Brass, Copper, & Collectibles Restoration Page   Click on Pic to Enlarge   

This is the famous ElkHart Fire Extinguisher (circa 1920's).  While it is not as old as many valuable soda-acid devices that can be over 100 years old, it is very desirable.  This 2 1/2 gal. unit is aprox. 70 years old and has orig. red hose, lead nozzle, acid bottle (inside), and a solid copper hanger strap (back).  It's current (first ) restoration is effective with clear coat to prevent tarnish. These old collectibles can be found with no shine, the parts are rough cast, and are often totally black with tarnish. 

Click on Pic to Enlarge The sizes of Soda Acid Extinguishers

The middle size is the most common for shops and offices and was 2 1/2 gal.  The small size is known as the Pony and was found in smaller rooms.  The large 5 gal. size would be necessary in industrial and hazardous applications.  All have acid bottles in the top inside while the body held soda water solution.  When turned upside down, the chemicals mixed and the resulting reaction created pressure which forced the liquid out the hose (which was then at the bottom of the tank).  They were quite effective and were replaced by more modern designs and chemicals used under constant pressure.  Most were out of service by 1979.  Many made their way to scrap metal dealers who would try to get a little more than the metal value from collectors before crushing them for recycle.  My ElkHeart came from such a place in Seattle.

Click on Pic to Enlarge      Brass Tops

This assortment of turn of the century fire extinguisher tops show some of the elegance and variety used for functional items in that era. From right to left:  A Badger Fire Extinguisher Co. (Boston - 1900-1) top with ceramic stopple in a cage in the top.  The stopple of lead or ceramic was used to "stopper" the acid bottle but would allow the acid to come out if turned upside down.  The Stempel Fire Extinguisher Mgf. Co. is St. Louis 1903.  The unrestored Knight & Thomas, Inc. is also Boston but circa. 1907 and has a built in cage for both the bottle and the stopple.  The largest top is the Badger 5 Gal. circa. 1900.  The National Standard top is "SIMPLEX" Non-Sticking Cover patented Jan. 5, 09.   It is made with a separate inner section from the outer threaded section.  All of these are substantial castings of heavy brass and are still functional despite the corrosion factor of the acid, and the numerous hammering done to remove them for periodic servicing. They were used as cast with rough surfaces, and require quite allot of work to "bring out their character" and shine.

If you would like the procedures, tools, and products I use to restore and protect non-ferrous metals, just E-me.

Click on Pic to Enlarge     1906 Singer Model 27-4 Shuttle Bobbin

Serial # H 997752 (date from Singer 1-800-474-6437)

This very Original machine has 90% of the attachments shown in the original manuals that I got it with.  It works very well on leather, canvas, and other heavy materials.  I bought it while in the quest to purchase parts to restore my Mother's machine which (Model 66) was somewhat newer than this one.  It is a tribute to the machines, and the people who bought and used them, that they still exist.   My Mother literally wore hers out, the imagined equivalent of over 1,000,000,000 miles on a car. Since there were so many sold, parts are now available from "bone yard" supplies in the hands of caring folks.

Imagine this drawing for a manual today    Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge     Or that have maint. instructions like these! 

and detail like this wood, paint, and metal...    Click to Enlarge

The foot treadle drives the head with a leather belt which also winds thread on the bobbin when adjusted to do so...

  Click to Enlarge (Bobbin cam engaged).

Click for My Address