Is there a Parker Bros. hammergun here?

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by Ronald Scott

Interesting way to mount a post vice. A blacksmith would attach the post to the ground or to a block of wood on the ground so that it would absorb heavy hammer blows. That's the purpose of the leg. I suppose a repair gunsmith wouldn't need the vice for that purpose -- and back in the day you used what you had.

After using one for the past 25+ years I'm not sure I agree with you on the reason for the "leg". Vises in general are not intended to hold something that is going to be hammered on hard enough for the vise itself to need vertical stabilization. That's what anvils are for. They are, however, called upon to hold things that are filed, bent, or otherwise "coerced" in a horizontal or lateral direction. The long leg gives tremendous support to the vise to prevent horizontal and lateral movement. JMHO.
SRH