DaveG
Airbush Analyst
Early is a relative term with Badger, as they did not start making airbrushes until the early part of the 1960's. Other American brands date back to at least the beginning of the 1900's.
I am assuming, based on observation of the product, that many of the Chicago based brands were all using one job shop or manufacturer, while maintaining their individual and separate brands. It really looks to me like Thayer Chandler made some revisions to the Model A- like adding a taper to the front half of the brush body, changed the rear teardrop handle to a new, long tapered piece - at which time Badger purchased the old parts to create their new beginning. Always been kind of undeniable that the Badger Model 100 is a take off of the Thayer Chandler Model A.
This newest acquisition helps to tie them even closer together - I got in (as close to new) first generation Badger brush, featuring their first on-brush branding. Prior to this, there was simply a foil sticker wrapped around the body (brush in the back). This one came without a case, but did have the original instruction pamphlet that does have some interesting information in it. The two items I found most interesting where the mention of the adjustable regulator cap, although the instructions are not as in depth or detailed as the ones that came with the original Thayer Chandler Model A. For me, it is just one more piece of documentation to help tie the two together.
The other interesting mention is reference to a special service each brush returned to the factory undergoes - ultrasonic cleaning. I will get some photo's of the documentation, and get them posted up with some more info on the brush. Lovely, clean, example.
I am assuming, based on observation of the product, that many of the Chicago based brands were all using one job shop or manufacturer, while maintaining their individual and separate brands. It really looks to me like Thayer Chandler made some revisions to the Model A- like adding a taper to the front half of the brush body, changed the rear teardrop handle to a new, long tapered piece - at which time Badger purchased the old parts to create their new beginning. Always been kind of undeniable that the Badger Model 100 is a take off of the Thayer Chandler Model A.
This newest acquisition helps to tie them even closer together - I got in (as close to new) first generation Badger brush, featuring their first on-brush branding. Prior to this, there was simply a foil sticker wrapped around the body (brush in the back). This one came without a case, but did have the original instruction pamphlet that does have some interesting information in it. The two items I found most interesting where the mention of the adjustable regulator cap, although the instructions are not as in depth or detailed as the ones that came with the original Thayer Chandler Model A. For me, it is just one more piece of documentation to help tie the two together.
The other interesting mention is reference to a special service each brush returned to the factory undergoes - ultrasonic cleaning. I will get some photo's of the documentation, and get them posted up with some more info on the brush. Lovely, clean, example.