Polar Cub

[hoover300]

This has a slightly different motor than others, and a different paint scheme. The only thing that seems off is that, the oil hole on the bottom is filled in, but I can see a slight outline of where it should be. Also, there is a weird imperfection in the "Oil" embossing directly above it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2245872141...kt=5&sd=165030637767&itm=224587214113&pmt=0&n

 

[mjhoshaw]

A.C. Gilbert used that motor in practically everything

I once had a Polar Cub mixer and several Polar Cub fans. They also made a vibrator (massager) with the same motor.

 

[hoover300]

Oh yeah

I have also heard of a pencil sharpener, hair dryer, and certain early Erector sets having it as well. The vacuum seems to be the only bad usage of it. I have one, it is oiled and serviced, yet my Dirt Devil Junior upright has more suction. Probably why these are so rare, they can barely inflate the bag!

 

[huskyvacs]

There was a Gilbert rebranded one on eBay for a long time but right before I was going to buy it the seller deleted the auction because it was "no longer available".

Here's some similar Polar Cubs. The ad is from 1928. They even had a kid's toy version of one that was made as an upright!

 

[hoover300]

That upright is a holy grail for me, I can't even find a pic of one.
The Gilbert you probably saw was the later one with green hammertone plating, I have yet to get my hands on one and try it.

Look at the cobbled together handle mounts for that toy, it is almost definitely homemade. Cool premise though.