eBay Auction: Kirby 511 Tool Cabinet

[paul]

I'm not the seller and don't know who it is, but due to its rarity and a little-known way to determine Kirby Tool Cabinets' original cleaner companions of the 1950s I thought I'd post this thread.

The way to figure out a tool cabinet's original model companion if you aren't familiar with the logo changes &/or the cabinet's pattern or color is to look at the circular manufacturer's certification stamp on the back. The last two digits of the year of manufacture are slightly magnified.

In later years the cabinets do not contain the stamp, but by that time the model name or related graphic took out the guesswork.

Here are some photos of the cabinet from the listing along with the link to the auction:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/352645312748?ul_noapp=true

 

[madman]

Oh that's neat. 'Help U.S. Mobilize' Was this a wartime box? it says 1951, perhaps based on the '51' written on the box. I suppose it could be the Korean war. Would probably make more sense, as I doubt Kirby was making vacs during WW2.

Very interesting, anyway.

 

[lesinutah]

Hence

The 1950 era 511 box. I've seen the box it's a nice set.
Les

 

[kirby519]

True Kirby suspended producing vacuums during W.W.II. Production resumed at the end of the war. Scott and Fetzer the company manufacturing Kirby vacuums went in to munitions production for the war effort.

 

[lesinutah]

Madmen

Did you hear about the operation clean world. It was top secret. Italy, Germany and Japan got it good. They sent b57 bombers over and dropped vacuums. Hoover royal Kirby eureka interstate all American vacuums. We sent messages with candy bar drops. Vacuum your floors you filthy animals. That's why no WW2 vacuums
Could you imagine the insanity. Those vacuums could have jilled people. Oh the humanity very cruel.
Les

 

[tolivac]

During the war Sctott&Fetzer also made flare guns and flares.

 

[kirby519]

During the war effort. Metal items were being melted down to produce war materials. One can only imagine how many unused vacuums as well as other appliances and items were lost.