Finally , a Commander Hammertone pic!!

[crevicetool]

Not fond of spagetti.....

But with a tubing chart and a test roll, could end up loving it!!I have a cd of Gershwin playing Rhapsody in Blue when he recorded (I think a three roll) Duo-Art performance!!!Fantastic!!!

 

[compactelectra]

Dave

I got the earlier Ken Kart from Kenny Smith in Indiana. I don't know how he finds these machines in such pristine condition. Here is a shot of the Dual 50 I got from him.

 

[compactelectra]

The Original Ad

For the Ken Kart.

 

[aeoliandave]

Wanted to mention, Fred, that I really like your low pile carpet choices. Especially enamoured of that rich looking Forest/Emerald Green with the brown gold (?) flecks. I need to replace all the wall to wall in the first floor rooms and have been leaning toward that green for the livingroom & piano rooms.

 

[crevicetool]

That Kirby

Looks just great!!! I started (this time) collecting vacuums--but only a few "representative" styles, a couple Lux's, a Rexair, maybe a Universal. Was not going to get a Kirby---I don't like this addiction. I will be looking for a Kirby starting tomorrow. What the hell? It's only one more!!!

 

[charles~richard]

That's really interesting. My brown Commander has a polished aluminum "nose cone" and the body is brown but it's not hammertone, it's a metallic, almost coppery-looking brown. I believe this model was introduced in 1939 and sold until the mid 1950s when the Ken-Kart type was restyled. So I guess there would have been quite a lot of variations on it. I forgot to mention, I have also seen a dark-brown 'wrinkle finish' version as well.

It's surprising this model was sold for so long and was so popular, given its relatively wimpy suction. With the filter just behind the bag, the airflow is already restricted; once the rear-filling bag starts getting loaded with dirt the suction drops dramatically.

I do love the sound of the motor.

 

[hygiene903]

Kenmores

Nice looking Kenmores, guys. But I'm starting to wonder, am I the only one that has the one with the burgandy nose cone, handle, and trim? Seems everyone else has the ones before or after mine. Also, does anyone have a silver/gray one? I'm not sure, but I think they were the first.
Charles, I think the reason they sold so well for a machine that didn't perform any better than they did was because back then, just like now, there were people who bought EVERYTHING from Sears. They just assumed that since their Coldspot refrigerator, Silvertone radio, and Homart furnace were excellent performers that a Kenmore vacuum would be, too. Used to be people had that same kind of blind loyalty with Monkey Wards too, but of course they aren't around anymore.
And I also love that "prrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeen" sound the Kenmore makes when you fire it up, although it used to startle me when I was about 3 years old!
Jeff

 

[charles~richard]

I have a maroon Commander-on-a-cart. The body is light maroon and the "nose cone" and trim are dark maroon, as are the attachments. Also has a maroon cord.