Anyone recognize this old foot vise?

I had never seen one like this before, and I could find no markings on it.  Some sort of farrier's vise, but any info?

Edited March 18, 201511 yr by Black Frog

Dunno what it is, but I LIKE.   It looks like something that belongs in Alabama... just sayin.....  

Yep, its an odd caulking vice, the block in front for sharpening the caulks gives it away.  Not one of the more versatile designs.  But still very handy for a quick hold on things.  Never seen anything like it, sorry.

Beautiful. 

That vise is for upsetting/heading. I have one similar but it mounts to a bench. Yours is nicer in that it is free standing. Also, on mine both jaws are replaceable. 

Are the parts free? 

Edit; Both of your jaws are replaceable. The idea is the you make jaws for specific purposes and swap them out. The foot action is important when upsetting or heading because the iron cools so fast. 

Edited March 18, 201511 yr by arftist
add info and make correction

It's not mine, it was at a place where I picked up an anvil and I was looking at it. 

Everything is free and very nice except for the surface rust.  The owner was even standing on the foot lever with all his weight to show me how strong it was.....  I liked the design, one downside is that it takes up a lot of footprint floor space.  Cool counterweight on the pedal lever opens it up quickly.

Edited March 18, 201511 yr by Black Frog

Hard to price because they are so uncommon. For a hundred or two I would grab it assuming you have room. I noticed a lot of folks buy rivets but in my strange little market everything has to be hand formed. 

He wasn't selling it at the moment, but contemplating it.  I would be interested if he does decide to- It would look great all cleaned up!

Greetings.

I believe it was called the frogopincher. Made exclusively for removing frog legs. Commonly purchased by high classed restraunts.  

Forge on and make beautiful things

Jim

Surface rust on something 150 years old doesn't bother me much but I do understand wanting things to look nice. 

Jim, not sure about it being called the 'frogopincher', but I'm thinking I'd like to call it mine....  .

     Wiley & Russell MFG Co.

   From 1898 ad:    

 

 

Edited March 18, 201511 yr by Black Frog

Very neat contraption.  I've seen a lot of caulking vises, but never one so oddly shaped.  It would look incredible with your signature clean-up, Frog.

Wow, that is amazing, I didn't notice on the add you put up the two different models. So it looks just like a heading vise but is somehow different. Any idea what the difference is? I have a nice old one but have never seen another like it. Mine was designed to operate mounted to a wood bench. 

Arftist, the heading vise has an adjustable stop under the work so you can upset large bolts and such without worrying about the stock slipping down in the vise jaws.  Very handy thing to have!

Arftist, the heading vise has an adjustable stop under the work so you can upset large bolts and such without worrying about the stock slipping down in the vise jaws.  Very handy thing to have!

​So I guess my vise is a farrier tool. I am trying not to be embarrassed. (sarcasm)

Charles?