Bench vice for enfields and other rifles

[tbonesmith]

Hi guys, I wondered if anyone has a picture of an armourers bench vice used to hold enfields and other rifles while they're being worked on(fully assembled)? If there is such a specific item. I saw something of the sort in a little movie posted on this site RE the manufacture of the Model 1917, but there was only a second or so of it.
Only reason I ask is I'd like to make something to do the job, and am looking for authentic inspiration.
Many thanks!

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[Thunderbox]

The original....!

[drweiler]

And great photos here: ARMOURER'S TOOLS Page 1

[bouletbill]

I remember special portable rifle vices with curved jaws that could be clamped to a bench or a stout marquee pole (late 60's). Always wanted one, seem to be very rare now. I suspect they were private purchase for the range boys. Doubt if HMG would've sanctioned funding for special rifle clamps when there were armouries full of Victorian blacksmiths vices like the one above.

[Surpmil]

The original....!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...95752691-1.jpg

The charger guide on the bolt head would mean this photo was taken 1905-1907, am I right?

The bench looks like it has a good 50 years of use behind it already.

I wonder how many rifles they did in a day.

[8udr]

"I remember special portable rifle vices with curved jaws that could be clamped to a bench or a stout marquee pole (late 60's)."
An old Parker Hale catalogue I have says these were for Safaris

[Roy]

I love that photo! It looks a bit like my bench when im putting one together. Though I use a wood vise rather than that massive stirrup vice, which interestingly has what looks like a big set of wooden tweezers set into the jaws as to not damage the wood and fore volley sight which is clamped over, would a armourer do this? To the left there is a barrel which I would expect to be where the actions are assembled or wold one man assemble the whole rifle from start to finish? I would expect it to be a bit more of a production line. Perhaps this photo is staged.

Restorers bench 2011 Wellington. Final fit for 1907 No1 Mk1* and its stable mates prepard for a winter oiling.

[Peter Laidler]

There were still old Armourers shops with benches like this during the 60's and 70's, especially at the old Base Workshops. The Technical stores underneath the benches held more valuables than the Ordnance technical stores

[Demo]

I love that photo! It looks a bit like my bench when im putting one together. Though I use a wood vise rather than that massive stirrup vice, which interestingly has what looks like a big set of wooden tweezers set into the jaws as to not damage the wood and fore volley sight which is clamped over, would a armourer do this? To the left there is a barrel which I would expect to be where the actions are assembled or wold one man assemble the whole rifle from start to finish? I would expect it to be a bit more of a production line. Perhaps this photo is staged.

Restorers bench 2011 Wellington. Final fit for 1907 No1 Mk1* and its stable mates prepard for a winter oiling.

Looks like some nice old guns in that lot Roy.

[Warren]

I believe this is the vise bouletbill was talking about. Out of the bowels of "the shed" (tm). The vise is a Parker Hale range vise and marked BISLEY.....mine still has both the tent pole clamps and the wooden table top clamp wooden pad.
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