old small bench vise

[rich pierce]

Just bought this. It's small, sort of intermediate between a hand vise and a heavy bench vise. I am guessing this one to be mid 1800's? I liked the style, which may be similar to earlier models. I am slowly putting together a kit for an 18th century gunsmith impression. I have a blacksmith's leg vise, a wooden vise, a hand vise and now this one.

 

[smo]

Great find Rich :thumbsup:

 

[matt denison]

I have one nearly identical to yours. I do some demonstrations, for instance some heat treating seminars. I have a short length of 12" I beam on a pedistal. I clamp the portable vise to it to hold hot stuff. It is all portable this way, not too heavy.

I spent some time trueing up the faces inside the vise with a common file. Works good.