WARNING: this page is AI slop — it was put together to collect information, nothing more
Britain
Collection: contents · Britain · USA · Germany · Russia · France · Switzerland · Sweden · Poland
Hand vices in the British toolmaking tradition: from the 1844 London catalogue of Holtzapffel to the 20th-century models of Marples and Record.
Most of the illustrations are extracts from genuine British trade catalogues listed in the sources: these scans are in the public domain. Two photographs from the Science Museum Group are museum photographs under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence, with the rights holder named beneath each one.
1. Terminology
English catalogues describe hand vices with a vocabulary of their own:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hand vice | hand vice |
| chaps | jaws. Holtzapffel, 1844: «with straight or cross chaps» |
| vice chops | jaw plates. Plucknett, 1885: section VICE CHOPS |
| dog nose | “dog nose” — a jaw shape; so standard that it was listed with or as a synonym: «Vice or Dog Nose» |
| round joint / square joint | the form of the hinge. The round one is dearer and stronger, the square one the cheap common grade |
| Lancashire | the Lancashire pattern, a mark of class. Nurse, 1902: «Lancashire-made Hand Vices» |
| tail vice | a vice with a pin-like tail for securing it |
| the pair | hand vices were sold in pairs, not singly |
2. Historical documents
2.1. Holtzapffel & Co., “General Catalogue”, 1844, pp. 27 and 66
Full scan of the catalogue: archive.org
2.2. C. J. Plucknett & Co., catalogue, 1885, p. 13
Full scan of the catalogue: archive.org
2.3. C. E. Billings, US patent 525,311 “Hand Vise”, 1894
Patent: Google Patents · DATAMP
2.4. Wynn, Timmins & Co., catalogue No. VI, 1899, pp. 77 and 81
Full scan of the catalogue: archive.org
2.5. Charles Nurse & Co., price list No. 12, 1902, p. 153
Full scan of the catalogue: archive.org
2.6. Patents, 1899–1988
| Patent | Publication | Inventor | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB 1899/14593 | 19.08.1899 | William Stewart Mackie | Improvements in Hand-vice and other Strainers or Stretchers |
| GB 703,567 | 03.02.1954 | — | Improvements in or relating to hand vices |
| GB 722,132 | 19.01.1955 | — | Improvements in or relating to hand operated vices or clamps |
| GB 912,291 | 05.12.1962 | — | Hand-vice |
| GB 965,408 | 29.07.1964 | — | Hand-vice |
| GB 2,198,668 | 22.06.1988 | Tai-Her Yang | Vice |
🔗 Search: https://patents.google.com/?q=%22hand+vice%22&country=GB
2.7. Science Museum Group, hand vice, inv. 1973-512/7
Collection record: Science Museum Group · © Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
2.8. Science Museum Group, 5″ hand vice, inv. 1929-803/23
Collection record: Science Museum Group · © Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
2.9. Other documents
- International Exhibition of 1862, Official Illustrated Catalogue, Part XII (Iron and General Hardware, Steel and Cutlery), 1862 — archive.org
- Bahco Record Tool Group, catalogue, 1984 (brands Record, Marples, Ridgway, Gilbow, Lindström) — archive.org
3. Who made them: the firms
British makers of vices:
- J. Parkinson & Son (Shipley, Yorkshire, brand Parkson). Joseph Parkinson traded in Bradford from 1865, the firm was founded in 1867; in 1892 his son joined and the present name appeared, in 1893 it moved to Shipley, and around 1896 it acquired the Prince of Wales Foundry (Canal Ironworks). Advertisement for “Vises and Vise stands” — 1913. In 1954 the firm passed to Crofts (Engineers) Holdings Ltd. 🔗 Grace’s Guide
- William Marples and Sons (Sheffield). Founded in 1828; addresses Broomhall Street → Broomspring Lane (1837) → Westfield Terrace (1856, “for 116 years”) → Hibernia Works → production at Dronfield from 1972. In 1962 it acquired W. Ridgeway and Sons and C. and J. Hampton, and family ownership came to an end. 🔗 Grace’s Guide
- Record (Sheffield). Founded in 1898 as C. and J. Hampton; 1972 merger with William Ridgway and Sons → Record Ridgway Tools; 1982 → Bahco Record Tools Ltd; 1985 → Record Marples Ltd; 1990 → Record Tools Ltd; 2003 → Irwin Industrial Tool Company Limited. 🔗 Grace’s Guide
- Woden — Woden Works, Wednesbury, Staffordshire. 🔗 Grace’s Guide
- F. Parramore & Sons — Caledonian Works, Chapeltown, Sheffield, maker of tools under the «Paramo» brand. 🔗 Grace’s Guide
3.1. William Marples & Sons, «Shamrock Brand» Tool Catalog, 1928
Full scan of the catalogue: archive.org
3.2. William Marples & Sons, 1955 pocket catalogue and 1959 catalogue
Full scans of the catalogues: 1955 · 1959
4. Flea markets and auctions
Rolls, aluminium hand vices for jewellers and watchmakers (eBay lot 398154544560)
Rolls, hand vices, England (eBay lot 307093724223)
LARGE HAND HELD VISE - PLUMPTON, WARRINGTON
2 No: Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vices – Good Condition
Antique Blacksmiths Made Spring-Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Antique Clock Maker’s Or Jeweller’s Hand Vice With Ebonised Handle
Antique Hand Vice With Small 1 ¼” Wide Jaw – Cleaned Ready For Use
Antique Hand Vice With Small 7/8” Wide Jaw – Cleaned Ready For Use
Antique Stubs Clockmakers Cast Steel Hand Vice with Brass Wing Nut Adjuster
Antique Thewlis & Griffith 1835-1907 Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice
Antique Vintage Hugoniot-Tissot France Jewellers Cast Steel Hand Vice
Beautiful Antique Watchmakers Hand Vice
Interesting Small Vintage Jewellers Hand Vice Grips – Good Condition
Large Vintage Marples & Sons Engineers Or Jewellers Hand Vice – Good Condition
Scarce Antique C E Billings USA Portable Hand Vice PAT 1894 – Good Condition
Superb Vintage Millers Falls Hand Vice Multi Tool – Very Good Condition
Sweet Little Antique Small Jewellers Hand Vice – Good Condition
Unusually Large Vintage 8” Cast Steel Hand Vice
Vintage 1 ½” Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Alex Mathieson & Son Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Bridgeport USA Clock Maker’s Spring Loaded Hand Vice
Vintage British-made 5” Long Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Cast Steel Hand Held Vice Tool – Good Condition
Vintage Cast Steel Hand Vice 1 ½” Wide Jaws – Good Condition
Vintage Cast Steel Hand Vice 1 ⅜” Jaws Stamped G&R – Good Condition
Vintage Cast Steel Hand Vice with 1 1/8” Jaw – Refurbished Ready To Use
Vintage Cast Steel Hand Vice With ⅜” Jaws – Good Condition
Vintage Cast Steel Sprung Loaded Hand Vice with 1 1/8” Jaw – Good Condition
Vintage Clock Maker’s Or Engineer’s Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Clock Maker’s Or Engineer’s Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Eclipse 110 Watchmaker’s Jeweller’s Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Eclipse No: 10 Watchmaker’s Or Jeweller’s Hand Vice
Vintage Eclipse No: 110 Watchmaker’s Jeweller’s Hand Vice
Vintage Eclipse No2 Small 4 Jaw Hand Pin Vice Clamp Tool – Good Condition
Vintage Engineers Hand Vice Clamp – Good Condition
Vintage Engineer’s Jeweller’s Hand Fixed Small Vice – Good Condition
Vintage German Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Hand Vice 1 1/8” Wide Sprung Loaded Jaws – Refurbished
Vintage Hand Vice With Small 1 3/8” Wide Jaws – Cleaned Ready For Use
Vintage Highgate 1952 Cast Steel Hand Vice 1 ¾” Jaws – Good Condition
Vintage Millers Falls USA Clock Maker’s Or Engineer’s Hand Vice – Rosewood Handle
Vintage Ministry Stamped 1950 Cast Steel Hand Vice 1 5/8” Wide Jaws – Good Condition
Vintage Modelmakers Sprung Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice 1 ½” Jaws – Refurbished
Vintage Mosers Ltd Hand Vice 1 5/8” Wide Jaws – Refurbished Ready To Use
Vintage Mosers Ltd London Hand Vice
Vintage Mosers Ltd of London Hand Vice With 1 5/8” Jaws – Lightly Used
Vintage Mosers New Old Stock Cast Steel Hand Vice 1 5/8” Jaw – Good Condition
Vintage Peugeot Freres Brevete France Clock Maker’s Hand Vice
Vintage R. Timmins & Sons Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice
Vintage Sheffield Cast Steel 1 3/8” Wide Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Sheffield Made Hand Vice 1 3/8” Jaws – Lightly Used
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Broad Arrow Dated 1948
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice Broad Arrow – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring-Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Sprung Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Sprung Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Sprung Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage T Newey & Sons Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Thewlis & Co Spring Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice – Good Condition
Vintage Watchmaker’s Or Jeweller’s Hand Vice - Air Ministry 1941
Vintage Watchmakers Pin Vice with Keyless Chuck – Refurbished Ready To Use
Vintage WW2 Sprung Loaded Cast Steel Hand Vice 1 ⅜” Jaws 1942 Broad Arrow
Vintage WWII Cast Steel Brindley 1942 Hand Vice Broad Arrow – Good Condition
Extra Large STUBBS Hand Vise - 119914
Vintage jewellers hand vice made in Germany
Vintage 4 1/2” X 1 1/2” Hand Vice Clamp Jewellers, Machinist, Gunsmith
Vintage Small Cast Steel Hand Vice / Jeweller’s Clamp / Model Engineer Tool
ANTIQUE THEWLIS & GRIFFIN Hand Vice Clamp 1 1/2” - Collectable Clamp Hand Tool
Vintage 4 ½”Hand Vice Clamp Strong Jaws 1½” wide WW” 1942 Gov. Issue Arrow E
Vintage 5 “ Hand Vice Clamp Strong Jaws 1½” wide WW2 1944 Gov. Issue Arrow F
Vintage L. Hugoniot-Tissot Pliers Hand Vice Clamp Watchmakers Tool
Vintage Hand Vise Clamp Jewellers, Machinist, Gunsmith
Sources
Patent databases
Google Patents — British patents: https://patents.google.com/?q=%22hand+vice%22&country=GB (45 documents)
Key records: GB189914593A · GB106217A · GB119190A · GB423436A · GB603464A · GB621350A · GB703567A · GB722132A · GB912291A · GB965408A · GB1465227A · GB1472278A
DATAMP — a database of American patents, used to establish the origin of the “Billings’ Patent Hand Vice”: https://datamp.org/displayPatent.php?pn=525311&id=18791
History of the British makers
- Grace’s Guide — J. Parkinson and Son, Shipley — https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/J._Parkinson_and_Son
- Grace’s Guide — William Marples and Sons, Sheffield — https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Marples_and_Sons
- Grace’s Guide — Record Tools (C. and J. Hampton, 1898) — https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Record_Tools
- Grace’s Guide — Woden Tools, Wednesbury — https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Woden_Tools
- Grace’s Guide — F. Parramore and Sons («Paramo»), Chapeltown, Sheffield — https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/F._Parramore_and_Sons
- Wikipedia — Vise (overview of types) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vise
USA
Collection: contents · Britain · USA · Germany · Russia · France · Switzerland · Sweden · Poland
The American line of hand vises is documented by US patents from 1856 and by trade catalogs from 1886. The American spelling of the term is vise, the British one is vice. In American catalogs, hand vises are printed alongside bench vises, pipe vises, clamps and machine clamps.
1. Terminology
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hand vise | a hand vise (not vice) |
| jaws | the jaws. American catalogs almost always say jaws, whereas British ones use chaps and chops |
| improved hand vise | a standard catalog item: 8 ounces, steel jaws, a hole for wire (found at different firms at the same price) |
| universal hand vise | a vise that works in the hand, on the bench, in a chuck, and with a bit brace |
| plain hand vise | the simplest kind, of cast steel, black |
| forced | of drop-forged steel, as opposed to cast |
| parallel jaw | parallel jaws — the mark of a top grade, for which buyers paid extra |
| telegraph vise, with loop | a lineman’s vise, with a loop for a strap |
| vise strap | a strap for carrying the vise |
| per dozen | the main pricing unit in wholesale catalogs; retail and maker catalogs price per piece |
2. Historical documents
2.1. Bonney Vise and Tool Co., 1886 catalog, p. 12
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.2. Thornton N. Motley & Co., New York, 1890 catalog, p. 176
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.3. Manning, Maxwell & Moore, New York, 1894 catalog, p. 849
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.4. Russell & Erwin Mfg. Co., 1899 catalog, p. 846
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.5. Goodell-Pratt Company, catalog No. 8, 1907, pp. 164–165
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.6. Millers Falls Company, “Catalogue H”, 1912, pp. 144–146
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.7. Goodell-Pratt Company, catalog No. 11, 1913, pp. 224–225
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.8. Montgomery Ward & Co., catalog No. 84, 1916, p. 871
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.9. Goodell-Pratt Company, catalog No. 16, 1926, pp. 227–228
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.10. Millers Falls Company, catalog No. 40, 1929, pp. 159–160
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.11. Goodell-Pratt Company, catalog No. 17, 1930, pp. 190–191
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.12. L. S. Starrett Company, catalog No. 26, 1938, p. 182
Full scan of the catalog: archive.org
2.13. US patents, 1856–1974
3. Flea markets and auctions
SPOTLESS STARRETT NO. 86 MACHINIST HAND VISE - PATENTED 1923
ENGINEERING TOOLS & FORGINGS LTD. MACHINIST HAND VISE
ENGINEERING TOOLS & FORGINGS LTD. MACHINIST HAND VISE
MIB MILLERS FALLS ALFORD NO. 1 MACHINIST HAND VISE SET
NICE ETF MACHINIST HAND VISE LIKE STARRETT NO 86
FINE LS STARRETT NO. 86 HAND VISE
LOVELY 4 3/4” BLACKSMITH HAND VISE
MINTY MACHINIST HAND VISE 1 3/8” JAWS
BEAUTY COMPLETE STARRETT NO. 86 MACHINIST HAND VISE - 1923 PATENT
FABULOUS EARLY HAND VISE
VERY UNUSUAL SMALL DOUBLE ENDED HAND VISE - JEWELLERS, WATCHMAKERS
Remarkable Hand Vise - 121442
Unique 5 Inch Hand Vise - 120133
Vintage Hand Held Vise Watchmaker Jeweler Gunsmith Wooden Handle Vice ~
Vintage TOOLS MINI Hand Vise Clamp 1-1/4” Jaw Gunsmith Jeweler
Antique 1.” Jaw Precision Jeweler’s Hand Vise Cable Clamp Rare V C & Co. Mark
Vintage Hand Vise Jewelers / Watchmaker Tool Made In France 🇫🇷 Nice ! L👀K !
Vintage Watchmakers Jewelers Thumb Screw Precision Hand Vise
Vintage Hand Held Vise Jewelers Gunsmith Watchmakers Wood Handle
Antique BRASS Machinist Hand Vise Clamp Machinist Jeweler Gunsmith Watch Clock
Vintage Unmarked Non Locking Hand Vise Tool Machinist Jewelry Gunsmith
Vintage Heavy Cast Steel Machinist’s Hand Vise Vom Cleff & Co Germany 1 5/8” Jaw
Vintage Wood Handle Hand Vise Clamp 1 1/4” Wide Jaw Machinist Jeweler Gunsmith
Antique 5” Gunsmith Machinist Hand Vise 1 1/2” Jaws Hand Forged Aesthetic Design
Goodell-Pratt Co. No. 97 Jeweler’s Parallel Jaw Geared Hand Vise w. Crest Logo
Large antique hand vise 2” wide jaw collectible clamp machinist tool
Vintage General No 815 Cast Iron Hand Held Vise Machinist Gunsmith Jewelers 5”l
Vintage Antique Hand Held Vise Machinest Gunsmith Jeweler Tool
Jewelers/Watchmakers/Machinists Hand Vise Antique Rare Tool 4 1/2” (North Brothers)
Antique Hand Vises or File Clamps, 1930s, Set of 5
Sources
Patent databases
DATAMP (Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents) — category work holding → vises → hand vises, 41 patents: https://datamp.org/patents/search/typeSearch.php
Entries for key patents in DATAMP:
- US 525,311 (Billings, 1894) — https://datamp.org/displayPatent.php?pn=525311&id=18791
- US 15,073 (Hart, 1856) — https://datamp.org/displayPatent.php?pn=15073&id=15382
- US 335,930 (Ide, 1886) — https://datamp.org/displayPatent.php?pn=335930&id=80977
- US 1,473,946 (Starrett / Amsden, 1923) — https://datamp.org/displayPatent.php?pn=1473946&id=24726
Google Patents — patent texts and drawings (the drawings in this document are taken from there). Search by country and keyword: https://patents.google.com/?q=%22hand+vise%22&country=US (285 documents) Chronological search 1941–1974: https://patents.google.com/?q=%22hand+vise%22&country=US&before=priority:19791231&after=priority:19400101
- https://patents.google.com/patent/US15073A · US57447A · US92729A · US166553A · US205434A · US207620A · US260404A · US282033A · US297853A · US335930A · US525311A · US650395A · US828787A · US919971A · US1473946A · US2159193A
Germany
Collection: table of contents · Britain · USA · Germany · Russia · France · Switzerland · Sweden · Poland
German hand vises — Feilkloben. From a 1505 manuscript to the production models of the 1980s.
Most of the illustrations are engravings and museum photographs from the sources listed at the end.
1. Terminology
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Feilkloben | hand vise; literally “file clamp” |
| Stielklöbchen | small hand vises on a stem (Verkleinerungsform of Kloben), used by watchmakers |
| Feilkluppe | wooden hand vise made of two boards |
| Handschraubstock | hand vise, “hand screw clamp” — a synonym emphasizing the screw |
| Parallel-Feilkloben | hand vise with parallel jaws |
| Maschinen-Feilkloben | hand vises “for machinists”, fitter’s |
| Schraubstock | bench vise |
| mit Flügelmutter / mit Schlüssel | with a wing nut / with a tommy key |
| mit Holzheft | with a wooden handle |
| breites Maul | wide jaw opening |
| geschmiedet | forged (as opposed to cast) |
2. Historical Documents
2.1. Martin Löffelholz von Kolberg, Löffelholz Codex, c. 1505
Record: Commons
2.2. Meisterstück der Zirkelschmiede, Nuremberg, 1611
Record: Commons
2.3. Inventory of the tool collection of the Imperial-Royal Polytechnic Institute, Vienna, 1825
Scan of the inventory: archive.org
2.4. Lohmann & Co., Bremen — Werkzeug-Katalog
Full scan of the catalogue: archive.org
2.5. Robert Frohn Sohn, Remscheid — Exportkatalog No. 165 (1950)
Full scan of the catalogue: archive.org
2.6. Turnus (Eduard Gottfr. Ferne), Remscheid — Spannkloben series
Source: KUKKO, Spannkloben
2.7. Patents and Utility Models, 1923–1984
German patents and utility models mentioning Feilkloben and Handschraubstock.
| Document | Publication | Type | Applicant | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE 371,346 C | 14.03.1923 | patent | — | Wrench with rack and pinion gear for moving the movable jaw |
| DE 1,628,018 U | 13.09.1951 | utility model | Max Hoffmann | Feilkloben |
| DE 1,661,439 U | 13.08.1953 | utility model | — | Feilkloben |
| DE 1,728,030 U | 16.08.1956 | utility model | — | Feilkloben for repairing door locks |
| DE 1,906,00 U | 14.01.1965 | utility model | — | Feilkloben |
| DE 7,413,942 U | 25.07.1974 | utility model | — | Work table, in particular a laboratory table |
| DE 8,412,340 U1 | 26.07.1984 | utility model | — | STEEL HAND VICE |
Search: Google Patents, DE
2.8. Military and Armourer’s Vises: Mauser and the Bundeswehr
Hand vises were part of the standard armourer’s kits (Kleiner und Großer Waffenmeisterwerkzeugkasten). They turn up for sale under the Mauser name and with the NATO number NSN 5120-12-126-1776.
Listing: Militärbestände Schult
2.9. Other Documents
- Die Deutsche Werkzeugindustrie (DWI), 1942 — a register of makers’ marks of the German tool industry: holzwerken.de
- Trademark registrations of Turnus (Eduard Gottfr. Ferne) — DE 607059 (1949), DE 822532 (1963), DE 958032 (1973): DPMA
3. Flea Markets and Auctions
Real-world examples: photographs from shops and auctions, one lot at a time, each with a link to the source.
Excellent HENRY BOKER Hand Vise - 118199
Feilkloben, Nr.1, Spannzwinge, Werkzeug, Werkstatt, Schmiede, Spannkolben, alt
ebay.de — lot 127948956487-turnus-m160-feilkloben-klemmzwinge-spannkloben-a
M250 Feilkloben Klemmzwinge Spannkloben aus Stahl
M200 Feilkloben Klemmzwinge Spannkloben aus Stahl
Turnus Maschinen-Feilkloben 160 mm Spannkloben
Antiker Feilkloben, Handschraubstock.alt.gebraucht.funktionsfähig
Retro Werkstattfund Stahl Kloben nostalischer Feilkloben Backenbreite 50 mm
Feilkloben Backenbreite 40 mm - DDR Produkt
Kopf-Handkloben TURNUS 100mm Feilkloben Hand-Schraubstock Werkzeug Super Zustand
Schlosser Schmiede alter Feilkloben Alte Antike Werkzeuge
Schlosser Schmiede alter Feilkloben Alte Antike Werkzeuge
1x Feilkloben Handfeilkloben 120 x 40 Spannkloben Spannbacke Bundeswehr
Feilkloben 1x Handfeilkloben 120 x 40 Spannkloben Spannbacke Bundeswehr gebr
Alter Spannkloben Handfeilkloben Klemmzange Handschraubstock Vintage Werkzeug
Alter Feilkloben Handschraubstock Spannkloben Flügelschraube Vintage Werkzeug
Alter Feilkloben Handschraubstock Spannkloben Klemmzange ca. 120 mm Vintage
S34 - 45 mm Feilkloben Handschraubstock Spannkloben integrierte Anschraubpl.
Turnus Feilkloben Spannkloben Spannzwinge Schraubstock Spanner Länge 145mm Grün
1 Handfeilkloben groß
1 Handfeilkloben klein
160 mm. Feilkloben Handfeilkloben Handschraubstock Marke Turnus
2 Handfeilkloben gebr. 125x70x38 mm mit Flügelmutter 1920-1930er
2 Turnus 120mm Feilkloben Spannkloben Schraubzwinge
2. WK Wehrmacht Werkzeug Feilkloben mit H&K 41 H für MG 34 42
2. WK Wehrmacht Werkzeug Feilkloben Waffenmeisterkasten MG 34 42
2x Spannkloben Feilkloben Handspannkloben 150 mm SCHWER
3 antike Hand-Schraubstöcke Handvisen Metall
354_Turnus Handfeilkloben 130 mm mit Flügelmutter,
5 antike Feilkloben nostalgisches Werkzeug
5x Vintage Hand-Schraubstöcke Handklemmen Metall Feilkolben
Antike Feilkloben Juco Handschraubstöcke Vintage Werkzeug 2x
Antiker Feilkloben Handschraubstock Werkzeug
Antiker Feilkloben Spannkloben Schraubzwinge
Antiker Spannkloben -Feilkloben - Schraubstock - Schraubzwinge
DDR Handschraubstock/DDR Feilkloben/DDR Bastelschraubstock
diverse Feilkloben/Reifkloben
Engländer Franzose Feilkloben Spannkloben Zwinge Klemme ALT!
Feikloben,Handfeilkloben,Zwinge,Turnus,160mm
Feilkloben
Feilkloben alt
Feilkloben, Handfeilkloben, Spannkloben, Maschinenspannkloben
Feilkloben Handschraubstock
Feilkloben, Handschraubstock
Feilkloben Handschraubstock Klemmzwinge Schraubstock
Feilkloben Handschraubstock Reifkloben 200mm
Feilkloben, Handschraubstock, Spannkloben, Handspannkloben 2 St.
Feilkloben (Handschraubstöcke)
Feilkloben, Kloben, Spanner, Zwinge, Spannzwinge, Metallbau
Feilkloben-Set: TURNUS 145mm + großer Spannkloben
Feilkloben / Spannkloben
Feilkloben Spannkloben Halter Spanner
Feinkloben drei Stück , Spannkloben
Hand-Schraubstock / Feilkloben grün mit Flügelmutter
Handfeilklobe Turnus
Handfeilkloben Fahrrad Werkzeug Antik Alt
Handfeilkloben Fahrrad Werkzeug Oldtimer Antik
Handfeilkloben / Turnus 120mm
Handfeilkloben v.ca. 1900,Schlosser
Handschraubstock Feilkloben Antik
Handschraubstöcke Feilkloben Spannkloben
Kleiner Feilkloben Handschraubstock Handfeilkloben aus Stahl
Konvolut 3x antike Handfeilkloben - Historisches Handwerkzeugen
Maschinen Feilkloben 200 mm
Parallel – Stielfeilkloben 10 €
Reifkloben, Feilkloben , Reibkloben, Reibeisen
Reifkloben Turnus M160 und M250
Schraubzwinge Feilkloben Reifkloben antik alt
Spannkloben
Spannkloben alt 50er 60er Jahre? 23 cm lang
Spannkloben Feilkloben
Spannkloben, Feilkloben, Handfeilkloben, defekt
Spannkloben, Feilkloben, Handfeilkloben (Handschraubstock) 255x85
Spannvorrichtung Spannkloben antike Werkzeuge
Stielfeilkloben
Stielfeilkloben
Turnus Handfeilkloben Feinkloben Maschinenkloben Handkloben
Turnus Handfeilkloben Handschraubstock 130mm vintage
Turnus Handfeilkloben, Handspannvorrichtung
TURNUS® Handfeilkloben mit Flügelmutter, 120 mm
TURNUS M 250 Feilkloben/ Spannkloben
Turnus M180 Maschinen Feilkloben Spannkloben Maschinenspannkolobe
Turnus R 125 Feilkloben / Spannkloben
Turnus Spannkloben 145mm, Spannzwinge 60 mm
TURNUS Stielfeilkloben Handschraubstock Spannkloben 145mm
Uhrmacherbedarf, Feilkloben, Schraubzwinge
Uralter hölzerner Spannkloben aus ehemaliger Wagnerei
Verkauft wird ein Feilkloben mit Kurbel von der Fa. Profiwerkzeug
VINTAGE Feilkloben Handfeilkloben
Grosser Feilkloben, gute Qualität, gebraucht
Vintage antiker Feilkloben, Handschraubstock, Handfeilkloben
Werkzeug / Franzose / Feilkloben
Sources
Historical Inventories and Manuscripts
- Beschreibung der Werkzeug-Sammlung des k.k. polytechnischen Institutes, Wien, 1825 — section “III. Feilkloben (36–38)”, a terminological equivalence hand-vice = Feilkloben — https://archive.org/details/beschreibungderw00altm
- Löffelholz-Codex Ms-Berol-Germ-Qu-132, Fol 026r, c. 1505 — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:L%C3%B6ffelholz-Codex_Ms-Berol-Germ-Qu-132_Fol_026r.png
Museum Collection
- Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg — Meisterstück der Zirkelschmiede, 1611 — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1611_Meisterst%C3%BCck_der_Zirkelschmiede_anagoria.JPG
Patent Databases
Google Patents — German patents and utility models: https://patents.google.com/?q=Feilkloben&country=DE (127 documents) https://patents.google.com/?q=Handschraubstock&country=DE (60 documents)
Key records: DE371346C · DE1628018U · DE1661439U · DE1728030U · DE1908600U · DE1196586B · DE1240000B · DE7413942U · DE8412340U1
Turnus, Spannkloben Series and the Modern Line
- KUKKO Werkzeugfabrik — catalogue of the Spannkloben series: Spannkloben category
- eBay lot, TURNUS Spannkloben mit Schlüssel Baureihe 103: https://www.ebay.de/itm/322162702756
- Contorion shop — “Reif-Feilkloben 125 mm Turnus”: https://www.contorion.de/
- JBTools — Handfeilkloben 120 mm with a wing nut, Turnus brand
- Trademark registrations of Turnus/Eduard Gottfr. Ferne — DE 607059 (1949), DE 822532 (1963), DE 958032 (1973)
Military Kits and Armourer’s Tools
- Forgotten Weapons, “kleiner Waffenwerkzeugsatz” — a breakdown of the German armourer’s kit: a list of tools and “a portable vise for holding small parts” — https://www.forgottenweapons.com/klienen-waffenwerkzeugatz-a-german-armorers-tool-kit/
- Rock Island Auction, lot 87/3424 — “Großer Waffenmeisterwerkzeugkasten für MG und Handwaffen”, a large Second World War armourer’s chest — https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/87/3424/impressive-german-armorers-tool-chest
- K98k Forum — a discussion of a Waffenmeistergerät made by Mauser Berlin with the “Mod 98” marking and the acceptance mark “26”; also a quotation from a manual with the “Kleiner Waffenmeisterwerkzeugkasten” nomenclature, specification J 26820 — https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/what-is-this-mauser-tool.9782/ and https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/useful-excerpts-about-soldiers-disassembling-k98ks-waffenmeisters-field-reworks.31398/
- Sale listings “MAUSER Hand-Feilkloben” — hand vises with the Mauser mark; “FEILKLOBEN MAUSER SCHRAUBSTOCK aus dem Werkzeugkasten Waffenmeisters MG34” — vises from the armourer’s chest for the MG 34 machine gun. Listings on picclick.de (an eBay archive).
- Militärbestände Schult, listing “Spannkloben, Feilkloben, Schraubstock” — Bundeswehr vises with the NATO number NSN 5120-12-126-1776, condition “neu aus Lagerbestand”. The photograph and description come from the shop’s page — https://www.militaerbestaende-schult.de/Werkzeuge/Spannkloben-Feilkloben-Schraubstock.html
Russia
Collection: contents · Britain · USA · Germany · Russia · France · Switzerland · Sweden · Poland
Russian and Soviet hand vises. Bench, leg, parallel and joiner’s vises were always printed in catalogs and standards alongside hand vises, so the vocabulary of these families is inseparable from that of hand vises.
The main sources are a pre-revolutionary trade catalog of the Moscow trading house “Robert Kents” (Робертъ Кенцъ), the Soviet GOST 28241-89 with drawings and tables, and owners’ accounts: the glavmex.ru forum, the virtual museum of Soviet household technology sovtech.su, and a study of spring clamp vises on histtrudkam.
1. Terminology
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hand vise | a vise held in the hand for fine metalwork |
| leg vise | a bench vise with a hinged (“scissor”) jaw action |
| parallel vise | a vise in which the movable jaw travels parallel to the fixed jaw |
| clamp vise | a vise with a screw clamp instead of a handle |
| wing nut, butterfly nut | a screw with a winged nut — the main clamp of hand vises |
| clamp anvil | a removable or non-removable anvil on the clamping bolt |
2. Historical documents
2.1. Trading house “Robert Kents” (Робертъ Кенцъ), Moscow, catalog, early 20th century
Source: rarebooks.314159.ru
2.2. “N. Fetter and E. Ginkel” (Н. Феттеръ и Е. Гинкель) warehouse, catalog, c. 1915
Scan: archive.org
2.3. I. P. Puzyrev, “Automobile Material” (Автомобильный матеріалъ), price list, 1913
Source: southklad.ru
2.4. Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, article “Vise” (Тиски), 1901
Source: Wikisource
2.5. I. Anuryev, “Metalwork in Rural Life” (Слесарное дело в сельском быту), 1904
Source: NEB
2.6. “Manual for Army Ordnance Workshops. Part I” (Руководство для войсковых оружейных мастерских. Ч. I), 1908
Source: NEB
2.7. GOST 28241-89, “Hand Vises. Specifications” (Тиски ручные. Технические условия), 1989
Source: meganorm.ru
2.8. A selection of hand vises from the thread “History of Bench Vises” (История слесарных тисков), glavmex.ru
Source: glavmex.ru, thread “History of Bench Vises”
2.9. Other documents
- “The Craftsman’s Companion” (Спутник ремесленника), comp. A. Reinbot, St. Petersburg, 1881.
- Stolyarevsky A., “A Practical Guide to Teaching Trades in the Army…” (Практическое руководство к обучению в войсках ремёслам…), St. Petersburg, 1892.
- GOST 7226-54 “Hand Vises” — superseded by GOST 28241-89.
- GOST 7226-72 and GOST 17430-72 — superseded by GOST 28241-89.
3. Flea markets and auctions: living examples
3.1. Meshok (meshok.net)
Meshok, lot 140775375 — hand vise with a small anvil, USSR
Meshok, lot 174558321 — combination hand vises with an anvil, 3 pcs., USSR
Meshok, lot 214589861 — 1942 hand vises from the spare-parts kit of automobiles, WWII
Meshok, lot 224950631 — 1942 hand vises, spare-parts kit of motor vehicles
Meshok, lot 291498782 — small hand clamp vise, cast iron, 44 mm jaws, USSR
Meshok, lot 293671289 — hand clamp vise ChIZ, USSR
Meshok, lot 297662622 — old hand vise, clamp
Meshok, lot 301896264 — old jeweler’s hand vise
Meshok, lot 303773876 — vise for field ordnance workshops, Tula 1928 stamps
Meshok, lot 317446669 — screw clamp, hand vise, stamp, USSR
Meshok, lot 324033129 — hand vise, stamp, pre-revolutionary
Meshok, lot 338597637 — hand vise, stamp of the Kalibr factory
Meshok, lot 338690057 — hand vise to GOST-54
Meshok, lot 338968288 — 17 cm hand vise and other unbranded ones, USSR
Meshok, lot 352981628 — old jeweler’s/watchmaker’s vise, stamp
Meshok, lot 359747277 — hand clamp vise, old, stamp
Hand vises (Meshok, lot 78466288)
Meshok, lot 84671550 — hand clamp vise, old, stamp
3.2. Anumis (anumis.ru)
Anumis, lot 969436 — hand metal vise 15 cm, USSR
Anumis, lot 674971 — hand metal vise 15.5 × 4.3 cm, USSR
Anumis, lot 698421 — hand vise 14.5 cm, USSR
Hand vises, 15 cm. USSR. Lot No. 4983. Auction No. 207.
Anumis, lot 1230301 — hand clamp vise 3.5 × 10 cm, pre-revolutionary
Anumis, lot 1283096 — hand vise 19 cm, USSR
Anumis, lot 1439705 — hand vise “12 cm”, metal, USSR
Anumis, lot 1575440 — jeweler’s hand vise, 3.3 × 12.3 cm
Anumis, lot 1604245 — hand vise for jewelry work, 12.5 cm, USSR
3.3. VIOLITY (violity.com)
VIOLITY — hand vise Mauser (Germany)
VIOLITY — old hand vise attributed to Peugeot
VIOLITY — jeweler’s hand vises, Kalibr factory
VIOLITY — jeweler’s hand vises
Hand vises. Length 132 mm. No. 60.15 (112280138)
Hand vises. Small-sized. No. 67.285 (116659470)
Hand vises. No. 70.250 (119112803)
Hand vises. No. 75.100 (122127765)
Hand vises USSR . Лещата ручні старовинні (122163400)
Hand vises (USSR) (122267890)
Hand vises , USSR (123966622)
Hand vises , USSR (124720369)
Hand vises with a removable anvil. No. 76.294 (124726415)
3.4. Avito, Ay.by, Youla
Avito — hand vises
Avito — hand vises
Ay.by — hand vise, stamp of the Kalibr factory
Ay.by — mini hand clamp vise, 10 cm
Youla — hand vises USSR
3.5. au.ru
Small vises, jeweler’s vises, anvil , clamp for fine work. USSR, used
Hand vises “Butterfly” (Бабочка) USSR, working. (K-ST)
3.6. Livemaster
Metal hand vise with MOON-522 screw
Wooden hand vise with wedge MOON - 587
Vintage: small hand vise with a wing nut - USSR, 1950s-70s
Hand vises of Soviet factories
Source: sovtech.su
Sources
- sovtech.su — “Virtual Museum of Soviet Household Technology”, post “Hand vises” (14.04.2024)
- glavmex.ru — forum thread “History of Bench Vises”, attachments
download/file.php?id=… - histtrudkam.wordpress.com — “Clamp Vises” (Тиски-струбцины) (2024)
- woodcraftsman.ru — thread “Soviet Tool Manufacturers: Quality and Stamps” (Советские производители инструмента: качество и клеймо)
- Living examples: Anumis (lot 4983), au.ru, VIOLITY, Livemaster, linkormet, eBay (lots via mirrors and
i.ebayimg.com) - Reverse image search on two items from a private collection — a selection of photographs of Soviet hand vises (Anumis, au.ru, Avito, FESTIMA, VIOLITY, Livemaster, linkormet, eBay)
France
Collection: contents · Britain · USA · Germany · Russia · France · Switzerland · Sweden · Poland
The French line of hand vises opens with the year 1765 — the earliest documented depiction and name of the tool: «petit étau à main» on the engraved plate of Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie.
From there the line runs steadily: the Encyclopédie’s jewellery-and-watchmaking plate, the blacksmith trade of Montécheroux in the Doubs department, the printed catalogues of Manufrance and of E. Ducommun & Marti, and finally the French column «Etaux à main» in German export catalogues of the mid-20th century.
1. Terminology
| Term | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| étau à main | hand vise | Encyclopédie, Recueil de planches, vol. 4 (1765), Horlogerie, Pl. XVII caption OO: «87. Petit étau à main» |
| sorte de petit étau | «a kind of small vise» — the second hand clamp on the same plate | ibid.: «89. Sorte de petit étau» |
| tenailles à vis | screw pliers; they appear on the same plate next to the hand vise | ibid., fig. 82 |
| filière | die (screw-cutting plate) — the neighbouring item | ibid., fig. 92 |
| support d’étau à main | a stand that turns a hand vise into a bench vise | Manufrance 1935, p. 652, art. 15-2534 |
| étau manuel | hand vise as a class, without mounting to a bench | fr.wikipedia «Étau»: «étau manuel (sans sous-ensemble de fixation sur plan de travail)» |
| Etaux à main | the French column in German export catalogues — next to Feilkloben and Hand vises | Frohn, Exportkatalog Nr. 165 (1950); Lohmann & Co. |
2. Historical Documents
2.1. Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie, «Recueil de planches», vol. 4, Horlogerie, Pl. XVII (OO), 1765
Scan: archive.org
2.2. Bénard (after a drawing by Lucotte), plate «Orfèvre Grossier, Outils», 18th century
Source: Wellcome Collection
2.3. Manufrance, catalogue «Outillage – Quincaillerie», 1935
Scan: archive.org
2.4. E. Ducommun & Marti, company catalogue, after 1928
Source: watch-wiki
2.5. Peugeot, hand vise No. 705 A «lion», catalogue «Les Fils de Peugeot Frères» No. 751, after 1951
Scan: archive.org
2.6. Other Documents
- Robert Frohn Sohn, Remscheid, Exportkatalog Nr. 165 (1950) — the French column «Etaux à main» next to Feilkloben and Hand vises, No. 3000–3024 — archive.org.
- Lohmann & Co., Bremen, catalogue — «Feilkloben, Hand Vices, Etaux à main», No. 350, 351.
- Manufrance, 1973 catalogue — hand vises are no longer in its range.
3. Flea Markets and Auctions
Antique Vintage Hugoniot-Tissot France Jewellers Cast Steel Hand Vice
OUTIL ANCIEN : ETAU A MAIN A VIS DE SERRURIER longueur 10 cm
Ancien Pince Étau à Main Horlogerie Bijouterie Militaire Outil Métier Précision
ÉTAU ANCIEN, ancien étau à main, ancien petit étau, ALVA 100 .
ANCIEN ETAU A MAIN ACIER A VOIR - TRES BON ETAT -
Ancien étau à main – Bijoutier, Serrurier – Acier & Fonte – Début XXᵉ
Lot ancien étau à main établi outil presse outillage fer forgé serre joint
ETAU A MAIN ANCIEN EN METAL
ancien etau a main - outil
Etau a Main SNCF
Ancien petit étau à main
OUTIL ANCIEN FER FORGE ETAU A MAIN BOURRELIER CORDONNIER
AURIFEX étau à main en laiton avec poignée moletée
Petit étau à main n° 272
Étau à main Teschener Toolfabrik PJFa 50 1 pièce
Ancien Etau à Main d’Horloger Bijoutier Relieur Armurier Serrurier ou Ferronnier
JOLI ETAU A MAIN ANCIEN
Sources
- Encyclopédie, Recueil de planches, vol. 4 (1765) — Horlogerie, Pl. XVII (OO) — Internet Archive, Getty copy (NOT_IN_COPYRIGHT)
- Wellcome Collection — «A selection of vices and pliers», Bénard’s engraving after Lucotte — works/qjy57c9q
- Manufrance, Outillage – Quincaillerie (1935) — Internet Archive; the same archive also holds the 1973 catalogue for cross-checking
- watch-wiki — Hugoniot-Perrenoud-Tissot, Hugoniot, Lucien, E. Ducommun & Marti; the same wiki also holds the catalogue «Anciens Établissements E. Ducommun & Marti & E. Marti Successeur», p. 10 (hand vises No. 87–114), p. 18 (pliers), reproduced from G. Nivoix, «La Double-Activité à Montécheroux», 1988
- «Les Fils de Peugeot Frères», Catalogue général N° 751 — section Outillage à main, p. 48: «Étaux à main N° 705 A « lion »»; the terms of sale refer to the SNCF tariff of 24 January 1951 — catalogue on the Internet Archive (112 pp., trade catalogue)
- Robert Frohn Sohn, Exportkatalog Nr. 165 (1950) and Lohmann & Co. — Internet Archive
- eBay — listings with Hugoniot-Tissot hand vises: 256859314520 (photographs from
i.ebayimg.com) - Tooltique — Hugoniot-Tissot hand vises in cast steel: product page
Switzerland
Collection: table of contents · Britain · USA · Germany · Russia · France · Switzerland · Sweden · Poland
Watchmakers’ hand vises were made in the Jura region on both sides of the French-Swiss border — in the villages of the Doubs department and in the cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud.
1. Terminology
| Language | Term | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | Feilkloben | hand vise, literally “file clamp” | de.wikipedia “Feilkloben” |
| German | Stielkloben / Stielfeilkloben | hand vise on a shaft-handle, a precision-mechanical tool | de.wikipedia: “als feinmechanisches Werkzeug mit Halterung Stielkloben” |
| German | Handfeilkloben | a qualifying synonym for hand vise | Geharo 1935, VBW 1929 catalogues (German) |
| German | Spannkloben / Handspannkloben | clamping Kloben, often a synonym for hand vise | Turnus lots “Spannkloben Feilkloben Handspannkloben mit Schlüssel” |
| German | Feilkluppe | wooden hand vise made of two boards | de.wikipedia “Feilkloben” |
| French | étau à main | hand vise | fr.wikipedia “Étau” |
| French | étau de bijoutier / étau à rotule | jeweller’s and ball vises | fr.wikipedia “Étau” |
| Italian | morsetto a mano | hand vise | Italian trade: “Morsetto a mano con manico legno” |
2. Who made them: the Jura region
Watchmakers’ hand vises were not made in Switzerland but right next to it — in the villages of the French Jura, in the Doubs department. This is a single watchmaking region: across the border lies Porrentruy, with La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle and Neuchâtel nearby, and the families of the craftsmen intermarried across the border. The data come from the articles at watch-wiki.org.
Montécheroux, Doubs department. Both firms that made watchmakers’ hand vises worked here. Today it is the Musée de la Pince, the “Pliers Museum”. Photo: Rauenstein, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Hugoniot-Tissot (Montécheroux, then a workshop in Liebvillers)
- 1892 — Lucien Hugoniot (b. 26.12.1839 in Montécheroux, d. 08.07.1900 there) founded the firm; it was later called Hugoniot-Perrenoud-Tissot.
- Lucien’s wives came from Le Locle (Élise Tissot-Daguette, then Marie Élise Pierlet): direct Swiss kin.
- 1926 — the firm employed 143 workers in Montécheroux and 59 in Liebvillers.
- 1958 — the firm is taken over by Peugeot; 1985 — the forges are sold, followed soon by bankruptcy.
- Products: “Zangen und Werkzeuge Hersteller für Uhrmacher” — tools for watchmakers, jewellers, engravers, chasers and opticians. Hand vises of this brand appear under the name “Feilkloben Lucien Hugoniot-Tissot”.
🔗 Sources: Hugoniot-Perrenoud-Tissot, Hugoniot, Lucien.
E. Ducommun & Marti (Montécheroux)
- 1802 — predecessor firm: “Fondée en 1802. E. Ducommun & Marti successeurs”, “Fabrique d’Outils pour Horlogers-Bijoutiers-Quincailliers etc.”.
- 1918 — Ernest Marti, a former accountant at the Hugoniot house, founded the modern factory: “eine moderne Fabrik mit Schmiedemaschinen, Hämmern, Pressen und Fräsmaschinen”.
- 1926 — 97 workers.
- Products: tools for watchmakers, goldsmiths, jewellers, engravers, chasers and opticians.
- Hand vises of this brand have been described and measured: “Feilkloben E. Ducommun & Marti, 10,2 × 5,3 × 3,4 cm, Artikel Nr. 112” — two photos on watch-wiki.
🔗 Source: E. Ducommun & Marti.
3. Flea markets and auctions
Antikes Uhrmacherwerkzeug — Feilkloben Lucien Hugoniot-Tissot
Sources
- watch-wiki: Hugoniot-Perrenoud-Tissot, Hugoniot, Lucien, E. Ducommun & Marti, Musée de la Pince
- eBay lot 257747614037 — Hugoniot-Tissot hand vise
- de.wikipedia “Feilkloben”, fr.wikipedia “Étau”
Sweden
Collection: contents · Britain · USA · Germany · Russia · France · Switzerland · Sweden · Poland
Swedish hand vises are filklove. They are known from an encyclopedia article of the early 20th century with an illustration, from two museum objects in the Livrustkammaren collection (one of them from a gunsmith’s workshop), and from a surviving example made by a tool firm from Eskilstuna.
1. Terminology
The Swedish word for a hand vise is filklove (in the old spelling filklofve: “pincers for a file”, from fil — file and klove — a forked piece of wood, a fork). There is an article about it in “Nordisk familjebok”, the Swedish encyclopedia, where the tool is described in the section on mechanical technology:
«Filklofve, mek. tekn., ett litet skrufstycke, som hålles i handen och tjänar till inspännande af små föremål, som skola bearbetas med fil. Den vanligaste formen å detta verktyg återgifves i vidstående fig. och består af två nedtill medelst charner vridbart förbundna backar med filartadt huggna käftar för arbetsstyckets fasthållande. En skruf med vingmutter tjänar att sammanpressa backarna mot hvarandra, medan den mellanliggande fjädern åtskiljer desamma, när muttern lossas. Understundom förses klofven nedtill med ett längre handtag för att kunna bekvämare skötas.» — “Nordisk familjebok”, article “Filklofve”
Translation: “Filklofve, mech. tech., a small vise that is held in the hand and serves to clamp small objects that are to be worked with a file. The most common form of this tool is shown in the adjacent figure and consists of two jaws joined at the bottom by hinges so as to pivot, with file-like toothed grips for holding the workpiece. A screw with a wing nut presses the jaws against each other, while the spring between them separates them when the nut is loosened. Sometimes the vise is fitted at the bottom with a longer handle so that it can be handled more conveniently.”
Drawing from the article “Filklofve” in “Nordisk familjebok”: two jaws on hinges, a screw with a wing nut and a spring between the jaws. Source: runeberg.org/nfbh/0140.html.
Related words that appear alongside it:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| filklove | hand vise, pincers for working with a file |
| filkloppa | a soft pad (wood, copper, lead) inserted between the jaws of a bench vise so as not to damage the workpiece |
| skrufstycke (modern skruvstycke) | a vise in general; in the encyclopedia’s word list it is to this word that “filklofve” is cross-referenced |
| filklämma, skruvklämma, handskruvstäd | the words Swedish sellers use today to name a hand vise (these were also the search terms used at auctions) |
2. Historical documents
2.1. Livrustkammaren, Filklove, inv. LSH 841
Collection record: emuseumplus.lsh.se · photograph on Commons: Filklove - Livrustkammaren - 841.tif, public domain
2.2. Livrustkammaren, Filklove — skruvstycke, inv. LSH 35262, c. 1900
Collection record: emuseumplus.lsh.se · photograph on Commons: Filklove - skruvstycke - Livrustkammaren - 35262.tif, public domain
3. Who Made Them: Firms
3.1. E. A. Berg, Eskilstuna
A surviving example of a hand vise from this firm is shown in the photographs below.
What is known about the firm (from the Swedish Wikipedia): Erik Anton Berg (1856–1903), a native of Eskilstuna, was apprenticed at the age of 11 to Carl Viktor Heljestrand, and in 1880 he opened his own smithy for making knives. His steel and tool enterprise E. A. Bergs Fabriks AB grew quickly: after 15 years it had more than 60 workers, and by the death of its founder more than 90. The works produced razors, shoemaker’s knives, daggers, pliers, chisels and plane irons; its trademark was a fish (later a shark). In 1959 the firm was bought by Bahco, and the E. A. Berg brand survived until the 1970s–1980s.
4. Flea Markets and Auctions
UNCOMMON E. A. BERG ESKILSTUNA HAND VISE
Sources
- “Nordisk familjebok”, article “Filklofve” (section mek. tekn.) — runeberg.org/nfbh/0140.html; the drawing is from the same source: commons
- Livrustkammaren (Stockholm), object LSH 841 — Filklove: emuseumplus.lsh.se; photograph on Commons: Filklove - Livrustkammaren - 841.tif, public domain
- Livrustkammaren, object LSH 35262 — Filklove — skruvstycke, about 1900, from the workshop of the gunsmith Johan Ring: emuseumplus.lsh.se; photograph on Commons: Filklove - skruvstycke - Livrustkammaren - 35262.tif, public domain
- A surviving example of an E. A. Berg hand vise — at an antique dealer: Ted Dawson Antique Tools
- E. A. Bergs Fabriks AB and its founder — Swedish Wikipedia: Erik Anton Berg
Poland
Collection: contents · Britain · USA · Germany · Russia · France · Switzerland · Sweden · Poland
Hand vises with the PJFa … POLAND mark are covered separately: the mark and the factory.
1. Terminology
| Term | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| imadło | a vise in general: «przyrząd służący do mocowania przedmiotów poddawanych obróbce ręcznej lub mechanicznej», made of two jaws tightened by a screw with a tommy bar. In the 1902 Warsaw dictionary there are two meanings: śrubsztak (bench vise) and «✗ Imacz (tenaculum) — narzędzie szczypcowate do trzymania czegoś, kleszczyki, szczypczyki» (a hand clamp) | pl.wikipedia «Imadło»; Słownik warszawski, t. II, 1902, s. 80 |
| imadło ręczne | a hand vise; the Polish Wikipedia singles out this type directly: «ręczne (trzymane w ręce, a nie mocowane do stołu)» | pl.wikipedia «Imadło» |
| imadełko ślusarskie | a hand vise: in a trilingual glossary of 1873 the German Feilkloben and the French étau à main are rendered this way | Pietraszek, «Przewodnik praktyczny», 1873, s. 605 |
| imadło (śrubsztok) | a vise fastened to the bench: German Schraubstock, French étau | ibid. |
| imadło wielkie | a large vise on a leg: German Fester Schraubstock, French étau à pied | ibid. |
| imadełko | diminutive: «Imadło, śrubsztak, kleszczyki (zdr. Imadełko)»; in the Warsaw dictionary it is a cross-reference to imadło | M. Arct, «Słownik ilustrowany języka polskiego», 1916, vol. 1, p. 440; Słownik warszawski, t. II, 1902, s. 80 |
| kleszczyki | “little pincers” — in Arct’s dictionary it is listed alongside imadło and śrubsztak | ibid. |
| imadło jubilerskie / zegarmistrzowskie | jeweller’s and watchmaker’s vises | trade: oldwatches.pl, narzedziak.pl |
| ścisk | a clamp, a C-clamp; some trade listings with hand vises are also named this way | cooltools.pl: «ściski, takie jak stolarskie kute, śrubowe typu C, sprężynowe oraz zapadkowe» |
| szczęki, pokrętło | jaws, tommy bar (wing nut) | pl.wikipedia «Imadło» |
2. Historical documents
2.1. Jan Pietraszek, «Przewodnik praktyczny dla użytku maszynistów», 1873, s. 605
Scan: Wikiźródła
2.2. Karłowicz, Kryński, Niedźwiedzki (eds.), «Słownik języka polskiego», t. II, 1902, s. 80
Scan: archive.org
2.3. Michał Arct, «Słownik ilustrowany języka polskiego», 1916, vol. 1, p. 440
Scan: Wikiźródła
3. Flea markets and auctions
Allegro Lokalnie
Imadełka małe imadła sciski skrecane imadełka ręczne
Imadło ślusarskie ręczne
Ręczne Imadło ślusarskie PRL- lata 50/60 te.
stare imadło ręczne prl ścisk kowalski pjfa 63 poland solidne
OLX.pl
Imadełko modelarskie plus imadełko ręczne
Imadełko reczne ścisk ręczny ślusarski
Imadełko ręczne dla majsterkowicza
Imadełko ręczne z nakrętka motylkową 100mm
Imadło ręczne Inst.200
imadło ręczne z kowadełkiem
Imadło ręczne ścisk sprężynowy
Imadło ręczne ścisk z czasów PRL
Imadło ręczne, ścisk
Stare imadło ręczne PJFa PRL ściski
Ścisk Kowalski imadło ręczne retro zabytek
Imadelka Ręczne 4 sztuki Prl
Stare imadełko ręczne/ścisk
Imadełko rusznikarskie do MG
Zabytkowe ręczne imadełko
Sprzedajemy.pl
Imadło małe uchwyt imadełko ręczne ręczny ścisk Sokółka
mały uchwyt imadło imadełko ścisk Dąbrówka Duża
Stare Imadło Ręczne Zacisk Szczebrzeszyn
Stary ścisk (zacisk, imadełko) zabytkowe solidne Szczecin
Sources
- pl.wikipedia, «Imadło» — definition, types, the division into metalworking and woodworking vises
- Jan Pietraszek, «Przewodnik praktyczny dla użytku maszynistów i ich pomocników na drogach żelaznych», 1873, s. 605 — a glossary of terms with German and French equivalents — Wikiźródła
- Słownik języka polskiego (Karłowicz–Kryński–Niedźwiedzki), t. II, 1902, s. 80 — the entries «Imadło» and «Imadełko» — archive.org
- M. Arct, «Słownik ilustrowany języka polskiego», Warszawa, 1916, vol. 1, p. 440 — the entry «Imadło» with an illustration — Wikiźródła
- Scans for the illustrations — Wikimedia Commons: M. Arcta słownik ilustrowany, vol. 1, illustration for the entry «Imadło», Przewodnik praktyczny, 1873; all are in the public domain
- Live examples from flea markets: Allegro Lokalnie, OLX.pl, Sprzedajemy.pl — lots with sellers’ photographs
Poland: the “PJFa … POLAND” mark and the works
Collection: contents · Britain · USA · Germany · Russia · France · Switzerland · Sweden · Poland · PJFa
Hand vises carrying the PJFa mark are forged, with a recessed frame on the handle stamped with the model designation, the quality mark and the word POLAND. They come in sizes 40, 50 and 63 — the jaw width in millimetres.
The designation “PJFa” is a product type, not the brand of a single factory. The same family of designations (PJWg, PJWk, PJWK, PJWT, PJWp) occurs at several Polish factories, and the letter after “PJ” refers to the version: a — hand-forged, W with a following letter — bench.
1. The Mark
The mark is stamped inside a recessed rectangle and consists of three parts: on the left and on the right a quality mark, a triangle with the numeral “1” (first grade of quality); in the middle the model designation with the jaw width; after the mark on the right the inscription POLAND, that is, the export version.
2. The Factory
The manufacturer was Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi (CEFANA), in the town of Cieszyn (Silesian Voivodeship). The factory descends from the firm Rajmund Kisling i Gustaw Skrobanek, Fabryka Maszyn, Odlewnia Żeliwa i Metali, registered in Cieszyn in 1936.
Vises were among the factory’s first products: even before the war it made hand grinders and drilling machines, vises (imadła), sheet-metal shears, field forges and scale weights. After the war the factory was nationalised and returned to its former profile, and in May 1948 it received the name Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi; alongside the production of hand grinders and drills it began making hand tools for craftsmen — pliers, nippers and wrenches, a significant part of which went for export. From 1959 the factory made hand-held electric drills. It belonged to Zjednoczenie Przemysłu Narzędziowego as a state enterprise and was the lead plant of the PONAR-FANA combine, and in 1972 it became part of Fabryki Maszyn Elektrycznych “Celma” as Plant No. 2.
Documentary evidence:
- The Waterworks Museum in Bydgoszcz (Muzeum Wodociągów), «Obiekt tygodnia – 31.01.2025 r.»: «Fabryka wytwarzała m.in. szlifierki i wiertarki o napędzie ręcznym, imadła, nożyce do cięcia blach, kuźnie polowe oraz odważniki do wag», and further: «fabrykę znacjonalizowano i przywrócono do pierwotnego profilu działalności, jednocześnie zmieniając jej nazwę na Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi CEFANA» — muzeum.mwik.bydgoszcz.pl
- PortalNarzedzi.pl, «Celma – historia polskich elektronarzędzi»: «W maju 1948 roku firma otrzymała nową nazwę – Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi. … rozpoczęto wytwarzanie ręcznych narzędzi rzemieślniczych: szczypiec, obcęgów i kluczy» — portalnarzedzi.pl
- pl.wikipedia, «Zjednoczenie Przemysłu Narzędziowego»: in the list of subordinate enterprises — «Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi — przedsiębiorstwo państwowe wyodrębnione — Cieszyn» (Source: Monitor Polski 1948 nr 83 poz. 863) — pl.wikipedia.org
- Record card for the act establishing the enterprise «Utworzenie przedsiębiorstwa państwowego pod nazwą Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi» (Monitor Polski 1948 A-83-867) — prawo.pl
- «Peerel po Cieszyńsku (odc.13)»: «Kombinatem Narzędzi Zmechanizowanych i Rzemieślniczych PONAR-FANA, w którym Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi CEFANA pełni funkcję zakładu wiodącego» — wiadomosci.ox.pl
- The Cieszyn Silesia Museum (news archive cieszyn.pl): «Po wojnie spadkobierczynią znacjonalizowanego zakładu stała się CEFANA (Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi)» — archiwum.cieszyn.pl
The attribution of the model is given directly by the lot’s seller: «wyprodukowane w okresie PRL przez Cieszyńską Fabrykę Narzędzi (późniejsza Cefana). … Model: PJFa 63 … Kraj produkcji: POLAND. Znak jakości: Wybity trójkąt z cyfrą 1». There is as yet no independent second source specifically for the “PJFa” designation; for the factory itself the evidence above comes from museum and industry publications.
3. The “PJ…” designation family
The same designation occurs at different factories in Poland — according to sellers’ descriptions at flea markets:
| Designation | Version | Factory |
|---|---|---|
| PJFa 40 / 50 / 63 | hand-forged | Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi (CEFANA), Cieszyn |
| PJWg-80 | bench, mounted to a workbench | Krakowskie Zakłady Przemysłu Maszynowego Leśnictwa, Zawichost |
| PJWk-80 | bench | Zakład Maszyn i Urządzeń Usługowych, Głowno (WUTEH) |
| PJWK-100 / 150, PJWT-80 | bench, swivel | Białystok, Fabryka Przyrządów i Uchwytów (later BISON-BIAL) |
| PJWp-63 | bench, swivel, patternmaker’s | — |
4. Lots
stare imadło ręczne prl ścisk kowalski pjfa 63 poland solidne
Forged hand vise PJFa 63, jaw width 63 mm, weight 1390 g. The mark sits in a recessed frame on the handle: quality mark, “PJFa 63”, quality mark, “POLAND”.
The same seller also listed this vise on OLX: stare imadło ręczne prl ścisk kowalski pjfa 63 poland solidne.
Komplet starych imadel warsztatowych
A set of two vises, one of them a PJFa 50 with the mark in photo 8: «Rzadkie polskie imadło kute PJFa 50 (PRL) … Sygnowane (oryginalne oznaczenie PN PJFa 50). Szerokość szczęk: 50 mm».
Other lots with the PJFa designation
- ręczne imadło spawalnicze PRL PJFa50 Poland — hand vise PJFa 50, POLAND
- Stare imadło ręczne PJFa PRL ściski — hand vise PJFa (the lot on the Poland page)
Sources
- Muzeum Wodociągów, Bydgoszcz — «Obiekt tygodnia – 31.01.2025 r.»: the factory’s history from Kisling & Skrobanek to CELMA, vises in the product list — muzeum.mwik.bydgoszcz.pl
- PortalNarzedzi.pl — «Celma – historia polskich elektronarzędzi»: the 1948 renaming, hand tools for craftsmen from 1954 — portalnarzedzi.pl
- pl.wikipedia — «Zjednoczenie Przemysłu Narzędziowego»: the list of the industry’s state enterprises (Monitor Polski 1948 nr 83 poz. 863) — pl.wikipedia.org
- Monitor Polski 1948 A-83-867 — «Utworzenie przedsiębiorstwa państwowego pod nazwą Cieszyńska Fabryka Narzędzi» — prawo.pl
- wiadomosci.ox.pl — «Peerel po Cieszyńsku (odc.13)»: CEFANA as the lead plant of the PONAR-FANA combine — wiadomosci.ox.pl
- The Cieszyn Silesia Museum (cieszyn.pl news archive): CEFANA as the successor of the nationalised factory — archiwum.cieszyn.pl
- pl.wikipedia — «Cieszyn»: “Cefana” among the town’s factories — pl.wikipedia.org
- Flea markets with surviving examples: Allegro Lokalnie, OLX.pl — sellers’ photographs