kirbys old & new

[Anachronism]

Significant other used my "C", decided to get one of her own, hence the Heritage. Age difference: about 50 years

 

[kirbykrazy505]

Family

was that 1940s model your parents?

 

[cb123]

With the cord going off that far to the side,It looks like it could be a model R, but most likely a very early model C. Thanks for posting it to the VCCC!

 

[cb123]

Here's a close up of a 1934 early C. If you can, post a photo of where the plug goes into the body and one of the tag.

 

[dustin]

Very nice! The Heritage looks even nicer in the picture than in person! Any chance you could post a picture of the bottom of the C? Never seen one up close and I'm curious.

 

[cb123]

Here's a photo of the bottom of a C.

 

[Anachronism]

Thanks for the pic of the underbelly! The cord on mine plugs directly into a male plug mounted directly on the bottom of the motor. There is a provision for the safety switch on the blower housing, but no provision on the motor for the conduit or junction- no screw holes, etc. The name plate carries this number: C- R53692

 

[dustin]

Thanks! Quite a bit different from even a 500 series. No bottom plate or belt guard. Looks like you need a new brushroll though!

 

[dustin]

Also surprising that there is no switch, I can see now why you mounted a switch to the handle.

 

[Anachronism]

At this point in time I have been shamed into breaking out the cotton wheel & polishing rouge--

 

[cb123]

It's an early 1934 0r 35 model R, the switch is always in the handle. You have a very rare Kirby Unit THERE. Thanks for the photo!

 

[Anachronism]

Thanks for the info! I hang on to things that seem unique, especially well built vintage tools & equipment. Never knew much about the history of these until recently

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The only other Kirby upright to have the motor switch on the handle grip since the model 4R was the Comvac CVD1600.

~Ben

 

[super-sweeper]

The CVD1600!

My Dream-Machine yet to be found!

 

[dustin]

Any real purpose of the switch being moved up to the handle of the Comvac, rather than the traditional foot switch, or was it done just to make it different from Kirby's home use machines?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Dustin,

Probably to distinguish it from the Heritage it shares its architecture with; although the 516/Sanitronic-based CV1300 has the motor switch in the same place as those former household Kirbys.

~Ben

 

[tolivac]

I have the 1600-NICE commercail machine-one of the nicest I have next to Royal metal commercail vacuums.Use my 1600 with paper bags to keep its bag clean.

 

[super-sweeper]

Think,

It would not be so easy depressing a foot switch with that gigantic bag in the way! perhaps that's why the switch is in the handle? I don't know why they would've done it to "distinguish" it from household models, it's distinguished enough in grey and black!