Pre-1980 Royal Upright Model Chart

Here is a listing of all the pre-1980 Royal all-metal uprights:

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ABOUT HOUSEHOLD MODELS

1945-53 models have red bags with gold ROYAL letters/crown with red/black (diagonal sections) metal belt cover (or Adjust-O-Rite) with R-O-Y-A-L letters on black portion and gold crown on red portion.

1953-60 models have red/black bags with red R-O-Y-A-L letters/crown on black portion of bag; metal belt cover (or Adjust-O-Rite) is red/black (half divided) with red R-O-Y-A-L lettering on black half and gold crown on red half.

1961-65 models have red/gray (standard) or red/beige (deluxe) bags with dark red R-O-Y-A-L lettering on red portion of bag; metal belt cover is brushed aluminum with a futuristic-looking "Royal" logo running diagonally up; while those models with the Adjust-O-Rite have white R-O-Y-A-L letters on red (left portion) with the crown logo and "ADJUST-O-RITE" (silver text) on the right portion of plug.

1966-85 models have red crown and R-O-Y-A-L letters on beige (model 801) or light blue (880, 888) bag. The Adjust-O-Rite is the 1960-style design carried over (red plug), but on the 880 and 888 it is colored light blue with red R-O-Y-A-L letters and crown (ADJUST-O-RITE silver text). From 1970-77, the crown and lettering on the bags were outlined.

Starting around 1975, the Adjust-O-Rite plug was redesigned, with the words "Adjust" and "Rite" (or "Adjust-O-Rite" on 1985 and later models, with warning and belt position) comprising the top and bottom halves of the plug (with a line between) in the same font as the then-current Royal logo.

From 1978-85, the bags were redesigned: the crown was the then-current print logo, with big red, futuristic-looking R-O-Y-A-L letters below.

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ABOUT COMMERCIAL MODELS

1966-77 models are identified by a dark blue bag (shake-out types have no zipper; zippered bag models, for disposable bags, have a "Z" attached to their model numbers, e.g. 608Z, 611Z) with red ROYAL letters and crown, gray stripes and C-O-M-M-E-R-C-I-A-L letters (red text amid gray border).

1978-85 models are identified by a dark blue bag (both types again available) with then-current Royal logo in red, with C-O-M-M-E-R-C-I-A-L seen vertically below that, forming a "T."

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Model 153 (1945-85)
No headlight. Standard belt cover plug.

Model 189/215/292/299 (1945-53)
All have standard headlight. #299 has Adjust-O-Rite.

Model 601 (1953-65)
Shake-out bag. Standard headlight. Standard metal belt cover.

Model 602 (1966-85)
Dark blue zippered bag and gray trim with red R-O-Y-A-L lettering and crown. Standard headlight. Adjust-O-Rite plug.

Model 603 (1966-85)
Same as 602 except with standard belt cover plug.

Model 606 (1966-76)
Standard headlight. Adjust-O-Rite.

Model 608 (1977-87)
Deluxe headlight. Adjust-O-Rite.

Model 611 (1977-87)
Standard headlight. Adjust-O-Rite.

Model 801 (1953-85)
Toss-out bag. Standard headlight. Adjust-O-Rite.

Model 880 (1966-87) / 888 (1970-81)
Light blue trim. Toss-out bag. Deluxe headlight. Adjust-O-Rite. #888 is similar, but has removable nozzle.

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As always, corrections and additions to this chart are always welcome! Thank you...

~Ben


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Post# 123725 2/2/2011 at 00:10 (4,831 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes Here is a listing of all the pre-1980 Royal all-metal uprights: -------- ABOUT HOUSEHOLD MODELS 1945-53 models have red bags with gold ROYAL letters/crown with red/black (diagonal sections) metal belt cover (or Adjust-O-Rite) with R-O-Y-A-L letters on black portion and gold crown on red portion. 1953-60 models have red/black bags with red R-O-Y-A-L letters/crown on black portion of bag; metal belt cover (or Adjust-O-Rite) is red/black (half divided) with red R-O-Y-A-L lettering on black half and gold crown on red half. 1961-65 models have red/gray (standard) or red/beige (deluxe) bags with dark red R-O-Y-A-L lettering on red portion of bag; metal belt cover is brushed aluminum with a futuristic-looking "Royal" logo running diagonally up; while those models with the Adjust-O-Rite have white R-O-Y-A-L letters on red (left portion) with the crown logo and "ADJUST-O-RITE" (silver text) on the right portion of plug. 1966-85 models have red crown and R-O-Y-A-L letters on beige (model 801) or light blue (880, 888) bag. The Adjust-O-Rite is the 1960-style design carried over (red plug), but on the 880 and 888 it is colored light blue with red R-O-Y-A-L letters and crown (ADJUST-O-RITE silver text). From 1970-77, the crown and lettering on the bags were outlined. Starting around 1975, the Adjust-O-Rite plug was redesigned, with the words "Adjust" and "Rite" (or "Adjust-O-Rite" on 1985 and later models, with warning and belt position) comprising the top and bottom halves of the plug (with a line between) in the same font as the then-current Royal logo. From 1978-85, the bags were redesigned: the crown was the then-current print logo, with big red, futuristic-looking R-O-Y-A-L letters below. -------- ABOUT COMMERCIAL MODELS 1966-77 models are identified by a dark blue bag (shake-out types have no zipper; zippered bag models, for disposable bags, have a "Z" attached to their model numbers, e.g. 608Z, 611Z) with red ROYAL letters and crown, gray stripes and C-O-M-M-E-R-C-I-A-L letters (red text amid gray border). 1978-85 models are identified by a dark blue bag (both types again available) with then-current Royal logo in red, with C-O-M-M-E-R-C-I-A-L seen vertically below that, forming a "T." -------- Model 153 (1945-85) No headlight. Standard belt cover plug. Model 189/215/292/299 (1945-53) All have standard headlight. #299 has Adjust-O-Rite. Model 601 (1953-65) Shake-out bag. Standard headlight. Standard metal belt cover. Model 602 (1966-85) Dark blue zippered bag and gray trim with red R-O-Y-A-L lettering and crown. Standard headlight. Adjust-O-Rite plug. Model 603 (1966-85) Same as 602 except with standard belt cover plug. Model 606 (1966-76) Standard headlight. Adjust-O-Rite. Model 608 (1977-87) Deluxe headlight. Adjust-O-Rite. Model 611 (1977-87) Standard headlight. Adjust-O-Rite. Model 801 (1953-85) Toss-out bag. Standard headlight. Adjust-O-Rite. Model 880 (1966-87) / 888 (1970-81) Light blue trim. Toss-out bag. Deluxe headlight. Adjust-O-Rite. #888 is similar, but has removable nozzle. -------- As always, corrections and additions to this chart are always welcome! Thank you... ~Ben

Post# 269845 , Reply# 1 3/1/2014 at 12:47 (3,707 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *Model To Add* Hi Ben, Hoping to add to your Pre-1980 Royal Upright Model Chart. Here's the plate mounted on the bottom of the motor housing:

Post# 269847 , Reply# 2 3/1/2014 at 12:49 (3,707 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *Date From Armature* Not sure if you or Jeff would be able to date this vacuum from the numbers on the armature, but here are the numbers to work with:

Post# 269853 , Reply# 3 3/1/2014 at 13:42 (3,707 days old) by kenkart ()
Checkrate/Likes *One thing...* I have a 1958 Royal 801, it has the beige bag with red front piece, I know its original because i have the 1958 Good Housekeeping ad for it..

Post# 269854 , Reply# 4 3/1/2014 at 13:45 (3,707 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes John, The last four numbers in the 2nd pic appear to mean a build date of November 1939 for this armature. ~Ben

Post# 270151 , Reply# 5 3/3/2014 at 21:06 (3,705 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)
Checkrate/Likes Think you're right Ben. However, looking at the other armature section, it could be March of 1949. Hans, I have that same 801! Here's mine. Jeff

Post# 270153 , Reply# 6 3/3/2014 at 21:32 (3,705 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes Jeff, The newest patent listed on the plate is 2,131,842 which was submitted on March 17, 1936 and filed October 4, 1938 so the 1939 date on the armature may still be correct. ~Ben

Post# 270190 , Reply# 7 3/4/2014 at 04:47 (3,705 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *Royal History* Jeff, have you ever considered starting a Royal museum, or writing a book about them? I'd pay admission AND buy the book! Probably a very limited fan base, but loyal, no doubt. If it weren't for the "KirbyClassicIII" handle, I'd think Ben was the number one fan. Certainly appreciate both of your efforts. As soon as I get a new sleeve fitted in the front motor bearing, I'll upload the finished images of the 131. Murphy reluctantly agreed to let me keep it: