Need help with a very unusual hand vise. SOLVED ALSO

[Billman49]

These were often supplied with a key for tightening, square hole one end for the ratchet, and a slot with a central round hole for the wing nut on the vice, at the other end.

[Billman49]

No pictures, but a description of their use can be found at: http://www.samhallas.co.uk/repository/po_docs/h2_open_line_constn_2.pdf Pages 4 and 5

[Billman49]

This one is still available new - from Jalandar, Punjab, India... The image shows the key...

Link: http://www.tradeindia.com/fp1422142/Draw-Vice.html

[mikeswrenches]

I don't think I'd want to wind that handle very long.  I liked the bronze one  on the one that was on Worth Point.
Thanks for the info.

Mike

[Billman49]

Archiving some images, I found this

[Billman49]

Just had a look at the Worthpoint image - I was wondering where the talk of a bronze handle came from... IMHO this not original to the vice - the ratchet was used to tension the line (using a different, probably stranded steel, cable) - to get the correct tension it would be necessary to have fine control over a relatively few turns (there is no space for a lot of wire on the ratchet spool). A lever would give better control than a handle of the type shown.. Some of the draw tongs have a spring scale incorportated to measure the tension, but I guess most linesmen could get this pretty right by measuring the sag on the wire....

The one below also availabe from India (Indiamart).... with the more usual type of handle...

[Billman49]

William Wilkinson Shear manufacturer Grimesthorp Baine's 1822

William Wilkinson Shear & Makers Grimesthorpe Pigot's 1828-9

William Wilkinson Manufacturer of sheep, garden, horse and glovers' shears & shoe, cook, draw Grimesthorpe White's 1833

William Wilkinson (& Sons) manufacturers of sheep shears, shoe, bread & drawing knives, steel Spring Works, Grimesthorpe White's 1849

Rev. William Wilkinson (& Sons) sheep shear, shoeknife &c. manufacturers Grimesthorpe White's 1852
 
William Wilkinson (& Co.) sheep & garden shear &c. manufacturers 17 Backfields White's 1852

William Wilkinson (&Sons) manufacturers of sheep shears, shoe, bread & drawing knives, steels Spring Works, Grimesthorpe White's 1852

William Wilkinson (& Sons Ltd.) manufacturers of sheep shears &c Grimesthorpe Road Kelly's 1893
(also Frederick William Wilkinson Electro-plate manufacturer 57 Trafalgar Street Kelly's 1893)

William George Wilkinson Sheep shear manufacturer (W. W. & Son) h. 25 the Dale, Norton Woodseats White's 1911

William George Wilkinson Sheep shear maker (Wilkinson Walter & Son) h. 25 The Dale, Norton Woodseats White's 1919

William George Wilkinson Sheep shear manufacturer (W Wilkinson & Son) h. 25 The Dale, Norton Woodseats Kelly's 1925
 
William George jun. Wilkinson Sheep shear manufacturer (W Wilkinson & Son) h. 59 Hackthorn Road, Norton Woodseats Kelly's 1925

source: http://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic/5460-william-wilkinson-sons/

plus another adverising image

see also:

Printed notices of the formation of Burgon and Wilkinson, Sheffield as a limited company  B & B 43  1895

List of plant and machinery at Burgon and Wilkinson's Spring works in Grimesthorpe, Sheffield and valuation by Arthur M. Wild of Sheffield  B & B 44  1898

Draft valuation of fittings and plant  B & B 45  1898

Draft valuation of finished and partly finished goods at Burgon and Wilkinson, Sheffield  B & B 46  1898

Draft valuation of stock, mostly hammers  B & B 47  1899

Assignment of Burgon and Wilkinson's trade-marks and goodwill to Burgon and Ball, with some other relevant deeds and copies of deeds  B & B 48  1899

Bundle of accounts in connection with the liquidation of Burgon and Wilkinson, Sheffield including a petty cash book and bundle of vouchers  B & B 49  1899

Printed particulars of sale with plan for Spring Works, Grimesthorpe, Sheffield former premises of Burgon and Wilkinson Ltd  B & B 50  1899

source: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/A2A/records.aspx?cat=199-bb&cid=6-1#6-1

Note: Burgon & Ball (makers of sheep shears), and successors to William Wilkinson,  are still in existence in Sheffield

see: http://www.burgonandball.com/