| Archive for The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Original Unofficial Toy Steam Forum Established 2006 The biggest, most popular steam forum around! Accept NO imitations! We have a growing community of regular posting members who chat about all aspects of toy and model steam. |
| Loquinho |
On Ebay - Someone Tell Me What This Ishttp://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-METAL...PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemI've never seen a toy steam engine at all like this. I want. Anyone know if it was manufactured, or if it's machinist built? I really do love the look of it. |
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| johnreid |
I dont know either, but is sure is an interesting thing, I agree I like the looks too. | ||
| redryder |
Re: On Ebay - Someone Tell Me What This Is
I have not seen one like it either but I like it and I have a starter bid on it. Gil |
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| tmuir |
No idea but it looks old, well built and unique design.
I like it. |
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| steamyman |
wow- that's unusal.
I like it too. |
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| Les Marsh |
I have no idea, but it's very nice and I would love to see it when it has been cleaned and polished. 
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| Stilldrillin |
Hmmmm........
Hot air engine? Or some sorta pump? 
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| duncandumpertruck |
It is nice isn't it?! The import taxes to the UK always put me off bidding for things in the States  Looks like it once sat ontop of its boiler i'd say.
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| Les Marsh |
I still do not know, but somebody must because it is upto $457.00 
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| redryder |
I am a bidder.
More later. Gil |
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| johnreid |
Hmmmmmm | ||
| toxx |
... I've never seen anything like it. It's fascinating. Good luck, mate!
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| redryder |
Thank you.
I will share all I know after the auction is over and I hope I have a decent shot at it. Gil |
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| mogogear |
It looks like the top to a large boiler , adorned with a very nice engine .. I love the little beveled gearing - there is a lot going on on top of that dome!!
Can't wait to hear what Gil's knowledge reveals!! 
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| johnreid |
I so enjoy learning all of this stuff, I cant wait till the auction is over and hope that it goes to the Office of Steam. | ||
| Les Marsh |
Good luck. 
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| redryder |
Thanks Les.
I fear I may need to pay dearly for it. Gil |
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| Les Marsh |
When looking at the picture of the underneath of the engine, does it look as if its had a repair done to it?? | ||
| redryder |
It is difficult so say what that is. I assume you are referring to the whitish blotch. | ||
| Les Marsh |
Yes I am. | ||
| steamyjim |
Is it one of those sewing machine engines? | ||
| redryder |
Not a sewing machine piece. | ||
| redryder |
We are approaching the end of this auction so here is the dope on the unusual piece.
The mystery engine on ebay is a Colt Baxter. It is possibly a salesman's sample but more likely the original patent model as there are a few obvious changes on the full sized original engines. Note the gear driven governor on the model became a belt driven governor on all the production engines. Note also the oversized nuts and bolts on the model as was typical of a patent model which did not require everything to be in accurate scale. Note also the arch over the crank connecting the main bearings was pointed on the model and rounded in production. There was no other similar engine produced in it's day. These were manufactured by Colt (yes... Colt Firearms) beginning about 1868. Baxter, the inventor, was not able to pull off producing them so Colt took care of that and William Baxter handled the marketing. In the pictures here the larger red engine was the largest size made at 10 hp and this particular one was built on a 15 hp boiler which allowed steam to be piped away to power other steam powered tools and heat the plant. This engine is the actual one that powered the firearms production at Colt. They made about 300 of these engines per year ranging from 2 to 10 hp. Several sizes were available in the configuration with an oversized boiler , again so excess steam was put to other good use in the plants they powered and heated. The design was quite efficient in that with the steam cylinder inside the boiler , it was always at the proper temperature and did not suffer the inefficiency of rapid cooling as occurs with an external cylinder. Another big selling feature was the small floor space required. It was easy to tuck out of the way of production equipment and easy to move up stairs or an elevator to upper levels without tear down and reassembly. I will be up for bidding at the end but I fear it may go high, as a piece this important should. Gil 
The Daily Graphic in 1874 wrote: "Among the many steam engines in use, none has so successfully passed the test of experience as the well-known Baxter engine. It fully meets all requirements, and is in every respect an excellent and superior motor. A year ago we purchased one from Mr. William D. Russell, and in justice to the parties interested, we render a resord of it's work. The engine is located on the third floor of our premises, where the job-work and a large amount of printing is done. The Baxter drives two Hoe mammoth cylinder presses, one Hoe medium cylinder press, one Hoe super-royal cylinder press, one quarter-medium Gordon press, one-32 inch paper cutting machine, and one lift and force pump. The rooms are 25 X 80 X 10 feet, two of which we heat in winter with live steam from the boiler, and one with the exhaust steam alone, so that we heat 60,000 cobic feet of space besides doing the above-named work. to do these things we burn 276 pounds of coal per day of ten hours, being the average of five months' daily weighing. there has been no cost for repairs excepting in a new grate, and we pay no extra insurance because of the engine. This record is an excellent one, and makes the engine all it claims to be. we know it to be simple, safe, durable, and economical." 
10 hp with 15 hp boiler 
2 hp 
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| johnreid |
Fascinating | ||
| redryder |
I did not win it and I can't even say I was close even though I was the underbidder as the winner
had 2 bids entered in the last second and there is no way of knowing how high I would have needed to go to win. After a certain point it can be a large expense more than a win. I was on top for 4 of the last 5 seconds. I was not considering bidding any higher and if I had, I have a feeling I would only have made the winner pay more. It is a very early and important piece. Gil |
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| redryder |
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| Nick |
Very interesting read Gil.
That went a lot higher than I thought.
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| Les Marsh |
Fascinating to read, and thanks for sharing that with us, also sorry that you didn't win. | ||
| alan2525 |
Redryder,
"Another goodie straight from grandpa's basement workshop" ...I'm sure it was - an Ebay Power Seller with a feedback of over 8 thousand! An interesting little engine though and good to see something collectable going for it's real price too. A nice little find there for sure! Shame you missed out on winning though! |
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| redryder |
The seller clearly had no clue about what they had their hands on. If it was marketed properly with a correct title and description that included the information I provided above I could see it bringing 3,000 or more. If I were the owner of one of the original Colt-Baxter Steam Engines I would have bid higher just to have the little one on display with it.
Gil |
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| redryder |
It turns out I misjudged this piece and should have tried a bit harder to win it.
I have since learned it is a true landmark piece and likely the original builder's model or patent model from the late 1860's. Probably worth 6,000. I clearly had the right idea and I sure did miss on it's value. Gil |
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| Bubba |
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| Les Marsh |
Get in contact with the winning bidder to see if wants to sell at a modest profit. |
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| redryder |
I emailed the seller and the buyer and have not heard from either one. | ||
| Nick |
I hope they get back to you and it works out. 
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| tmuir |
Just caught up with this thread and sorry you didn't win it Gil.
It is amazing what can be found rotting away in someones basements. With luck it was a museum that boght it so other people can enjoy it too. |