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Thread Number: 42684
/ Tag: Pre-1950 Vacuum Cleaners
Need info on a vacuum cleaner from Germany. |
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| Post# 447880 11/16/2021 at 11:20 (889 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
I ran across a find I couldn't pass up, now I need the experts to give me some background.
This is a Progress 50 E, tank style on wheels and I suspect its from the 1930's as the machine ends, spray gun, and some type of blower thingy are all Bakelite. The glass jar to the spray gun is an odd shape. This machine is in excellent condition, but I haven't run it yet as I don't know the voltage. However, I was told by the seller that it used as the daily driver of owner, who lived in California. The only thing not original is the cord, but the female plug (machine end) is, and as far as I can tell, the hose is in good condition. If any of you have info on this I'd greatly appreciate it. Pictures to follow in a day or so. Thanks, Alex Taber. By the way, 'Caligula,' was the cat in my avatar. | ||
| Post# 447887 , Reply# 1 11/16/2021 at 12:08 (889 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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Progress 50 E. | ||
Post# 447889 , Reply# 2 11/16/2021 at 13:31 (889 days old) by gottahaveahoove  (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Great to hear from you | ||
| Post# 447891 , Reply# 3 11/16/2021 at 13:47 (889 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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Hi John. | ||
| Post# 447893 , Reply# 4 11/16/2021 at 14:48 (889 days old) by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
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| Post# 447902 , Reply# 5 11/16/2021 at 19:08 (889 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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Thanks Tom.
You know my love of old vacuum cleaners, and especially the history behind them. This was made in Germany so I have no info on it. However, I did run it, and while there are two speeds, very poor suction, certainly not something I'd clean the house with. Obviously a display item. Still its in wonderful condition for its age. The hose is in remarkable condition, yes it passed the Rodger Prohl test with flying colors. In fact, the only drawback is the case, but I can't complain considering its age. There is also something that looks like a hand held blower with a cord that plugs into the front housing. Never saw anything like this before, and as you know I've seen almost every type of attachment there is.
So if you have any background on this machine let me know. Thanks again, Alex T. | ||
| Post# 447903 , Reply# 6 11/16/2021 at 19:38 (889 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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Progress 50 E.
Tom:
This looks like the Electrolux model 11, or something European. I understand the Progress appliance company was in Cleveland, Ohio around 1930, which rules out the P.A. Geier Co.. I'm chomping at the bit to know the history. The bare floor tool, and dusting brush are wood, painted green. They, and the upholstery tool are an exact match to the Electrolux model 5. They too are in remarkable condition. In fact, the dusting brush was hardly used. Rug tool is Bakelite, and chrome, there is even a felt pad. As I said, the only thing not original is the cord. Obviously I got a wonderful machine at a rock bottom price. It will look so good once I get the display up and running again, but I'll save that for another time. | ||
| Post# 447922 , Reply# 7 11/17/2021 at 09:03 (889 days old) by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
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| Post# 447927 , Reply# 8 11/17/2021 at 11:28 (888 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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Thanks Tom.
Poor suction is right. I tested it with my hand over the intake outlet, very little suction, I can only imagine putting on the hose. No way to clean anything. But as a display item, that's another story.
There is no paperwork that I can find, so the instruction book posted here would be great. And you know how I'm addicted to instruction books. Alex. | ||
| Post# 447937 , Reply# 9 11/17/2021 at 13:19 (888 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell ) | ||
I think Tom is probably right about that one.
But you might send some pictures and ask that German collector on Instagram. CLICK HERE TO GO TO vacuumdevil's LINK | ||
| Post# 447947 , Reply# 10 11/17/2021 at 18:07 (888 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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Thanks vacuumdevil;
I just had a look at that site, awesome.
My first interest is the non electric machines of the mid to late 1800's, early 1900's, and I have a few of them in my collection. My second interest is Electrolux, the early years. Tom and I share an interest in these. Actually, we go back more years that I care to remember, his knowledge is amazing. Thanks for sharing. Alex T. | ||
| Post# 448016 , Reply# 11 11/19/2021 at 06:09 (887 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk) | ||
Hey Alex:
I have a Progress P50E in my collection. They were made from 1952 to 1962. Doug
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| Post# 448024 , Reply# 12 11/19/2021 at 11:21 (886 days old) by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
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Progress Pictures
You mentioned it was on wheels, which led me to think of the Progress (on wheels) instruction manual I have. Could this be the machine? I knew I had this instruction manual.
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| Post# 448025 , Reply# 13 11/19/2021 at 13:00 (886 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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This is great, thank's Tom. | ||
| Post# 448026 , Reply# 14 11/19/2021 at 13:08 (886 days old) by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
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| Post# 448027 , Reply# 15 11/19/2021 at 13:17 (886 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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No problem.
I haven't taken pictures yet, but to see it, go to eBay, Progress 50e. Mine is the same model, and in far better condition.
As I said, this has a European look, like the English, or Canadian Electrolux's. Body is more squared off. Check it out and have a look. The info you sent ready 1937, and I think this is correct. Thanks again. | ||
| Post# 448028 , Reply# 16 11/19/2021 at 13:28 (886 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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What baffles me is the part shown on the eBay site, picture 6, where he's holding the cord to something. I have the same attachment, and it appears to be a blower, or perhaps some sort of demother device. Also mine has no dents in the body as this one has. I really got a teriffic find, and for a fraction of the price.
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| Post# 448036 , Reply# 17 11/19/2021 at 15:23 (886 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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Thanks Doug. | ||
| Post# 448052 , Reply# 18 11/21/2021 at 12:21 (884 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk) | ||
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Hey Alex
Which blower thing. Mine has the sprayer and the demother. A common european part that is electric for the exhaust was the hair dryer, which had a heating element. I have one with my Ruton (pictured below - bottom left corner)
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| Post# 448067 , Reply# 19 11/21/2021 at 17:09 (884 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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Thank's, that makes sense. Far better than using the hose on a standard vacuum cleaner. By the way the Ruton looks great.
Another question about the case mine came in. There's a round hole on the front left side, I'm wondering if there was once an emblem of some kind. This is also confusing. In your picture the 50E blocks that. Still, aside from the case, and the horseshoe bristled part, which I don't have, mine is in wonderful condition. Oh, the cord. Would one for the early Electrolux's, models XI & XII work? I'd like to find one that matches. What came with it is white and obviously a newer cord with the original machine end plug. I'm a purist, I want to keep this as original as possible. Thanks for sharing. Alex T. | ||
| Post# 448068 , Reply# 20 11/21/2021 at 17:16 (884 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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| Post# 448073 , Reply# 21 11/21/2021 at 21:49 (884 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk) | ||
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Hi - Yep that is the hair dryer resting on the hose - you put the hose on the exhaust then the hair dryer on that. It was used the same way as a modern hair dryer but with the vacuum providing the air flow.
I don't have mine in a place where I can get at it at the moment so I'm not sure if there is anything on the case. | ||
| Post# 448074 , Reply# 22 11/21/2021 at 21:50 (884 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk) | ||
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| Post# 448077 , Reply# 23 11/21/2021 at 22:11 (884 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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| Post# 448105 , Reply# 24 11/23/2021 at 09:59 (882 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk) | ||
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Strange thing about this model is, up till about 3 years ago I had only seen it in pictures from Germany. Then this one turned up in a thrift store in Calgary. Since then I have seen 3 or 4 more show up in various places (like ebay, kijiji etc). Very funny how stuff seems to run in cycles like that.
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| Post# 448106 , Reply# 25 11/23/2021 at 11:12 (882 days old) by Caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut) | ||
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Strange thing with mine too.
I walked into an antique store in Globe, Arizona with no intention of getting vacuums. I'm there five minutes, see an open case with very interesting attachments. The rug nozzle is one I've never seen before, and that interests me. Long story short, I bought it. Next day I see the same model on eBay for twice the price and not nearly in as good condition.
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