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New Arrival, Jensen 10, Version "2.5" (??), Please Help
Posted by
Gregowen
on 31 Aug, 2021 14:55
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I recently received this early Jensen model 10, when I bought it I assumed from the photos that it was pretty much a standard model 10 version 2, as shown on the Jensen website (except for the generator contact set-up). When it arrived however, I soon realized that it has a later, smaller cylinder, although it has the same valve chest as the early 1935-37 versions (with only one screw on the side, as opposed to 3 on the later ones). Aside from that, and the different generator contacts, it otherwise appears the same as the 1935-37 versions, with the sky-blue paint (painted also on the generator windings), the lamp mounted on the base, decal, etc.
All I really have to go on is the photo on the Jensen site, and what few other photos I have been able to find here and there (so far). I do not have much knowledge at this point, so I would appreciate any comments from those who know far more than I do.
As far as I can tell, it appears to be entirely original, except for replaced sight glass gasket washers, and a replaced lamp bulb marked "Korea". The wires on the bottom from the generator to the lamp are clearly original, likewise the power cord and plug. I know nothing about the cord variations among early Jensen engines. Overall it is in remarkable condition, I have done nothing to it so far other than a light cleaning. The boiler retains a mirror finish, and what little oxidation there is can I am sure be polished out almost completely. Really looks to be a remarkable time capsule. It even included the original instruction sheet (4 x 5 1/4 inches) - see last photo, taken with it under plexiglass (I am guessing that these are pretty rare!). That may also provide a clue as to when it was made?
The engine also came with an enamelware funnel that looks as old as the engine. Could this have come with the engine from Jensen (I doubt it)??
I include here photos taken both with and without flash. The flash photos grossly exaggerate the oil stains on the blue paint, in natural light most of them are far less prominent. Can anyone tell me a good method to try to clean those stains properly, without marring the paint? The paint seems to be in very good condition otherwise.
This came out of an estate in Bakersfield, California, and I assume that the dry desert climate helped preserve it. Would be happy to post more photos. Any help appreciated - Thanks! - Greg
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#1 Reply
Posted by
Gregowen
on 31 Aug, 2021 14:58
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Forgot to note two other details - the firebox is all steel, but the chimney is brass.
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You snagged you an Uber rare one there Greg, nice plant for sure.
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Very nice engine. I have a couple like it myself. The one brush is on the armature contact the other one is on the shaft itself. The one on the shaft is the ground for the lamp post. The wire goes from that brush to lamp post base. Also noticed it has the square throttle valve. If you remove the plate on steam chest all 3 holes are there. I guess Jensen figured it was easier to just thread and put screws in all 3 holes instead of making the plate to cover them. I would say it is late 30s
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#4 Reply
Posted by
Gregowen
on 31 Aug, 2021 21:23
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Thanks Bruce and Randy - I just found a very recent e-bay sold listing of a model 10 that was stated to be 1947, and it had the exact same cylinder configuration. Interesting, because it also had the later dark blue base with the lamp on the base, and a non-riveted boiler, but it also had the earlier Jensen decal. I believe that it was probably earlier than 1947, but it suggests to me that maybe they were using whatever parts were available in production, maybe using older parts if they ran out of the more recent ones? Regardless, all things considered I believe that Randy's estimate of late 1930s is probably correct (I see that you have a lot of Jensen engines!), and if you have a couple just like mine, then it is obviously a known quantity.
Any suggestions on the best way to clean up the stains on the blue paint?
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Most of the time the stains are from rust on the castiron under paint. If you try to clean it off the paint comes with it. This is just what I've run it to while cleaning. I have a few Jensens 21 different model 10s some where around 75 total Jensens.
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#6 Reply
Posted by
Gregowen
on 31 Aug, 2021 22:56
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Thanks Randy, that makes sense, as it seemed strange to me that the engine would have so much oil stain, when the boiler and the rest of it shows so little sign of being used very much. Looking at it closer, it looks like underlying rust is the issue, I might try to clean up a bit more and see what happens but I won't push it. In normal light it looks pretty good already, I would not want it to be mistaken for a re-paint! 75 Jensen engines is amazing!
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If you ever consider letting go of this engine please let me know. It is in alot better condition then both of the ones I have now.
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#8 Reply
Posted by
Dampfopa
on 01 Sep, 2021 12:14
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Congratulations on this purchase. Very well preserved, beautiful machine.
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Very nice Jensen 10 you have there! I would agree with Randy that your engine is late 1930s. The only thing that looks out of place on it, is the cord. Once you get out of the very early ‘30s engines, there seems to be four very distinct types of cloth covered cords that Tom Jensen used. The first is a black Leviton cord with 5 gold stitches that was used up to about 1936 or so. Second was a black Belden cord with white stitches that form a spiral around it. This cord lasted roughly until WWII. Post war engines generally have a black and white stitched cord with a hard rubber plug. All previous cords would generally have a Bakelite plug. The last cloth cord style in the late 1940s is a black cord with two white stitches also forming a spiral around the cord, but it is different than the earlier Belden cord.
I feel your engine should have the Belden cord. I’ve never seen an original engine of that vintage with another style of cord. None of this is written in stone. These are just my observations after more than 25 years of collecting and owning well over 100 different Jensen engines.
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#10 Reply
Posted by
Gregowen
on 02 Sep, 2021 22:02
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Thanks so much for your comments and photos - together they provide a very informative guide to the cords of early Jensen engines, very useful for anyone interested in dating the early models. Mine clearly has the late 40s type of cord, so maybe the cord was replaced at some point? The engine shows very little signs of use (especially the boiler), so I have to wonder what happened, if it is late 30s, as everything else suggests. At least it does match one of the known early types of cords. I could post a better photo of the plug, if that might help also.
Another question I have concerns the color. I read on one collector's website that the sky blue color was only used in 1936-37, the story being that Jensen found a quantity of that blue paint to buy at a bargain price, and since it was during the depression, they were trying to save money every way possible. Once it ran out, they switched to the darker blue! Any truth to that story, or any further information regarding dating Jensen engines, based on the sky blue paint color?
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Thanks so much for your comments and photos - together they provide a very informative guide to the cords of early Jensen engines, very useful for anyone interested in dating the early models. Mine clearly has the late 40s type of cord, so maybe the cord was replaced at some point? The engine shows very little signs of use (especially the boiler), so I have to wonder what happened, if it is late 30s, as everything else suggests. At least it does match one of the known early types of cords. I could post a better photo of the plug, if that might help also.
Another question I have concerns the color. I read on one collector's website that the sky blue color was only used in 1936-37, the story being that Jensen found a quantity of that blue paint to buy at a bargain price, and since it was during the depression, they were trying to save money every way possible. Once it ran out, they switched to the darker blue! Any truth to that story, or any further information regarding dating Jensen engines, based on the sky blue paint color?
Look closely at your cord and see if there are any other colors beside the black and white. I’ve zoomed in on your photos and it looks to me like there is some other color stitched in a spiral on your cord. The genuine Jensen cord only has black and white in it. Your plug looks like the correct Bakelite plug.
The sky blue or robin’s egg blue paint was definitely used in the late 1930s. I feel it was used over a greater span than just ‘36 and ‘37. I feel like it was used from about 1935 on up to WWII. I have an engine identical to yours, but with dark blue paint. The time period before and after WWII is when a lot of earlier and later design elements were being mixed up to fill orders and use up inventory.
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#12 Reply
Posted by
Gregowen
on 03 Sep, 2021 19:15
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Thanks, I have checked the cord up close under magnification and with a flashlight, there are no other colors there, but some parts of the black fabric covering look more brownish, I assume due to age.
By a fortunate coincidence, a recent post (also yesterday) by Gil RedRyder shows four different model 10 engines; all are the standard 1930s type with sky blue paint, lamp on the base, and riveted boilers (and all four in excellent condition). Notably, two have the early leviton cord pattern, but the OTHER two have the same later black cord as mine. After seeing them, I did a quick search to look for other examples with the same cord, on e-bay, and wherever I could find them. I was able to find photos of a number of sky blue engines with riveted boilers that also had the same cord, including a couple more of the standard model 10, as well as a model 5, and 25 (maybe 20 also). As well as some later 1940w engines with the dark blue paint and non-riveted boilers.
All things considered, it would seem that the later black and white cord was also in use for some of the 1930s engines. I suspect that they were just using what they had, and what was available, and the black and white cord common on the post-WW2 engines ended up being the type they adopted as standard, but the same cord was also being used much earlier. That would make sense in the 1930s, when steady supply might have been a problem? The only other explanation is that all of the otherwise 1930s sky blue riveted boiler engines that I have seen had their cords replaced in later years, and all with the same black and white cords that became standard after WW2. Which I believe is highly unlikely, especially since almost all of them looked to be in excellent condition.
Just my two cents, I think that trying to solve little puzzles like this is half the fun of collecting old treasures!
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My brother got this Steam Engine but it has been messed with in the past and the glass tube is busted/missing (along with the lower screw).
I sent photo's to Jensen and the nice lady thought it was 50s / #10. With so much missing she suggested converting it to fuel pellet - which is what I think a previous owner was trying to do to it. There is some kind of a metal shelf inside that moves pretty much freely inside.
I do have the option of sending it to Jensen but I was told they most likely wouldn't be able to make it back proper / electric.
Thoughts?
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#14 Reply
Posted by
Nick
on 30 Mar, 2022 10:22
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You just need a heater (Jensen still sells them) and a new firebox, which you have a good pattern to bend one up from. I would recommend putting it back to original… Jensen was off by about 20 years on the age.
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