This old Vise.

[john k]

Got this old post vise a couple of years back.   Besides being a good usable six inches wide, note the barrel, the part the threads go into, is bronze.   Not a lot of info to research on these, but something tells me its got a few decades on it.    Weighs about 72 lbs.  Sitting on top is a jewelers vise with nickel in the jaws.  It will fit in the pocket of my jeans.  yes, when I'm wearing them. 

[scottg]

Man that big 6 is nice!! Real nice
yours Scott

[Mac53]

The vice is my shop is a 6"... Got to love it!
That bronze part is really something though... I wonder why?

[Mel Larsen]

That is a great viced.  The bronze is probably used to prevent rust and would indicate use in a very humid area.   Maybe on a ship or a coastal area.   I don't think it was intended for the run of the mill use.
Mel

[leg17]

Can you find a maker's mark anywhere?  Maybe on the Bronze screw box?

[john k]

Just found this on the bay, the seller claims it was used on the water front or possibly on board a ship.   The barrel, or bell part being brass to counteract rusting of the screw.  Interesting. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Blacksmith-Post-Vise-50-pounds-6-Jaws-Rare-Find-Mariner-Brass-Bell-/221150245647?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337d94f30f.......... Mel, looks like you got it, now how did it end up in Nebraska!

[pritch]

My dad had a vice similar to that one when I was a kid. It was brass, also, but at some point it had been broken and repaired. Dad got it used, and never knew it had been broken. I re-broke it about 20 years ago and didn't know enough to save it.