Photo by David Friend Productions, San Diego, California
ENGLISH OVERHEAD MINE PUMPING STEAM ENGINE MODEL
06-033. English, mid 19th century, unsigned. This rare steam engine model form consists of a decorative four-sided cathedral arched main frame with twin overhead crosshead guides each supported on decorative tapered pillars with finely executed cross-supports, the overhead crosshead guides with double-tapered cross-shaft support and twin roller crosshead, 18" tall overall. The single inverted vertical or "true vertical" cylinder of approximately 1" bore x 3" stroke with removable heads and brass raised bands, side mounted valve-chest with rotative ported valve, twin connecting-rods with under-mounted crankshaft driven eccentric to valve lever and linkage to under-table hand-lever with through table rod to upper gallery hand-lever with lift-off for disengaging valve linkage for starting engine on center. Other fine exotic details include what is believed to be an under-table mounted brass condenser pump, feed-pump and transfer pump each with associated fine linkage and exquisite detail. The heavy brass main frame with a dark brown tint aged finish incorporating cross-frame supports each with a main bearing with removable cap. The all brass 9 1/2" diameter six-spoke flywheel with 1/2" face exhibits finely detailed tapered and rounded spokes with a keyed spider-hub all supported on a 5" x 7" brass bed-plate mounted on a tapered marbleized cast base with original 11" x 10" ornate stepped base with incorporated molding. The model is in very good display condition and is also fully operational using compressed air.
