1918
Charles Parker Co., which made a variety of metal products since its founding in 1832, was one of the leading U. S. vise manufacturers. Parker's vise brands included Davenport, Vulcan, Victor, and Hall's Patent Sudden Grip. In 1957 the firm was sold to Union Manufacturing Co., New Britain, CT. Union moved vise production to New Britain where it had a large foundry. In late 1984, Union began closing divisions before selling the remainder of Parker to Scovill Inc. of Waterbury, CT.
The
Hall's Patent Sudden Grip was invented by Thomas Hall, who had them made by Charles Parker Co. beginning in 1875. They were sold by both Hall and Parker.
Garage Journal has a considerable amount of information and photographs of Parker vises. Links to some of these were complied by Todd Werts, and which we reproduce here.
Vises of Garage Journal Monster Thread Links:
Lettered Series:
2 Digit Series
100 Series
200 Series
300 Series:
400 Series:
500 Series
800 Series:
900 Series:
X,000 Series
Other Models:
Information Sources