Wilton Vice Archaeology - Any Ideas?

[RatchetMan]

Hi all, I found an old Wilton vise today and thought you might like to see it since there are so many discussions about these great vises. I'm curious if any of you can date this thing. You'll notice it doesn't say "Chicago" on the side nor does it say "Schiller Park". Here's the interesting thing, it DOES NOT have anything stamped into the spline noting a manufacture date. You'll see a picture of that below. It does have the older style jaws with only the horizontal lines engraved.

The only markings other than those on the side of the vise are on the bottom of the base. They are cast into the metal and appear to be "GF40" and what I think reads somethings like "18-4" I assume one of these numbers corresponds to the jaws which are 4 inches wide. With no other date stamps, it's hard to know how old this thing is. I'm also wondering about the swivel base nuts. Are they original? I thought even the older Wilton vises had the swivel nut with the rod through them to make it easier to loosen/tighten. But, I have seen other old Wiltons with these same swivel nuts.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures and let me know what you think. The vise still works as smoothly as you would expect. Amazing how well these things hold up over the years. The jaws line up perfectly and you can tell it's a quality piece of equipment.

 

[rusty65]

Cool Wilton it should date from the 40s to the 50s and looks to be looking really good for it's age.

 

[kc-steve]

Nice! The patent pending indicates to me that it is pre-March 3, 1942 when the patent was granted.

There are a couple guys here who have a Wilton with that design.

Also, you can check out the "History" page . . .
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86615

Steve

 

[RatchetMan]

Nice! The patent pending indicates to me that it is pre-March 3, 1942 when the patent was granted.

There are a couple guys here who have a Wilton with that design.

Also, you can check out the "History" page . . .
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86615

Steve

I cruised that Wilton history thread and saw similar vises but nothing exactly the same. Wondered if there wasn't any more information out there.

 

[Man of Many Vices]

I am by no means an expert, any more than having lots of books made me smart. I note, however, several distinctive features. First, the "No. 4" must be among the earliest of numbering systems for Wilton. Second, the raised curves around the name. Third, the horizontal jaw grooves. Fourth, as you pointed out, neither "Chicago," nor "Schiller Park." And fifth, (though I missed it) the "patent pending," as indicated above. I'd say you have a wonderful, highly collectible, very early Wilton.

Forget about "value". Keep it. Don't sell it. You will never find another.

 

[RatchetMan]

Definitely not going to sell this one. I have been looking for a good Wilton for a while and this one fills the void. Satisfies my wants and has a bit of history with it too. Best of all worlds. Plus, I got it for $15 which kind of makes me think it was meant to be.

 

[DavidB]

I'll push my post I started a while back: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94265

From it you might find this post with Spongerich's vise that looks like yours:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1275150&postcount=27

His is stamped 1-46 which is the date the warranty expires, as I understand it, meaning it was made in 1941. I suspect yours was made in 1941 as well. Cool vise!

 

[kc-steve]

I cruised that Wilton history thread and saw similar vises but nothing exactly the same. Wondered if there wasn't any more information out there.

I'll push my post I started a while back: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94265

From it you might find this post with Spongerich's vise that looks like yours:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1275150&postcount=27

His is stamped 1-46 which is the date the warranty expires, as I understand it, meaning it was made in 1941. I suspect yours was made in 1941 as well. Cool vise!

Ratchetman, DavidB's post above shows a vise from the History pages of one that does look exactly like yours. I guess you missed it.

And like I said above, the patent was granted March of 1942, so yours was made before that. Not long though, because they were barely in business a year before.

Steve

 

[Glacial_Speed]

sorry.... double post

 

[Glacial_Speed]

It's interesting that Spongerich's vise has a No 4 cast into the static jaw near the bottom next to the swivel base on the Pat Pending side. And a 840 cast into the dynamic jaw too.

I don't know if that makes it older or newer. I'd guess yours is older (without more numbers), but it's a total guess based on....nothing. I think before 1942 and after the start of the company is about as specific as you'll get.

I did see one on CL like yours a few weeks back, but it wasn't at the $15 price you got yours for....they wanted $145. It looked like this, and also has swivel nuts (without handles).

Good score on a great vise in good condition at a "you ****" price.