SOLD. Additional steam engines to be listed this week. 

 

Circa 1880 Ornate Open Bottle-frame Single Cylinder Reversing Steam Jewelers Engine

 

This rare form finely executed fractional horsepower steam engine was purchased circa 1950 from the estate of a watchmaker/jeweler in Chelmsford MA.

 

Details include a single cylinder of approx 1 1/8 diameter bore w/ a 1 1/2 inch stroke, cylinder side mounted valve chest w/ removable four bolt cover w/ top mounted 1/4 inch diameter threaded inlet port and side mounted exhaust port, brass jacket with a 2 inch diameter five bolt head supported on an exquisite heavy cast iron open bottle frame, the frame with integral cast and machine cross-head guides, single frame incorporated main bearing with removable shim-adjustable cap. Driving details include a 1 3/4 inch diameter crankshaft disc with double tapered connecting rod with adjustable gibbed, cottered, strapped crank disc and crosshead bearings. The finely orchestrated brass crosshead with 1/4 inch diameter piston-rod and adjustable knurled cylinder packing gland. 

 

Other fine details include a tapered and turned 6 1/2 inch hand lever operated Stephenson reverse linkage. Linkage details include frame-mounted lever adjustment sector with knurled thumb-screw stop, lever cross shaft through frame mounted heavy brass bearing, tapered lever arm with highly detailed yoke to twin 3/8 inch dia. crankshaft with twin eccentrics, adjustable straps and linkage to reversing quadrant with yoke to valve rod and brass adjustable packing gland.

 

Final details include a 5 3/4 inch diameter cast and machined flywheel with 1 inch polished face, 6 ornate cast spokes and 1/2 inch polished rim. Heavy cast base details include 3 3/4 inch diameter frame mounting section with integral 3 1/2 inch x 7 1/2 inch box-bed frame with 5 3/4 inch x 1 1/4 inch recessed flywheel pit and tapered outboard bearing pedestal with adjustable brass cap. All mounted on a 9 inch x 9 inch x 1 3/4 inch mahogany plinth. Overall height to top of cylinder 12 inches. Width over shaft 7 inches. 

 

Period engines of this size and design are seldom seen, often used by watchmakers and jewelers to power overhead bench line-shafting with flat-belt transmission to a small lathe buffing, indexing drills and other fractional horsepower bench tools. The engine is in excellent original condition with aged patina with delicate gold brightwork in a floral motif. 

 

The engine operates well on a few pounds of air or steam. 

 

We are pleased and honored to offer this engine and other items as a new member of Fleaglass. 

 

Weight 16lbs