Tour and a Kirby

[shag]

A friend of mine is thinking of buying the old post office. She wants to turn it into a restaurant.
I got to tour the place with her and it is amazing inside. The clock no longer works.
The current owner tried to turn the place into a fleamarket/dollar store. It didn't work. The place is now filled with crap. I noticed a bunch of vacuums and asked if I could buy them?

 

[shag]

Tour and a Kirby

Cost me $25 but it was worth the tour

 

[shag]

Tour and a Kirby

Looks ok? The belt was broken.

 

[shag]

Tour and a Kirby

Bag is in great shape. How do I get it off to wash it?

 

[shag]

Tour and a Kirby

I didn't even ask if it worked? It started right up. Those bags get BIG.
How old is this vacuum? Are the colours correct on it? The handle grip is black. Should it be red?

 

[cb123]

Great Find!

If it's a(1949)Kirby 509 or (1950) 510, the handle grip should be black, and I wouldn't recommend washing the bag - just shake it out and clean it carefully.

 

[vac-o-matic]

My guess on age is 1948-50. The model nbr. should be on the bottom, 508 would be 1948, 510 would be 1950. It's rare that the handle grip is original, and the bag is in such good condtion, I wouldn't wash, just vacuum inside out, or if you have access to an air pressure hose, blow it out. Those bags are risky to wash because of the screen type printing on the bag. That's a keeper for sure, just get some Mother's mag and aluminum polish, and some 0000 steel wool, rub the hell out it, then polish with a soft cloth. You got a good deal!

 

[electrolux137]

"STEP AWAY FROM THE KIRBY ... STEP AWAY FROM THE KIRBY&#

~


~


 


PLEASE   <span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;">DO NOT </span>wash that beautiful Kirby bag.


 


You will  <span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;">SURELY</span>  be  <span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;">VERY SORRY</span> if you do,


 


because you will  <span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;">RUIN </span>it!!!


 


The machine appears to be a 508 or 509 given the ribbed dark gray rubber handle, the gray trim and the red belt lifter.


 


If it was a 510-11-12 the handle would be smooth gray plastic.


 


I can't believe you plugged that cord into the wall as badly frayed as it is at the machine-end plug. You could easily have fried what appears to be an incredibly beautiful old Kirby.


 


That bag is just in impossibly perfect condition.


 


I hope you'll take more photos. And again...


 


<span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;">¡¡¡¡¡¡¡PLEASE DO NOT WASH THE BAG!!!!!!!</span>


 


 

[this post was last edited: 7/24/2014-00:40]

 

[super-sweeper]

you'll very the bag?

LOL Charles! Did anyone notice the cord is not original? It's thicker than an original, and the end is square instead of round! That looks like an old heavy-duty extension cord! 

 


I doubt the Kirby would explode with that cord. The frayed spot would just shoot sparks everywhere and explode off the plug (I know that from experience! 

)

 

[cb123]

It's probably not a 508, because the rubber on the headlight is long cut and the light fixture is different also. On the 508, the magic finger is basically a 505 but red. All pictures are of a early 508, but picture # 3 is of a 512 - showing different headlight rubber cuts.

 

[super-sweeper]

and there's Calem!

Showing off his beautiful KIRBIES (Kirbaci?) Again! 

 


As always, lovely Kirby Calem!!!

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi,

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi Brian, What a great find and another great old Kirby saved.</span>


<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I'm sure it will clean up great. I look forward to seeing it all polished up.</span>


<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">The bags in lovely condition.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James.

</span>

 

[eurekastar]

What a great find!!!

I'm pretty sure that is a Model 509. The Model 508 had a script on the belt lifter that was unique to that model only. The Model 508 is on the left. The Model 509 is on the right.

 

[shag]

I should have never washed the bag. I should not have used bleach either.
I can't find the model # anywhere. Where is it usually?
I was suprised the bulb even worked. I did a quick polish and it should be quite nice. The cord is pretty long and heavy. I wonder if the vacuum belonged to the post office? The post office is 102 years old. The vacuum doesn't smell either. Not like dog or cigaretts. It might have been used for the lobbies and halls?

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

Model and other information is generally on a metal ratings plate riveted to the bottom of the case under the motor.


 


Sucks that you washed that bag..... 3/4 of the value was in that bag, maybe more.

 

[shag]

Just yanking your chain. The bag is fine.

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

you could give an old man a heart attack yanking like that.

 

[electrolux137]

~
~

Yes, I agree it's a 509. In my senility I forgot about the unique belt lifter of that model.

btw here's a photo of the 509 attachment set. Note the rubber cuff on the wand-end of the hose, the short plastic piece that attaches to the hose as a handle, and the smooth surfaces of all the wands. Also note that the floor polisher still has the 508-style belt lifter -- not at all uncommon for Kirbys.

This same attachment set may have come with the 508; I don't know, I've never seen a complete 508 but it's very possible.

 

[cb123]

Thanks Alex...

but it's more like Kirbylicious. Kirby is, indeed, a feast for the eyes and a sight to behold. I must truly say, without any and all equivocation, it is one of my most esteemed machines. When I see it, I can almost hear the theme music of "2001 and Space Odyssey." - Exhilarating!