Where can I find information on Champion blowers(especially handcrank)
I'm curious about model numbers mainly.I did some surfing and searching and came up empty handed.
I have two of the old things and have no idea what models they are.
I need pictures, or at least drawings if possible.
James

Jayco, Hmmm... I'm guessing maybe a look-see into the U.S. patent office may bring some enlightenment. I have a couple of 400's and the gear housings are covered with patent numbers cast in.
This could lead to drawings, etc.
Just now heading out the door but I will post those numbers here later tonight. Dan:)

I think the best you're gonna do is find old advertising. These things didn't come with paperwork like stuff does today.
I have seen a dvd with the Champion catalog on it. Shows different sizes and a brief description, iirc. I'll look and see if I can find it.
I believe the 400 was the largest handcrank.

O.K. Jayco, I'm back home and I got the numbers. Here is what is cast into the body of a Champion 400 blower...

CHAMPION
BLOWER & FORGE CO.
LANCASTER, PA.
U.S.A.
PATENT NOS
676322....34881
676323....34882
676324....34883
697629....34884
34880.....34885
PATENTED
APRIL 15 1902,
JUNE 11 AND JULY 30 1901

Hope this helps...Dan:)

Thanks Bruce and Thanks Dan!
Now I'll have to do some looking!

Jayco,

I have a reproduction copy of a 1909 Champion catalog that has blowers in it. I could scan some pages and email them to you, if you want, for reference. Just PM me your email address if interested.

Jayco,

I have a reproduction copy of a 1909 Champion catalog that has blowers in it. I could scan some pages and email them to you, if you want, for reference. Just PM me your email address if interested.

could ya email them to me also? I bought a blower from Richard

Thanks Keykeeper......PM sent your way.
James

Key keeper,
Could you scan them and make them available via the site somewhere please? There seem to be a lot of questions on blowers here.

Jayco,
There USED to be either a Champion or Buffalo catalog on Gogglebooks. I know I have it downloaded at home, but can't remember off the top of my head which one it is. If it's the champion catalog I'll send it along this weekend when I get a chance. If it's not, I'll send it along anyway cause it's full of all manner of neat things. I just checked googlebooks and can't seem to find it again, but it seems they've lost alot recently (over copyright issues???) anybody know what's going on with that?
-Aaron @ the SCF

Hopefully these posted. I will post more as I get time in the gallery. James, I couldn't get them small enough to email with my slow as heck dialup. Sorry.

Everyone else, there ya go! Click on them, they are bigger in the gallery.

Here's another I just scanned.



And the last one for tonight...



Some of these will enlarge in the gallery, just click the photo once there. Enjoy.

Thanks Key!:)

If you google 'Champion Blower catalog on cd' you can go to a website where you can purchase the entire catalog on CD Rom. I bought a copy for reference material years ago when the Canadian dollar wasn't doing too well and I still believe it is worth every penny. (I am unsure if mentioning the website would be too bold.)
Good luck

Hey all,
Found the google book I was talking about earlier. It ended up being the Buffalo Forge Company and NOT the Champion (leave it to my memory....). If anyone is interested do a search on google books for "1896 illustrated general catalogue" and it should be the one at the top of the list.
-Aaron @ the SCF

Thanks Aaron! Not to steal this thread`s thunder or nuttin but can any tell me what model(such as 400 , 25) my Champion blower i bought from Richard is?Champion Blower from Richard - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

Hammerkid,

I've looked all through my 1909 catalog, can't find a single blower like that one. My guess is that it's a later manufactured blower, probably for a portable forge, judging by the orientation of the gearbox, and position of the mounting bracket. Keep looking, you'll find it's vintage. I'll keep an eye out for anything I can find like it by Champion.

That one looks like the little Buffalo Bufco blowers that are on ebay a lot, just a Champion brand, which leads me to think it's for a portable setup. The little Bufco's weigh very little compared to a shop style blower.

-keykeeper (the other aaron!)

Hammerkid,

I've looked all through my 1909 catalog, can't find a single blower like that one. My guess is that it's a later manufactured blower, probably for a portable forge, judging by the orientation of the gearbox, and position of the mounting bracket. Keep looking, you'll find it's vintage. I'll keep an eye out for anything I can find like it by Champion.

That one looks like the little Buffalo Bufco blowers that are on ebay a lot, just a Champion brand, which leads me to think it's for a portable setup. The little Bufco's weigh very little compared to a shop style blower.

-keykeeper (the other aaron!)

Ok thanks!!!! I got this old bufco ! My great- Grandpa`s Buffalo Blower (for coal forge) - Blacksmith Photo Gallery
hope to clean it up soon

This 'Champion blower I.D." thing has been more difficult than I thought it would. WOW!

Though I don't have any catalogs or any other reference materials for Champion blowers, here are a couple guesses.

Remember these are GUESSES, and might turn out to be wrong.

Hammerkid, I think the red Champion blower you have is like my smaller one. I,m guessing they made the same blower in a 'legless' version for smaller 'rivet' type forges and also a freestanding version(like mine) on a 3 legged stand. As near as I can tell, the fan and gearbox is the same.
They just changed the FAN housing to create two different models.

I remember seeing one other like mine.......I think Tryin-it has one. I will ask what he knows about them.

I still don't know what model we're talking about yet, but maybe that info will come.
All this 'not knowing' just makes me all the more curious.........this is like a detective's case!

Thanks to all who have helped on this thread......didn't mean to cause a lot of research and hard work!

Here's some pics of 'the mystery blower',.......these pics aren't that good and the old machine needs a good cleaning.......maybe some red paint?
James

those look just like the two i have. mine have model no. 40 on the gearbox. I Don't know anything about them except that they've been in my family since my dad was a kid. sorry i can't help.

hmmmm! I `ll find out if it takes the rest of my life ! LOL:p My is away at paint today ,well at my aunts just up the hilll lol ! She is paintin` the letters black for me ! Yeah James mine is red cause that is what Richard T. painted it!!!!:D

Jayco,

I think you are on to something there, changing the housing would make it appear different, even if the innards are the same.

I would surmise that over the several years of manufacturing different blowers, slight changes were made in appearance, but alot of the mechanicals stayed the same.

The search goes on.....

aaron c.

My forge says: Langcaster Geared Blower NO 40 -Champion Blower & Forge, Langcaster, PA USA. It is set up as a portable forge with a tube frame and metal wheels. Any comments or input?