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

Gil, a great piece... But I thought it was only conjecture it's a Jensen engine?? Do we really know??

If I remember right, it's a dental pump. Probably for sucking blood and saliva when doing dental work.

Hi Chris, that it is a dental pump was apparently speculation on the part of the seller. It does look like some sort of lab equipment however the 6 volt motor with a very heavy duty power cable with terminal lugs for an automotive battery strongly suggests it was for some sort of field use.


I am not saying this was a military piece but it was quite possibly, even likely, made during the correct period, has the 6 volt motor and cable for field use. If you combine that with already gathered knowledge that Tom Jensen Sr.'s war effort work involved equipment that could be used for a machine that "sniffed" and analyzed air for poisonous gas. While we cannot say anything with certainty at least at this point and now we have something to go on as I expect that more of these will surface now that we are all on the lookout for them. Add to this the olive drab color you can see in the shielding protecting the power cable.
Or was it in a mobile dental office?


As far as it being a Jensen engine, yes it is absolutely a Jensen engine and a #50 at that.


I have an identical base with no components but all the holes drilled and tapped precisely as this one and a Jensen 50 steam cylinder is the only piece that will fit it.


I would love to know more about it landing in Australia. I found that the seller has had it for a number of years so I have emailed him for any info on where and how he found it.


Gil