I have an old blacksmith vice that has a few features that i have not been able to identify the purpose.   The vice was from my grandfather who worked for the railroads in Chicago from the 1920's to the 1950's  The vice hand crank is mounted on a shaft that if the assembly is slid forward, it will rotate and close the vice jaws.  If the assembly is slid back, the hand crank can rotate a set of gear that spins a cylinder below the vice jaws (see pics).   The cylinder has a 0.50" bore, but is not lined up with a hole on the opposite side of the jaws.  

Any thoughts on the cylinder purpose?  . 

Thanks in advance

I’ve got no clue but that vise is the bee’s knees. 

It does not appear that the gears or cylinder serve any purpose.  Then, what is the gear on the side?

Wayne

Greetings Mike.

       I think you will find when in the back gear position it was set up to drive a mandrel shaft with a grinding stone between the vice jaws.. I have seen others that have drilling capability that are similar.  Nice find ..

Forge on and make beautiful things 

Jim