Bench Vise

Date1750-1850

MediumIron and steel

DimensionsHeight without clamp: 7 1/2" Across screw assembly: 5 5/8" Jaws: 2 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1986-115

DescriptionSmall movable bench vise of conventional form, mounted by an integral clamp with spiked pads.Label TextFor lighter and finer work, a smaller vise was perfect. Though it operated much the same as the permanently-affixed leg vise, this handy example was mounted by a simple screw clamp. With such versatility, it could be affixed to the spot along the smith’s bench with the best working light as the day went on.