Jump to content
I Forge Iron

Wagon Tongue Vise


JT

Recommended Posts

I just bought this Civil War era ??  wagon tongue vise. others I have seen like this are described as being from that era,  so that's what I'm guessing.. I knew what it was when I saw it and ended up paying $72.00 for it at a small local on-line auction.. now to take it apart and clean it and straighten the handle.

7d8ec80a89557c7d7a836585d90b2089[1].jpg

a2bd3460318e55d31fe25d2ec7164531[1].jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bought a hammer at the flea market it looks just like one on a roman tombstone and I know they used them back then so it must be 2000 years old right?

What  you need to document is when the last ones were made/used and then you know that they must be earlier. Now I checked in the 1897, 1905 and 1908 Sears Roebuck catalogs and they were not shown; Didn't find a mention in a quick scan through all 4 volumes of Practical Blacksmithing, (1889,1890, 1891) so we're getting closer.

 David Einhorn has documented them to the 1850's and civil war years--see his book on Civil War Blacksmithing.

But we still don't have a start or end date!  Check your vise to see if it has an iron city stamp on it just for curiosity...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well a small update.. I picked it up a day early ! so far I straightened the handle, got most of the nuts to loosen and turn ( pivot bolt turns a touch so far and is soaking ) jaw opens a couple inches so far and is soaking at the pivot bolt and cheeks.. screw & Box look really good and has old grease.. I'll see more tomorrow after soaking over night to see how much more movement I've gained..  oh..  the jaws are a little over 3 3/4" wide but not quite 4" … more to come once I get it apart and wire wheel it all..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...