Rare vise find today

[formariz 11,987]

So every Sunday on the way to visit grandkids we stop at our favorite antique mall. Today I stumbled on these two vises. A 603-1/2 Colombian machinists vise barely used and the little gem next to it. 

 It’s the little guy that is quite the find. An extremely rare ,very early G. Boleys jewelers / watch makers vise. Made in Germany it is from the 1880s . Unlike any other vise, it is the rear jaw that moves riding on precisely machined dovetail gibbs. It is the earliest one I have ever seen. It was just thrown in a crate on the floor mixed up with all kinds of rusty hardware. As I stood over the crate it literally screamed at me for help. It’s basically a once in a lifetime opportunity to find one like this. It came at a cost of a whopping $25.00. Not bad for something worth in the area of $500.00. 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,593]

Excellent eye Sir!

[rjg854 11,378]

Nice find and deal on that vise 

[lynnmor 7,307]

I suspect there is a swivel base that fits the tapered bottom, or does the taper swivel in the bottom of the vise????

[formariz 11,987]

2 hours ago, lynnmor said:

I suspect there is a swivel base that fits the tapered bottom, or does the taper swivel in the bottom of the vise????

The tapered bottom female section part of actual vise rotates on the separate tapered male section . This section as you can see on photo has three protruding pins that sink into top preventing that part from turning. Vise is swiveled by loosening wing nut under top. Drawback is that one always needs access to wing nut under bench. This is what along other features what identifies it as such an early model. This system is prior to manufacturers coming up with the swiveling top mount as in the Colombian next to it. Compare it to the photo of the early  pre patent Emmert’s  Machinists vise. 
 This is actually the only one I have ever seen with a swivel base of any type. All the others on record are fixed models and much later models the earliest one known to me from the 1920s . Those already have Boley cast into them. This one is only hand stamped and part numbers cast on it. 
 
 Since it is in great original condition and due to the rarity of it it , it will remain this way. I now have to find a place for it where it can be used  as it should. 
 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2021 by formariz

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Awesome finds.

 

On the bigger one, is it missing a jaw? Or are my eyes deceiving me?

[formariz 11,987]

3 hours ago, 71_Bronco said:

Awesome finds.

 

On the bigger one, is it missing a jaw? Or are my eyes deceiving me?

Yes it is missing the front jaw. Part of it that is. The important part. Old Colombians use a T shaped jaw held with vertical pins. Going to have to make one. These things are just about impossible to find. May decide to tap a regular one right into the leg if the T that is left. This vise is going to go on my younger son’s Snapon tool box. 

Edited November 23, 2021 by formariz

[formariz 11,987]

All set up. Will be used this way clamped to bench when needed otherwise stored. More versatile this way with no obstructions around it. It will be pretty handy to work in custom hardware. It can be placed close to work hardware is being fitted to.