The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

redryder · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks Les.
I fear I may need to pay dearly for it.

Gil
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Les · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:21 pm Post subject:

When looking at the picture of the underneath of the engine, does it look as if its had a repair done to it??
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redryder · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:26 pm Post subject:

It is difficult so say what that is. I assume you are referring to the whitish blotch.
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Les · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject:

Yes I am.
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steamyjim · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:58 am Post subject:

Is it one of those sewing machine engines?
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redryder · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

Not a sewing machine piece.
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redryder · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:17 am Post subject:

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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redryder

johnreid · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:22 am Post subject:

Fascinating
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redryder · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:11 am Post subject:

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

redryder · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:18 am Post subject:

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redryder

Nick · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:45 am Post subject:

Very interesting read Gil.

That went a lot higher than I thought.

Les · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:01 am Post subject:

Fascinating to read, and thanks for sharing that with us, also sorry that you didn't win.
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Les - Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternatives.

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alan2525 · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:27 pm Post subject:

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!

redryder · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:13 pm Post subject:

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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Steam on,
redryder