Jump to content

Thompson Vise


Recommended Posts

hello!...recently i bought a vice which was claimed to be used for the thompson machine gun..it is a horizontal design ,about 20" long, gray colored and has embossed on the sides the words "V-500"

and 'THOMPSON VICE"...can someone confirm this and a value for it if possible...thanks, OBOTLS

Link to comment
Share on other sites

obotls,

 

I'd like to see a picture to confirm, but there is a vise such as you describe that has nothing at all to do with a Thompson Submachine Gun. I saw one on eBay about 6 years ago, and it ended up being purchased by a Thompson collector on speculation that it might be associated with the weapon. It was not. I believe it is has something to do with tire installation.

 

If your device is not what I have described, and has a Thompson bullet logo on it, and is marked, "Auto-Ordnance Corp, Greenwich, Conn.," that is a diffferent story. There was a branch of Auto-Ordnance during WWII that made milling tools and jigs, including a vise-type milling fixture. I don't think that's what you have, though.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

mnshooter,

 

That edition is online at the following link:

 

http://www.nfatoys.com/tsmg/tcn/default.htm

 

That was a letter that was sent in by a member, and the real purpose for the vise was not known at the time. The pictures from the newsletter are kind of fuzzy. I know I have a picture of the one from eBay, but I think it's on another computer. Let me see if I can find it.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 13 years later...

I found "Leg Vises" as the reference for the Patent, no other details found yet.  Certainly not for a Thompson submachine gun when the patents were late 1800's.

 

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=12322&tab=7

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’m not an expert, but from what you’re describing it sounds like one of those old shop vices that sometimes get confused with firearm tools. The “Thompson Vice” name shows up now and then, but most collectors say it was more of a general-purpose machinist’s vice, not something made specifically for the Thompson.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...