Total newbie buys early GE fan at estate sale and realizes the blades are brass as well as cage and a tag says its 1901. Could this be real?

[Christopher Tuck]

So I went by an estate sale a couple of doors down, house was owned by elderly couple who appeared to be pretty solvent. Lots of items for sale and then in the garage there was a table fan on the floor with no price tag, it was right next to a box fan trying to cool the workroom next to the garage asked the price and he said, no it was not for sale, I said, not the working fan but the old one on the floor next to it. Called his boss for a price and it was 50% off day so when he said $65 but today would be 32.50 I jumped on it. Got home and am seeing an old Antique shop label saying 1901 Anti. que All Brass fan $50 firm! 

So on cleaning up the blades do not attract magnet but the body does, the cage does not attract magnet either Model number is G34377. It runs on slow, haven't tried any of the other speeds. There appears to be a reservoir with a wick on back which I put some machine oil in. I have run it for a few minutes and it seems to be fine, no noise or getting hot. s should I do to service it and how best to clean and perhaps polish the brass??

 

 

[Kim Frank]

Without seeing a picture I’d guess it a bit later than 1901. TNot sure what G34377 is but the 34017 is a BMY, SMY, or AUU Model if I remember correctly. You did well for yourself . Can’t hardly buy the brass oil reservoir for what you paid for the whole fan.

Edited July 30, 2023 by Kim Frank

[Bill Dunlap]

The magnet will stick to the motor because there is steel in there even if the body is brass, so you'll need to check more closely.