23 in tall handle extendedThis vintage industrial hand-operated lever press was manufactured by the Maxant Button & Supply Co. of Chicago, Illinois. The machine is constructed with a heavy cast-iron frame and a long steel lever handle designed for manual compression. The frame features cast-in identification marks including MAXANT CHICAGO on one side and BANNER BRAND on the opposite side. The designation M-39 is cast into the front edge of the base. This type of press was traditionally utilized in the textile, upholstery, and garment industries for covering buttons or setting grommets and rivets. The base is designed with integrated mounting holes for permanent bench-top installation. The plunger mechanism is actuated by a cam-style lever pivoting on a pin secured by a cotter clip.