FRANKLIN SUPREME Redux

[electrolux137]

I decided to spruce up the FRANKLIN SUPREME vacuum cleaner I found a while back. Turns out it was a budget model sold by Sears-Roebuck. It's definitely a Birtman product as you will hear in the video.

It's really a pretty ugly thing, actually. Not much to commend itself in terms of design and style.

http://www.1377731.com/0000000/franklin.supreme.mp4

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

It's definitely not a looker. It's basically a rectangular box with rounded edges. It does sound pretty stout though with. A cloth hose and good bearings with no noise when powered off.
It sounds good from I'm guessing early 40s vacuum but definitely not winning any fashion show.

 

[huskyvacs]

All the charm and design provenance of a garbage can. lol

That is a fascinating little cleaner. I suspect it probably was sold as a budget model due to not being so flashy and stylish. Or maybe for commercial use in an office.

Very cool unit, probably the only one that will be seen here for a very long time. I've certainly never seen one.

 

[vacmadman]

Sears catalog

Here is a picture of the 1942 Sears catalog add for the FRANKLIN SUPREME.

 

[lesinutah]

Woah

Thanks for the pic that's a great find.
I was spot on with my early 40's guess on the age of the vacuum.

 

[beevac]

ATTACHMENTS ON THE FRANKLIN SUPREME

Iam a Birtman specialist & the attachments in the color picture are for later models. The rug nozzle you have with this machine didn't get introduced until 1949 on the 116.730 Commander Kenmore. I own this model. The cleaning tools shown in the catalog are the right ones.

 

[beevac]

ATTACHMENTS ON THE FRANKLIN SUPREME

Iam a Birtman specialist & the attachments in the color picture are for later models. The rug nozzle you have with this machine didn't get introduced until 1949 on the 116.730 Commander Kenmore. I own this model. The cleaning tools shown in the catalog are the right ones.

 

[lesinutah]

Hmm

What kind of birt can't fly.
The answer is a jail birt.
Wow we have a 1942 article showing a 1949 attachment.
Birtman are you using the DeLorean again?

 

[kirbylux77]

Wow....very nice find Charles! Nice to see it in great shape, hear the PREEEEENNNN the Birtman motor makes, and also to see the Sears Catalog photo of it. So much for it being entry level like we all thought eh?!

I actually like the look of it....it is plain, but still very stylish and very 1940's.

 

[beevac]

Kirbylux

Hey man stop messing with me.

 

[kirbylux77]

Stephen, nobody is messing with you! I only made positive comments in this thread....no need for you to accuse me of negativity. Contrary to popular belief, I am NOT all that negative like some of the Vacuum Queens on this site think I am.

 

[vacmadman]

Stephen,

Just for the record, I happen to have a copy of the 1949 Sears spring catalog. pictured is a Kenmore model 722 tank-type. There is no mention of it being called the
"Commander Kenmore" The 722 did come with a "Deluxe 15-piece attachment set"

Jim

Side note: Les, Stephen was talking about one tool the rug nozzle in Charlie's picture that did not come with the Franklin Supreme in 1942. He did not say the Franklin Supreme didn't come with tools, just that one tool in Charlie's picture. I hope this clears up the misunderstanding. [this post was last edited: 5/18/2024-11:32]

 

[lesinutah]

Thanks

Vacmadman for clearing that up.
Kirbyblux is a blow hard.
I try to bring a comedic approach. He shows up pretending he knows everything.
I just reread an old thread ehere he replied to my post.
I joke and try to help.
Luxy walks around with his sniffer in his tooter.

 

[vacmadman]

Commander Kenmore

There is a Commander Kenmore 116.730 for sale on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3557186257...yDXa3gn9N2xLNfRkoolJmKZrFYBBWKl1sKm1ZDkS3Hpta