I have just bought a Champion Blower & Forge Post Drill - "No. 200 (not 200 1/2) - August 9 1904". I would like to know what it's original colour was. Bought in Melbourne, Australia. Any help would be appreciated.

Ben
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I am not sure if they had any paint of any kind on them. When i reconditioned mine I found only a thick coat of oil, grease and a light patina of rust and no sign of paint anywhere. If you have ever tried to strip paint from an object with that much detail there is always some in a nook or cranny some where.

A lot of machinery from this era was painted gloss black with highliting on any raised letters or numbers - this was often done in silver or gold. I have also seen a few old pieces that appeared to have been painted bright red and they were also highlited with metallic paints.

I have a Champion 400 blower with abit of paint still on it. Yep, black it is and the raised letters were a pale gold, or so I am told.

Thanks Glen, have added some details. Ben

the champion post drill i have is red(like a caboose)and it seems to be the original color.it came from le pas,manitoba off of a farm the guys grandfather owned.the gent had fond memories of cranking it for his grandpa.i use it quite often,they take you back to a different era.