Whats the story on this Kirby?

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This could be, as someone else pointed out, either a 513, 514 or 515. If we could see the handle to determine whether or not it has the fold-down cord latch and the color of the grip, we could narrow it down to 514 or 515 (presuming it still had the original handle which was gray on early 513s and, I'm pretty sure, red on later ones - but with no folding cord latch in either case).

That little glass jar in the polisher box is a rare item. Here is what it is (see photos). The jar contains a folded pad of cheese-cloth-covered cotton, impregnated with paste wax.

This link takes you to a web page about a really nice 515 that wandered into my life one day, and a few photos of another one that I've had for many years. The second one came from a friend of Stan Kann's who used to attend the Religious Science Church in Los Angeles where he played the organ.

I got that 515 and a really nice Lewyt Model 77 from the same lady, both in beautiful condition. The lady said her (deceased) husband used the "work bench accessory" [her words] more than anything else! She wanted $50 each for them which was a LOT of money back then (early 1990s, pre eBay). But I really wanted them, and also didn't want to make Stan feel awkward since he had talked her into selling them to me, so I paid that much for them.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO electrolux137's LINK

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size


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Post# 282355 5/30/2014 at 11:46 (3,612 days old) by bvac6 (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes Does it have the original bag and trim? Thoughts? CLICK HERE TO GO TO bvac6's LINK on Kokomo Craigslist

Post# 282356 , Reply# 1 5/30/2014 at 12:05 (3,612 days old) by sonnyndad ()
Checkrate/Likes *Go for it!* It looks to be a 513 to 515, from 1953 to 1955. It has the original bag and the rare grey cord with red plug ends. Thirty dollars for that is a steal! It will probably need its bearings repacked with white lithium grease. I repacked my 514's bearings and that made it sound almost like new.

Post# 282364 , Reply# 2 5/30/2014 at 13:22 (3,612 days old) by Gr8DaneDad ()
Checkrate/Likes That is one Kirby I'd grab right away. With just a little work it will be a fantastic addition to any collection

Post# 282366 , Reply# 3 5/30/2014 at 13:26 (3,612 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Hi Hi Robert, Yes it's a Kirby 513 by looking at the bottom of the handle fork. As it isn't filled in. The bag is original. The cord isn't original. The 513 would not of had red ends. But since it's so cheap I'd go and fetch it in a heart beat. I'm sure it will polish up great and run fine. Let us know if you get it and how well you get on with doing it up. James

Post# 282376 , Reply# 4 5/30/2014 at 17:44 (3,611 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes . . This could be, as someone else pointed out, either a 513, 514 or 515. If we could see the handle to determine whether or not it has the fold-down cord latch and the color of the grip, we could narrow it down to 514 or 515 (presuming it still had the original handle which was gray on early 513s and, I'm pretty sure, red on later ones - but with no folding cord latch in either case). That little glass jar in the polisher box is a rare item. Here is what it is (see photos). The jar contains a folded pad of cheese-cloth-covered cotton, impregnated with paste wax. This link takes you to a web page about a really nice 515 that wandered into my life one day, and a few photos of another one that I've had for many years. The second one came from a friend of Stan Kann's who used to attend the Religious Science Church in Los Angeles where he played the organ. I got that 515 and a really nice Lewyt Model 77 from the same lady, both in beautiful condition. The lady said her (deceased) husband used the "work bench accessory" [her words] more than anything else! She wanted $50 each for them which was a LOT of money back then (early 1990s, pre eBay). But I really wanted them, and also didn't want to make Stan feel awkward since he had talked her into selling them to me, so I paid that much for them. CLICK HERE TO GO TO electrolux137's LINK Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 282379 , Reply# 5 5/30/2014 at 17:49 (3,611 days old) by BikerRay (Middle Earth)
Checkrate/Likes Buy it it's you !!!! You'll look fab-u-luss with it ;)

Post# 282734 , Reply# 6 6/2/2014 at 10:24 (3,609 days old) by bvac6 (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes *Kirby* Looks like ill be getting tomorrow!

Post# 282744 , Reply# 7 6/2/2014 at 12:06 (3,609 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)
Checkrate/Likes Wow Charles That Kirby in your link is amazing, did you ever decide whether to buff it up or not? Gareth

Post# 283004 , Reply# 8 6/3/2014 at 22:05 (3,607 days old) by BikerRay (Middle Earth)
Checkrate/Likes So? When do we get to see pictures of your new vac?

Post# 283010 , Reply# 9 6/3/2014 at 22:18 (3,607 days old) by bvac6 (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes *kirby* Well I get it tomorrow and will most likely have it buffed by Saturday. I will post pics :)

Post# 283042 , Reply# 10 6/4/2014 at 08:23 (3,607 days old) by bvac6 (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes *Delay* Looks like me coworker that picked the Kirby up for me isn't going into work today, sadly I will be getting the Kirby tomorrow! :)