Kirby Model 4C

[mivintagevacs]

Jim, do you have a NOS belt cover that you are basing this info on? Wouldn’t it be possible that they dull and fade over the years? I am certain that this was never painted because it was owned and used by a single jewelry store for its entire lifetime. It was never owned by another collector.

 

[mivintagevacs]

Here’s another close up photo of it.

 

[vacmadman]

Belt cap

Ben,

I'm basing it on what I have seen over the years of restoring these old Kirby's and the pictures should prove that. Do you find it interesting that the rest of your Kirby shows some age, but yet the belt cap looks very new in comparison. I could be wrong. Maybe our friend David can help us out here?

Never the less you have a wonderful 4C that any collector would love to have in their collection.

Jim

 

[mivintagevacs]

All good Jim I totally understand where you’re coming from. One thing I noticed is that when I found this vac it was set up as a canister and the rug nozzle looked like it had barely been used. Take a look at the photo showing the bottom of the nozzle. The chrome center portion has very little wear. My theory is that this machine was used almost exclusively as a canister at the store. There was an old Hoover upright that was used there as well. If the nozzle stayed in the box most of its life, it would have been preserved.

 

[odavid123]

Jim , when it was new the Kirby logo was semi gloss and faded overtime , the gray was more of a white at one point.as well .
Ben ,
This 4C is pretty complete and from the look of the bag it was kept away from the sun. Regardless it’s a beautiful unit .

 

[lesinutah]

Umm

I love how photos are rotated and reordered
I attached front and back of my 505 original belt cap, NOS belt cap and 505 belt lifters. I'll let you use your imagination.
Yours should look like my used 505 belt cap. My 505 should be from late 1945 but I've not opened up the machine and checked. I only put because I know belt caps are original to 1c- 1945 505s.
I'd say some people know alot but think they know everything. I'd like to think I know alot but not everything. I'm not talking about Jim. Jim knows quite a bit too.
I hope the pics help.

 

[lesinutah]

Holy cow

Fronts

 

[mivintagevacs]

I respect all of your opinions but I’m still fairly certain that this machine is 100% original. Again this was a single family owned vacuum used in a family owned business. The person I bought it from was the daughter of the owner who grew up in the store and I met her in the old store to pick it up. It was set up as a canister and there were two Hoover uprights that were used in the store as well. Nobody at the store cared enough about this machine to do a cosmetic restoration of the belt cap. I think David is correct that these were semi gloss when they were new. I do appreciate the discussion and interest though!

 

[lesinutah]

You

Think it could be NOS non original. You better ask David if the OD of the belt caps ever changed since his opinion fits what you want to hear.
Just because the man speaks it's not gospel.
His opinion is opinion not facts. Assuming u already know. If Jim's theory or opinion doesn't fit yours does that mean he's wrong, nope. It doesn't mean he's right. Believe whose opinions you choose but don't wear rose colored glasses from skewing judgement.

 

[mivintagevacs]

No Les, I think it’s original to the vacuum period. I think it’s in near new old stock condition for reasons stated above. Jim could be right but he could also be wrong. If you want to go on believing flat paint was used that’s fine. Given the known history of this machine I’d say David’s opinion is correct.

 

[lesinutah]

Yes

Opinions are stupid things to argue about.
I'm happy ypublove your machine it's in great shape.
Enjoy.

 

[vacmadman]

Thanks

David,

Thank you for chiming in. These old Kirby's are still a learning in progress. Thanks for clearing this up, I stand corrected, thanks again.

Jim