Vintage Kenmore shop vac found. Can't find model

[tahoelover2002]

My grandfather found this kenmore vacuum for me at a yard sale. I don't know the age of the vacuum, I'm assuming its old considering its made of heavy duty metal. It has no markings showing the model or serial number on it except the kenmore on the top. Could anyone help me find what the model number is or maybe what year it was made. Also it seams to be a shop vac not just a normal vacuum. Thanks for anyone help

 

[vacman1961]

That is not a shop vac, that is a Kenmore canister from the late 50's to early 60's I would guess?? If you turn it over the model is engraved into the base of the machine, you have too look close, it is very faint sometimes. Good Luck.

 

[tahoelover2002]

I looked all over the vacuum I could not find a single engraving. Is there any other way I could find out what type it is? Do you know of any websites that list the kenmore models? Thanks again for your help

 

[kenkart]

That is..

Kenmores first canister style vacuum, introduced in 1953, made by Birtman Electric Company in Chicago, The nameplate is usually under the lid, but the model no starts with 116, which indicates the manufacturer, Birtman,74.95 new!! a lot of money in 53!

 

[kenkart]

Fall and winter

53 catalogue.

 

[kenkart]

Its odd..but

Wheels were an afterthought on most early canisters, the first GEs didnt have them, this Kenmore didnt, the Kingston or Eurekas or the Jet 99 didnt and the first Constellation didnt float, the idea was set it in the center of a room and clean arond the room without moving the cleaner, very practical in the small tract houses of the day.

 

[suckolux]

That bullet style cleaner to the left of it my aunt gave me in 62? I knew it was a kenmore, about all I could remember. She shipped it to me on the train!

 

[kenkart]

Those old

Kenmores were pretty good, that old motor that Birtman built themselves, has a distinctive sound ,especially on start up, it kind of barks, which is the only way I know how to describe it.

 

[suckolux]

I really only remember it was very rocket like in shape and had a very plugged motor filter and said Kenmore. All of her house had that. I think it was a gold or brown like?

 

[kenkart]

I think

The first tanks they made were called Energex, then they started calling them The Commander, this would have been before WW2, They made so many different variations I cant keep up with them all!

 

[suckolux]

Total blank here! I think they got a house and goodies early to mid 50s and that machine looks about right. She had Pink Fancy Lady Kenmore washer/ dryer. We only got down to visit them maybe once a year in Arizona

 

[tahoelover2002]

Great thanks so much! That helps me a lot. I'm going to take a look tomorrow under the lid! what is the name is the bullet shapped one? It's soooo cool!

 

[kenkart]

Re Kenmore tank

Sometimes they called them the Commander, but mostly just their tank cleaner, no special name., there were different variations of these as well, the el cheapo, was smaller and had small loop type runners on it, then the more deluxe style with two wheels at the back and a slide thing in front, then they mounted it on a cart calling it the Ken Kart.

 

[suckolux]

Gosh, I don't even remember if mine had wheels or runners!

 

[mister299]

Sound

Does anyone have a sound clip of any of these old Birtman Kenmores that they can post? I was curious as to what they sound like since it is so different.....

 

[suckolux]

Even though it was ages ago, bark sounded right to me