Edison C - frame cage questions

[Dennis Back]

First, hello to my fellow fan collectors.  Although I’m new to the forum, I started my fan collection in the 1970’s with a Westinghouse Tank fan (skeleton nameplate). 

 

I recently acquired an Edison C- frame six blade fan with nickel plate nameplate (no serial number).  It now has a four blade cage on it. 

 

My questions are:

1, Is it a repro cage?

2. If it’s a repro, is it an older repro?

3. Did Edison ever put this style cage on a 6 winger?

 

If my cage IS an original cage, I might consider keeping it on the fan. If it’s not, I will try to get Dan Nguyen to make me a proper cage.  I'm assuming the proper cage would NOT be the balloon cage. Am I correct? 

 

I wrote Dan a few days ago with an address I found on the net.  I’m not sure if I had the correct address as I haven't heard back from him. 

 

Let me know if you need more photos or info.  The two pics with the measurements show the thicker back frame circle and the other shows one of the struts. 

 

Dennis Back

[Dennis Back]

In addition to my questions above, any tips on how to tell the originals from the repros?

Thanks,

Dennis Back

[David Kilnapp]

Wow that’s a fabulous fan!! You don't see that fan very often if at all- very rare and valuable! Wish i could answer your questions. It looks original to me! Welcome to the club!

Edited September 15, 2024 by David Kilnapp

[Steve Cunningham]

Your fan should have the balloon cage.

[Russ Huber]

1 hour ago, Steve Cunningham said:

Your fan should have the balloon cage.

FWIW.......all examples I could find of the 6 wing Edison fans in electrical trade through a number of years sport the ballon guard.  Your guard appears authentic to me. What I question is, were there exceptions to the ballon guard on the 6 wing examples at some point in time of its manufacture? It appears the Ironclad example had exceptions.

If so, yours would be a lonely example. Edison battery fan catalogue material spanning over the time of its manufacture would be a big plus.

One thing to your fans benefit would be to rotate the front and rear guard ring splices to the bottom while you make up your mind to go with or go ballon. 🙂

 

Edited September 15, 2024 by Russ Huber

[Dennis Back]

Thanks for all the comments so far.  Here are two more photos showing the sides (not seen in my first post).

Another question....am I correct that there were two types of 6 wing cages? The balloon and the flatter cage?

Russ Huber mentioned that there might be exceptions with the cages on the 6 wingers.  From my phonograph experience, I know that Edison used whatever stock he had when assembling phonographs, especially at the beginnings and the ends of the item being assembled.  So maybe my 4 blade cage was what he had at the time?

[Bill Dunlap]

Bear in mind that the mounting points for the cage are not equidistant from the centerline of the armature shaft. So, rotating the cage 180 degrees will place the cage off center. Typically, the ring joints were placed at the bottom for appearance sake. But I would check that the cage is centered whichever way it is mounted.

Oh, and we typically measure brass wire in inches, which would make the spokes 1/10 inch and the back ring .125. 

From appearances, the cage looks like it is original. The 6 wing fans were noted for fancy gold decorations and the ballon cage.

Edited September 15, 2024 by Bill Dunlap

[Russ Huber]

11 minutes ago, Bill Dunlap said:

Bear in mind that the mounting points for the cage are not equidistant from the centerline of the armature shaft. So, rotating the cage 180 degrees will place the cage off center. Typically, the ring joints were placed at the bottom for appearance sake. But I would check that the cage is centered whichever way it is mounted.

Dennis, at your convenience, please try rotating your guard 180 degrees from your original picture with the ring splices at the bottom and post a picture of how it presents itself. 

[Dennis Back]

15 minutes ago, Russ Huber said:

Dennis, at your convenience, please try rotating your guard 180 degrees from your original picture with the ring splices at the bottom and post a picture of how it presents itself. 

Yes sir!!!  🙂

[Russ Huber]

Now, bear with me, please rotate the guard 180 degrees back to its original position and take a photo STRAIGHT forward on the fan like your image on your last post. 

[Dennis Back]

49 minutes ago, Russ Huber said:

Now, bear with me, please rotate the guard 180 degrees back to its original position and take a photo STRAIGHT forward on the fan like your image on your last post. 

That's why I had it with the connectors facing the top, and that's the way I received the fan.   😛

[Russ Huber]

Dennis, sorry about the hassle. You first images seen below gave me the impression your center guard ring was more off center to the right than your last shot.  My bet is your guard was replaced very possible with an original from past. It just doesn't sit well with me...FWIW.  Guard ring splices on top bug me. 🙂

Edited September 15, 2024 by Russ Huber

[Dennis Back]

5 minutes ago, Russ Huber said:

Dennis, sorry about the hassle. You first images seen below gave me the impression your center guard ring was more off center to the right than your last shot.  My bet is your guard was replaced very possible with an original from past. It just doesn't sit well with me...FWIW.  Guard ring splices on top bug me. 🙂

Russ.....absolutely no hassle!  Yes, you're right, it could have been replaced with an original 4 wing cage.  I'm just hoping the BLADE is original to this fan, and not replaced!

[Russ Huber]

1 hour ago, Dennis Back said:

I'm just hoping the BLADE is original to this fan, and not replaced!

I won't go there, but the blade looks nice. With a ballon guard it will look even better! 🙂

[Dennis Back]

By popular demand........I've straightend the cage so that I now can place the ring splices at the bottom where they're supposed to be.  

Edited September 19, 2024 by Dennis Back

[Russ Huber]

Amazing what a little finger muscle and a keen eyeball can do. 🙂

[Dennis Back]

15 minutes ago, Russ Huber said:

Amazing what a little finger muscle and a keen eyeball can do. 🙂

Or maybe I PHOTOSHOPPED IT!!!!   🤬😛