This is an old vise I got from my dad who bought it in an auction.

The markings on the castings are:

Charles Parker Co 
Meriden, CT

No 203 

Patented
Nov 22 1910

It has a swivel base.  A thread about a similar vise is found here (same company, fixed base)
http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/printthread.php?t=2471&pp=10

The acme rod has a spring around it that doesn't allow the vise to close all the way (stuck open at about 2", opens to around 7")

Anyone have any information on a vise like this?