Old Kirby

[myoldvac]

This is a picture of my old Kirby, just wondered if anyone knows which one it is or about what year it was made. It has a 2 stamped in the casting underneath near the back wheels and 495 stamped a few inches away from the 2. It belonged to our grandparents who bought it new. I believe everything is original on it, plugged it in and motor, brush and light all work. Thanks

 

[oreck_xl]

It is a either a model 513, 514 or 515 circa 1953-55. It is definitely NOT original, the bag as well as the belt lifter for starters have been replaced.

- Hershel

 

[eurekastar]

It's definitely been rebuilt. Along with the other items mentioned, the wheels aren't original either. They would be black rubber or grey plastic (for a late 515). Has the builder's plate been removed from the bottom? It will list the model number.

 

[myoldvac]

Thank you all for the info. There is no builders plate anywhere to be found.

 

[danemodsandy]

A Very Fine Driver!

While this Kirby may not be all-original, at least it's been well-maintained, and whatever has been replaced has been done with Kirby parts.

As we collect, I think it's good to remember that manufacturers change and upgrade parts, and that a lot of really nice vacs have such parts on them. To my way of thinking, that does not mean the machine has been bojacked.

My Lux 1205 has the current grey wand sheath on it, and I have a new Lux hose. Both parts are actually better than the originals they replaced - the wand sheath is much stronger, and the hose is more flexible. And they are genuine Lux/Aerus parts, not aftermarket, so the machine is still all-Lux even if it's not all-original.

Certainly, the woods are full of "reconditioned" machines that have been cheaply spray painted and given a set of fitall tools, and those machines are not usually of much interest. But a good old machine that had an owner who cared enough to get factory parts is not to be sneezed at, even if there are collectors who can spot the difference a mile away.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

CLUE: If it has a 6-blade fan, it is either a model 513 or 514; but if it has a 10-blade fan that is original and not a replacement, then it's a model 515.

~Ben

 

[twocvbloke]

"and whatever has been replaced has been done with Kirby

Well, no, the bag is a bojack, the belt lifter looks the same too, the wheels could be bojack too, unless they're genuine ClassicIII wheels, so, not really kept together with Kirby parts... :&#92

 

[kirbybag]

kirby 514 or 515

i think its a 514 or 515

 

[myoldvac]

Thank again for all the info on my old Kirby!!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

@myoldvac
Does it have a 6-blade impeller fan or a 10-blade impeller fan? If it is the former then the model # would be 514, but if it's the latter (original and not replaced) then it would be a 515.

~Ben

 

[myoldvac]

Took it apart and I counted 11 blades. Looked up replacement parts and on the website I found it has Genuine Kirby Lexan Fans and I counted 11 blades.

 

[eurekastar]

Another way to tell is by looking at the rug plate. It went through a redesign with the 514. The brush roll remained the same but the rug plate was redesigned for easier installation.

 

[kidkirby]

looks like a 513

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The handle grip suggests a 512 or older model... I will add. Thus, I can say this is a definite example of a "Franken-Kirby."

It is amazing what you can do with parts that fit Kirbys of similar vintage.

~Ben

 

[kirbyvacuum]

Very nice looking and very well keeped Kirby i may be wrong but i think it was Made May Of 1949

 

[electrolux137]

The open fork at the bottom of the handle puts it at 513 or earlier. From the 514 on, the fork was solid all the way across, like this one (see photo).

Of course, given all the bojack replacement parts, it could actually be any model from 509 thru 515, especially since there's no serial number plate.

One supposes you're fishing for its value: Probably negligible. It's old and in good condition (assuming the motor runs well) but not collectible. It's just an old vacuum cleaner.

 

[kirbykid]

Do you think that the push switch was an upgrade done by a dealer then?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

If it's not a 513, then, yes.

The 513 was the first model to pioneer the foot switch (and later on, the 4 amp motor), but it was the last to use the hollowed-design handle fork.

~Ben

 

[kirbykid]

So some 513s had the hollow handle fork and the new foot switch?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Evan,

All 513s had the hollowed handle fork and the foot switch... the notable change was during the year, in which the motor changed from 3 to 4 amps. The other mid-season change: the handle grip changed color from gray to red.

~Ben

 

[electrolux137]

Yes, the switch is clue that this may be a 513. (OTOH, see comments below.)

The first reference to the "push-push" switch in Kirby literature that I've come across is in a typewritten, mimeographed & stapled 8.5x11 booklet dated February 15, 1953. I've scanned the cover. (The brochure is 10 pages long; too much stuff to scan.)

Since this brochure was prepared in such a simplistic fashion -- looking more like a schoolteacher's project than official company printed matter for distribution to the publc -- my guess is that it was a small run for a limited number of people, perhaps branch managers and so on.


-ooOoo-


What some people may not realize is that when vac shops -- Kirby or otherwise -- tear down Kirbys for rebuilding, all the parts to one particular machine do not stay together. Rather, all the handle grips go in one bin, the forks in another, the headlight housings in another, the switches in another, the nozzles in another ... and so on. When a machine is put together for rebuilding, they just reach in the various bins for a handlegrip, a fork, a headlight housing, a switch, a nozzle, etc.

The exception to this is machines that are sent in for rebuilding under the orignal-owner warranties, the parts of a given machine are kept together.

 

[ultimatevacman]

To say it's not original I think it looks quite nice.