Can't find

Ani't that the truth!

 

i wish my 39 wuz as purdy as yer 38

 

My dad has had a rock island vice for as long as i can remember (looong time) Coinsidently he worked as a truck driver for Birtman Electric in the late 40's & early 50's. Vice musta fallen off the back of the truck

 

The 'Rock Island' lettering was in the mold the vise itself was cast from.
Either the Rock Island Division of Birtman cast their own vises, or there was an independant vise manufacturing company also located in RI. I don;t see any connection to the RR... unless they cast their own vises.

Note also that that's not a '37' below, but a '374'.

 

Well I got the vise painted tonight, It looks better but not 100% tho Don't want 100% its gonna be a workin vise not a shopqueen

 

"Note also that that's not a '37' below, but a '374'."

From the lastly posted painted picture, it is obviously "574", for whatever that is worth.

Probably a lot of history in that vice. Just mount it and enjoy it...