Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Hi,

I scraped together a few dollars (sold my Winchester 9410 Packer) and picked up an older Jensen Model 55.  I can't quite pin down when it's made or what the details are.  It seems to have conflicting clues.  Maybe it was even refurbished at some point?  The nice fellow I bought it from is in his mid-80's and can't remember where he got it from.

Using this site as a guide: https://tinplatetimes.com/Steam%20Engines/Jensen%20Chronology/chronology.htm

* The reversing gear puts it as a 1947 or 1948 model
* The plywood base puts it as a 1951 to 1979 model
* The contoured wood handles date it as 2003 or newer
* The rubber cord make it 1949 or newer
* The brass plat puts it at 1947 to 1951
* The lack of a UL decal says its 1949 or older
* It cast iron base is robin's egg blue

Of particular note, the brass plate has had the model and wattage struck out and new numbers stamped in.  I remember reading that Mr. Jensen would use whatever was left over and laying around to use up old/excess stock.

I also noted that the boiler staps are secured with screws or bolts.  Aren't these normally rivets?

Any thoughts on what I've got here?  Any thoughts on its value (once I clean and polish it)?

Paul

Nice find, Paul!
I will say that I have seen more than one model 55 that appear to be pieced together with parts from various time periods. I have one myself. There may have been a period where Tom Jensen looked around and noticed a surplus of old parts and just decided to use them up instead of having them just sit there, which is something he was known for. Tom Jensen cared more about getting engines out the door than he did specifics about a certain model. I would say your engine was probably built in the very late ‘60s to early ‘70s. This is the stuff that makes collecting Jensens so fascinating.