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Author Topic: Great grampa's anvil/vise  (Read 7536 times)

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Offline Branson

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Great grampa's anvil/vise
« on: February 27, 2013, 03:18:33 PM »
A while ago I tried describing this anvil/vise, but none of us knew anything about it.  Monday, I rummaged through the storage unit and found it.  It weighs in at 49 pounds, and shows what I believe is the original green paint.

Photo number 5 shows one of the only two marks I can find on it.  The other mark will be in the second set of photos.
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Offline Branson

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise, 2
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2013, 03:29:17 PM »
The first photo is the only other mark I find -- a simple triangle.
The second shows the jaws at full open -- 8 3/4 inches.
Messed up a bit on the third photo -- it's about 7 1/2 inches from the bottom of
the base to the top of the table.

I'd sure like to know more about this tool's maker.  It's the only one that I have ever seen.  My grandfather got it from his father, and it was mounted on the bench in the garage workshop.  I spent a lot of time with it as a kid, and I guess my grandfather spent some of his childhood with it.
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Offline rusty

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2013, 04:37:38 PM »

Billings sometimes just used a plain triangle on contract stuff, but that might mean only that they drop forged the handle for someone ...

The curved trapizoid mark is a new one on me...how odd
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Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline wrenchguy

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2013, 04:49:30 PM »
that one logo somewhat reminds me of a keystone, like in pennsylvania and or railroad. good luck.
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Offline Plyerman

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2013, 06:51:25 PM »
No idea on who made it, but Dang, that thing is pretty neat!
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Offline john k

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2013, 09:49:07 PM »
Now that be different.   I have two that have the vise jaw on the opposite end from the anvil horn.   I have seen this type in a book, somewhere.   All there, and some paint left, wow. 
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Offline Branson

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2013, 08:16:52 AM »
Quote from: john k on February 27, 2013, 09:49:07 PM
Now that be different.   I have two that have the vise jaw on the opposite end from the anvil horn.   I have seen this type in a book, somewhere.   All there, and some paint left, wow.

I've seen a number of the sort that has the vise jaw at the back of the table, but all the research I've done has never turned up one like this.  If you remember the book, let me know.

The hole just above the screw is the same as the one the screw passes through.  What it worked is another mystery -- was there another jaw attachment for another use? 

Anyway, it's now serving the fourth generation of my family.
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Offline Nolatoolguy

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2013, 09:23:20 AM »
Very nice, I saw one a similar a while back at a flea market.
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Offline stormking

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2013, 09:53:16 AM »
Very cool, especially that it was your great grampa's.
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Offline lazyassforge

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2013, 07:45:26 AM »
I found an ad for a vise which looks like your grandpa's vise/anvil. It is on a scan that I have from an old Sears catalog. unfortunately, it is a scan of a copy so the quality is poor! It is a "Gipsy Combination Anvil, Vise and Drilling Machine" It weighs 45 lbs, The anvil is 7" high, the face is 8" X 3" the vise jaw is 5-1/2" and it opens out to 8" Length overall is 15". It had a hand cranked drill in the hole on the side of the vise.

I will try and attach the picture of the ad but I am afraid it will not be legible.

Oh, by the way, it cost $4.65! I think the catalog is from 1902.

Hope this helps, Bill D.
« Last Edit: March 05, 2013, 07:51:47 AM by lazyassforge »
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Offline Branson

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2013, 09:00:27 AM »
Wow!  I think this is it!  Sears 1902?  The drilling parts aren't there, but the hole to accept the crank is.  Thanks!
At $4.65 I'll take a couple more...
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Offline wrenchguy

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2013, 10:48:39 AM »
Quote from: Branson on March 05, 2013, 09:00:27 AM
Wow!  I think this is it!  Sears 1902?  The drilling parts aren't there, but the hole to accept the crank is.  Thanks!
At $4.65 I'll take a couple more...

not made by sears, only marketed by them. probably unlikely to to find out its manufacture.  super nice though, good luck.
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Offline rusty

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2013, 05:21:09 PM »
>probably unlikely to to find out its manufacture

Never underestimate Rusty ;P

It was made by Bonney Vise & Tool Works*, it is listed by the same name in Chiltons Automotive Index, 1920 index, Pg 814

("Gipsy" was also used by Prentiss)

Note: Vise, not Forge, but Allentown,PA, ...

« Last Edit: March 05, 2013, 05:23:33 PM by rusty »
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Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline Tom S

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2013, 05:52:39 PM »
That is a really great anvil/vise!! (I'd like to find something like that as an upgrade to my vise)

It's fantastic that it's stayed in your family all this time!!

Thanks for sharing!

-Tom
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Offline wrenchguy

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Re: Great grampa's anvil/vise
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2013, 07:58:56 PM »
>probably unlikely to to find out its manufacture

Never underestimate Rusty ;P

It was made by Bonney Vise & Tool Works*, it is listed by the same name in Chiltons Automotive Index, 1920 index, Pg 814

("Gipsy" was also used by Prentiss)

Note: Vise, not Forge, but Allentown,PA, ...


ok ok, u think u got me. lol.... but it was my way of testing the regulars here who won't give up the mission.  so i think i'll take partial credit. hey i did say something about pennsylvania.  kudos rusty.
« Last Edit: March 05, 2013, 08:02:39 PM by wrenchguy »
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