I was in at my local vacuum shop this weekend getting some Kirby bags for my local thrift finds. I noticed in the line to be picked up mid 40’s Kirby. I asked him if he knew it was that old and he said he did. This shop carries genuine parts but is not as good as the old shop they went out of business. He said that he had a 1933 Hoover and Kirby in back. He couldn't find the Kirby but brought out a Hoover 450 that he said he took in on trade for $10 and he was going to keep it. It had one wheel that was broken, a non Hoover cord and a newer Hoover dump bag. Wish I had my camera with me.
My thrift finds were a Classic Omega that was factory rebuilt in 1987 and came with a Tradition bag on it and a hose with a few misc attachments. I also found a Heritage with the Shampooer. Out the door for the two machines was about $100.
The vacuum shop I was in does a good business but they don’t know things like the other shop did. I was sometime last year getting some bags and belts and asked about making a lux hose from bulk hose for a Model G and they were clueless with out seeing the hose. If they have the machine or part they are ok with knowing what to do. The old shop had been down the street from this one and then moved across town and that was when this shop opened. The other shop closed after the old man died because only one of this three boys were interested in the business.