Vintage Blower Speed Query

[DanJohnson]

Any idea of the approximate speed the blower below was meant to run at? It has a belt/pulley and it isn't clear to me if it was meant to run off a motor or hand crank system.

Thanks in advance.

Dan

 

 

 

[Jim Coke]

Greetings Dan, 

          What you have is a blower from a lever pumper style forge. The drive pulley that is attached to a ratchet mechanism is about 18 inches in diameter. It is designed to be an on demand style ( when you need air to the forge you just pump. )  Look up early Champion forges with a lever . 
 

       Forge on and make beautiful things     
        Jim