Kim McCann
Mac-Valve Maestro!
Another find and restoration. Undated, but based on photos, the distinct nozzle cap that isn't like the conical ones from the 30s and 40s,, the tin side cup style and build, I am thinking maybe early to mid 1920s. Possibly later, but before the conical caps were in use. I think @DaveG could far better date this than I, as he has much more experience in these matters.
The only photo I could match it to was a museum photo dated 1918, but I suspect that to be wrong, as other photos of the eral show handles with a flat handle with end cap. Besides the serial number stamped on it is closer to the 30s model I have.
The brush itself was in pretty good condition aside from a lot of ancient dried paint and a corroded needle that took some patience and a lot of deox to get free. Once I got it cleaned up properly, oiled, polished and the re finished / sharpened the needles, gave the needle channel a good proper cleaning, it sprays pretty much like new. Oh, had to replace the spring in the air valve too. It had pretty much crumbled to bits with old corrosion.
The case is another matter. It was in horrible shape, held together with elastic and old paint globs. I got it as clean as I could, repaired the hinghe, and even managed to get most of the old paint out of the ancient velvet and satin, but it is still pretty tatty. If I am feeling brave one day, I might consider giving the old case a good wash with peroxide, but I have seen that harm as much as help, so maybe not. I would however like to find a way to get the old elastic marks off the case. The elastic had pretty much fused to the case and it took quite a bit of time with a delicate brush to remove all the old dried rubber from the case.
If anyone knows a good non-destructive cleaner to eat old rubber, lemme know.
The only photo I could match it to was a museum photo dated 1918, but I suspect that to be wrong, as other photos of the eral show handles with a flat handle with end cap. Besides the serial number stamped on it is closer to the 30s model I have.
The brush itself was in pretty good condition aside from a lot of ancient dried paint and a corroded needle that took some patience and a lot of deox to get free. Once I got it cleaned up properly, oiled, polished and the re finished / sharpened the needles, gave the needle channel a good proper cleaning, it sprays pretty much like new. Oh, had to replace the spring in the air valve too. It had pretty much crumbled to bits with old corrosion.
The case is another matter. It was in horrible shape, held together with elastic and old paint globs. I got it as clean as I could, repaired the hinghe, and even managed to get most of the old paint out of the ancient velvet and satin, but it is still pretty tatty. If I am feeling brave one day, I might consider giving the old case a good wash with peroxide, but I have seen that harm as much as help, so maybe not. I would however like to find a way to get the old elastic marks off the case. The elastic had pretty much fused to the case and it took quite a bit of time with a delicate brush to remove all the old dried rubber from the case.
If anyone knows a good non-destructive cleaner to eat old rubber, lemme know.