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To me the first 'Kirby" was the Model C in 1934 before that it was the "Scott Fetzer" company. Yes they were designed by James Kirby, but they were not Kirby's by name, and did not go by the Kirby company as they do now. So as such the first Kirby came out in 1934 making the 1984 the true 50th...

I believe the DS50 came out in 1965 the DS80 came out in 1968 it had the 50 for 65 and the 80 for 68, they were model numbered much like the model numbers of the 500 series. Jim

WOW!! David, She looks fantastic just like new. You do wonderful work. I hope to add one of these in my collection someday. They do come up for sale from time to time. Thanks for sharing! Jim

Thank you! David, Thanks so very much for creating this wonderful website. This is a greatly needed source of information for any Kirby lover, and collector. The pictures and other resources are fantastic. I love the Bags Bags Bags page. You have truly out done yourself here. Your friend...

Fan removal tool You can still buy the Kirby fan removal tool on eBay. If you like working on old Kirby's this is a great tool to have. Jim...

Wow David, I just sat down to note that same thought! One thing you and I share in spades is a real passion for these Kirby's, and that's a good thing. Every one of them has their own unique history. Have a good night my friend. Jim

Nothing like a good debate (o: David, I will except what you're saying as fact, but Kirby is not the best record keeper to say the least. According to what I have "heard" to Kirby the 511 was never made, because of the Korean war, but we do know that's not true. I also again "believe" if that...

David, So based on these pictures and your comments, you're telling me that Kirby went from the black handle grip on the 505 to a grey handle grip, with the 508 and 509 then back to the black handle grip? Do I got that right?? I'm willing to bet that the way it went down was after the...

agree to disagree. David, If all Kirby's from 505 through 512 had the black handle grip they would hands down, be the most common grip out there. The grey 509 handle grips were made of the inferior metical you speak of (pictured) not the 505. The 510 was the first grey rubber handle grip. As I...

Kirby handle grips Ben, I grew up working in my dad's vacuum shops seeing a lot of Kirby's come and go. Having said that, I never had or remember seeing the 505 black handle grips. I did however remember seeing many grey handle grips on 510's 511's and so on. If the handle grips on these...

Very cool! David, I have no doubt they will both look better than new when your done. Take lots of pictures as you go. I would love to know the serial number of your model C, as it appears to be set up the same as mine. Pictured is my ID tag serial number 124242 Jim

513 The 513 was the first with the push on off switch. Jim

Fantastic! David, Your work is truly inspirational, it looks fantastic indeed. I also love the camera angle....nice. Jim

David, First the 1 does not define an early C from a later C. You can certainly go by what "you consider" to be a 1C, but most collectors commonly call the model C with the light the 1C. I have never heard anyone say anything about the housing vents to describe a 1C. You have shown to be very...

spare parts Here is a picture of my Kirby belt cap and belt lifters. Jim

splitting hears David, Maybe you and I are splitting hears here but, the fact is there never was a Kirby model 1C. All the model Cs with the light were "called" 1C's but you will not find a 1C on any Kirby ID tag. All Kirby C's with or without the light were ID'd as model Cs Therefore Mine...

1st 1C's So apparently my Kirby 1C was indeed one of the first to come off the assembly line with the Kirby C housing with the half circle vents, and the first C nozzle, and the first Kirby brass belt cap. When it comes to Kirby's very little is written in stone. Jim

1C Yep, My Kirby 1C has the half circle vents. Jim

WOW!! Kyle, Simply gorgeous...gorgeous.....gorgeous!!! Jim

Nice! You've done a great job. That's a good looking 2C indeed. Jim