I don't know how rare that vice would have been 50 to 60 years ago But I'll wager that today it is a rare duck indeed
from the extra long movable jaw support to the 4 bolt mounting to the precision bore and housing that vice screams heavy duty high quality.
If it were to be mounted on a pedestal to get full advantage of its strength and durability the base would need to be at least a 22.5 tubeless budd truck rim with an 8 or 10 inch heavy pipe welded to it and a 3/4" thick top mounting plate then the whole thing should be filled with concrete or have a plate welded to the bottom of the rim then oil soaked fine sand and pea gravel packed inside. A vice like that is worthy of a 500 + lb mounting pedestal.
I don't know nor is it any of my business what you paid for it, but I thought I had cut a fat hog yesterday at an auction when I bought a 42 inch wide format HP designjet 500 printer for lees than a steak dinner would cost. No matter what you paid for it you not only cut the hog but processed it into bacon, chops, sausage, and smoked the hams at once.
If it functions well as it is I wouldn't restore it, keep it as is except for possibly tightening up the screw if need be. it'll be worth tons more money 10 20 or 30 years from now
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