Kirby Utility Model H

[nomad121]

Kirby Model H

I have a Kirby Model H S/N 201873 looking for info on manufacture dates. I have talked to someone at the Company but they were unaware of this model. It is all original, even the bag and the cord and it still works, should I clean and polish it or does that hurt the value?
Is there any where that I can approximate its value? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[dysonman1]

If the hand vac says "Kirby Utility" on it, it was produced right alongside the Model C, 1C, 2C, etc. It did not come back after the break for World War II.

If it says Vacuette Jr., it was made alongside the Vacuette Electric and the Scott and Fetzer Sanitation System.

 

[nomad121]

It's definatly a "utility". Just talked to someone at Kirby they told me there was no such model and that they never built a handheld. Obviously they don't know their Kirby history. Is there a market for this kind of item?

 

[jrdavis]

now thats talent

DaveVac- thats some awesome talent your wife has. and you have awesome luck- being you just starting on vacs and already found something this awesome and rare.

 

[davevac]

thanks

You don't have such luck often....so nice when it happens.
It seems that the Kirby Utility handhelds came from the Cleveland area.
The old posts I've read all talk about finding one in Cleveland.
Mine came from a vacuum repair shop in Cleveland....the owner didn't remember where
he got it but said he had never seen one before.
dave

 

[jrdavis]

maybe

someday i hope to find one to go with this-to make a matching set. i wanted to make a new bag for this when i restored it but cant figure out the right material with the pattern it has and i'm not too good at logo reproducing. it has the bag that came on it so its kinda faded(pic 2)

 

[davevac]

jrdavis

Nice machine !
I wouldn't make a new bag...your original is not that bad at all.
You could enhance yours by hand dying the faded part..I would test that
method on another bag before you do it on yours.
If it were me, I wouldn't do anything at all.
A new bag isn't that difficult to make if you or your wife can sew.
I see your name on the doily so I'm assuming someone can sew or is artsy
in your house. My wife bought heavy black material at a fabric shop...made a
pattern and put it together....found the Kirby logo online and printed it
on decal paper...ironed the decal on...that was it.
dave

 

[jrdavis]

thats what i did

i made a bag for another one i had and used iron on transfer i had printed out. i used duck canvas one time but i think i also made one of black denim. i didnt get the logo iron on very well. it was several years ago and for some reason the bobbin on my old sewing machine keeps getting tangled up.

 

[odavid123]

Kirby Utility Model H 1934

Yes I agree it was sold 1934 /1940 alongside C and R model Kirby’s . ( retail and door to door )
I have it in a box but no manual , I want to find the damn manual lol
I’m cleaning it up so I will post more detailed pictures in a week or so .
Does anybody here have the instruction manual to share ?

 

[hoover300]

Where do you find these things??

Side note, not my pic, but did you know you could get a handle for these?

 

[odavid123]

I’m going to look at my unit to see if that is really possible , cool very cool ! Thank you for including an image.

I’ve been collecting Kirbys off and on for 20 years I have a ton more to unpack from my garage and show here I just never had the time .

 

[vacmadman]

very nice

What a wonderful find! The Kirby utility is one of my dream machines that I hope to find and ad to my collection someday. Congratulations!!

Jim

 

[odavid123]

Thank you Jim ! What early pre war kirbys do you own ?