of your vise, including the side view that shows the casting numbers. I suspect the number might be a little different than the "101152" that you indicated earlier, possibly a "101162". I'm guessing that your Wilton bullet vise has 4-1/2" wide jaws.

Either way, it's an interesting date-code discrepancy that is rarely seen.

 

[1982fxr]

To me, your Wilton date code looks like "4 83" stamped twice, alternated upside down.



I've only seen one other alternating upside down Wilton date code, but it had different year stamps.



Can you post some photos of your vise, including the side view that shows the casting numbers. I suspect the number might be a little different than the "101152" that you indicated earlier, possibly a "101162". I'm guessing that your Wilton bullet vise has 4-1/2" wide jaws.

Either way, it's an interesting date-code discrepancy that is rarely seen.

I bet you're right

 

[barnpicker]

You are correct, I typed in the wrong number

 

[barnpicker]

And yes, it has 4-1/2" jaws

 

[shortykorte]

Here’s my C1 with Chicago casting and date on the base.

Just finished it today.