<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>c83335exv99w1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


         CHICAGO RIVET & MACHINE CO. ANNOUNCES 4TH QUARTER AND YEAR END EARNINGS
Naperville, IL, February 27, 2004 Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. (Amex, symbol:
CVR) today announced results for the fourth quarter and full year 2003 as
summarized below:


                           CHICAGO RIVET & MACHINE CO.
                  SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31

<Table>
<Caption>
                                      FOURTH QUARTER                       YEAR
                                ----------------------------    ----------------------------
                                        (UNAUDITED)                     (AUDITED)

                                    2003            2002            2003            2002
                                ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Net sales and lease revenue     $ 9,116,759     $10,290,572     $38,190,908     $43,012,766
Income before income taxes          192,234         984,355       1,242,527       3,961,075
Net income                          125,234         641,355         817,527       2,604,075
Net income per share                    .13             .66             .85            2.69
Average shares outstanding          966,132         966,132         966,132         966,537
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>
Contacts:
         Kimberly A. Kirhofer or John C. Osterman
         Chicago Rivet & Machine Co.
         (630) 357-8500


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>