Antique Steam Engine from Doorknob

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

Hello,

My first post to this forum so go easy please!

I own a model engine which was made, using hand tools as far as I'm aware, by my great grandfather's great uncle.

I have a newspaper article from the 1930s which mentions it as part of the collection of oddities in my great grandfathers house, it mentioned the date in that but I don't have it to hand, it would be mid Victorian I think.

Some photos follow, hopefully:

 

My late Dad had seen it running once,he mentioned it needed a leak fixing I think. I have never seen it turn but it does turn by hand. I'm really interested to know if this rings a bell with anyone,if they've seen it before or know of it being a 'done thing' by hobbyists back then.

It's always fascinated me and the more I can learn about it the better. Any ideas on how to start it or go about checking if it's safe to try and run would also be welcome. Anything you can tell me, basically!

There is an inscription, on the base (written on paper that is now burnt!) that it was in the order of 1700 hrs work!

 

Edited By JasonB on 15/05/2019 19:29:02

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

What a brilliant contraption

MichaelG.

[PlasmaParticipant @plasma]

Great grimsby! That is amazing, deserves a place in the national collection! It is or must be unique.

Green with envy my friend.

Mick

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Hello Michael,

That really is unusual – more photos!

Neil

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Coolest steam engine ever! Yes more photos please.

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

If it needs fixing, and you don't feel that you can, someone on here would be proud to fix it for you.

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

Wow – I’m touched by the responses above, didn’t lose Dad long ago and he’d also be chuffed to hear it spoken of so highly.

Ill pop some more photos on in a bit when I’m at a computer-photobucket isn’t playing too nice on my phone.

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

I found the article I mentioned. It says my great grandfather estimated it to have been completed in 1826, and that it won special merit in “a” Crystal Palace exhibition around that date.

That confuses me, since “the” Crystal Palace wasn’t built until 1856 if I’m not mistaken. I can’t see any mention of the builder in the great exhibition catalogue either (his name was Richard Westerman). So perhaps the build date is off too. The hours worked on it were a mere 1280, not 1700, I stand corrected!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Michael Hudson 6 on 16/05/2019 07:11:28:

That confuses me, since “the” Crystal Palace wasn’t built until 1856 if I’m not mistaken.

.

I'm pretty sure that Crystal Palace was built for the 1851 Great Exhibition

MichaelG.

.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2004/07/27/history_feature.shtml

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 16/05/2019 07:30:43

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

Oops you’re right 1851 and moved to Penge common in 1854

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Michael Hudson 6 on 16/05/2019 07:11:28:

I found the article I mentioned. It says my great grandfather estimated it to have been completed in 1826, and that it won special merit in “a” Crystal Palace exhibition around that date.

That confuses me, since “the” Crystal Palace wasn’t built until 1856 if I’m not mistaken. I can’t see any mention of the builder in the great exhibition catalogue either (his name was Richard Westerman). So perhaps the build date is off too. The hours worked on it were a mere 1280, not 1700, I stand corrected!

Not unusual for stories passed down a few generations to blur around a kernel of truth! You have to allow for misunderstandings and faulty memory. In this case, 5 and 2 are often confused (admittedly not as often as 7 and 1) and although the Crystal Palace was famously built for the Great Exhibition, it was thereafter used for many, many other exhibitions until it burnt down in 1936.

Graces Guide reveals a few mid-Victorian engineering Westerman's but no Richard. (Not done a proper search: Grace's seem to have started charging…)

More photos please! I'm wondering what it is. Could be a proof of concept for a real product like an oil lamp pump. (The Victorians tried to steam power everything!) The base looks as it would take a glass dome, suggesting it's for admiring not running. Novelty or prototype? It's a mystery…

Dave

Edit: trouble with the link.

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 16/05/2019 09:24:37

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that it has always been under a glass dome, the newspaper article mentions it as well.

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

Right lets see if this works:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited By Michael Hudson 6 on 16/05/2019 10:08:34

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

… it does indeed

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

Edited above to put the photos in directly rather than link to the album

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I think that Dave [s.o.d] is on the right track.

The clock-wheel gearing suggests that it might be an 'adjuster' of some sort … maybe for fuel supply, or the wick, of an oil lamp [?]

Intriguing !!

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 16/05/2019 10:25:58

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

It is definitely a steam engine. It has run and is not purely decorative. Apologies if I misinterpret the questioning of it being decorative vs functioning/functional!

We've alwyas understood it was an exercise in craftsmanship rather than some professional undertaking. I need to find out more about great-great uncle Westerman!

Edited By Michael Hudson 6 on 16/05/2019 10:26:59

Edited By Michael Hudson 6 on 16/05/2019 10:28:07

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Michael Hudson 6 on 16/05/2019 10:24:22:

It is definitely a steam engine. It has run and is not purely decorative.

.

I wasn't suggesting otherwise … simply that [like Dave] I think it's a steam engine with a purpose.

MichaelG.

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

Sorry, misunderstood you there, see my preemptive edit, or so I thought..

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

crossed in the æther

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Hi Michael,

Sorry for the confusion – it's definitely a steam engine, and an interesting one. Such things were (and are) made to be admired as working ornaments, or to demonstrate an invention, as apprentice pieces, to advertise a makers capabilities, and by hobbyists. It was the clockwork look in the first photo that makes me think there might be more to it, but the new front view shows, I think, it's only imitating a real engine.

Whatever the reason it was made, it's a good 'un. I've never seen anything quite like it.

Dave

[Michael Hudson 6Participant @michaelhudson6]

No need to apologise, it was my misunderstanding. The newspaper article mentions that the "needle-like eccentric has recently become detached". To me it all looks in place – and I know it's run since the article was written – does it look like anything might be missing?

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Well, I've been looking for a new project, something small. Will have to keep an eye out at the garage sales for a brass doorknob now! Absolutely intriguing.

Anyone have any idea what is that small clevis-like fitting sticking up from the top of the doorknob? Right next to the steam shut-off valve. It clearly has a small pin in it, like a pivot pin, and a short lever that would pivot on it, possibly the broken remains of a longer lever? But what would its purpose be?

My only guess would be a dead-weight safety valve but it just does not look right for that.

Edited By Hopper on 16/05/2019 12:43:58

[Andrew EvansParticipant @andrewevans67134]

You should try bringing it to the Antiques Roadshow.

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