Nice find!! Looks like a Columbian. I really like these old vises. Yery handy tool to have!! I have like 12 last time I checked?? Its a sickness that I can not cure...I must have more!!! They were made to last forever as long as you don't abuse it. ie.. beat on the handle, put a big old pipe on the handle as a "cheater bar" or use the back as an anvil.
Looks like someone already did on yours:(. It also looks like the front jaw is missing, bummer.. If you can, take the back jaw off, take it to a machine shop and see if they can make a new set. If I had my shaper going I would make you a new set for nothing.. A new set of jaws on a vise makes all the difference in the world. Then you can really get a grip on things. There is no US manufacturers that still make vises here, that I know of, they are all made in China.
Fix up that sucker, treat it right, and it will last forever!! To clean it, use a wire wheel on a side grinder but you will want to ware a mask. it gets very dusty, rust dust is nasty stuff, yuck!, when your done spray it with a little wd40 and whipe it down. Personally I like my vises unpainted, I like the industrial look..
I'm gonna try and post a pic of some of my vises, hope it works....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1233911...n/photostream/