c&P pilot - age?
Hi-
Love researching on different presses and its history. I saw several different models/generations (whatever you call it) of the Chandler & Price’s Pilot. How do you identify its age or the assembled date? Is there a thread or online site that I can find this info?
The reason I ask is because I saw two different variations of the Pilot with the C&P logo on the old style frame (one is straight, one is arched)
picture of the arched brand is from mlkandtoast’s blog ( photo illustration on restoring her/his press)
2nd pix of my friend’s.
Screen shot 2011-02-27 at 11.14.21 AM - Feb 27.png
Screen shot 2011-02-27 at 11.13.32 AM - Feb 27.png
Wow, I’ve never had my site cited before! I’m interested to hear what others say about this…
Megan
C&P made two different styles of Pilots: Regular (Old Style) and New Series. However, there also seems to be various transitional combinations between these two major classifications. I assume that C&P had certain parts left over when they were moving from one style to the next and just put together the presses based on the parts available.
Pay special attention to the frame arms (scalloped or not), platen adjustment bolts (locking nuts or not), the rear yoke shape (and whether or not PILOT is cast there).
This makes it very difficult to source major parts if something on a Pilot needs to be replaced. I have had multiple Pilots at one time and noticed that many of the parts were not interchangeable—even when dealing with two “Old Style” presses.
I believe the straight lettering indicates an older press, but not seeing it in context of the whole press it’s hard to know for sure. Could be as early as the 1890s. Later into the 20th century they stopped casting any of this information onto the platen rocker and instead just had metal id tags that they used instead. Presumably this saved money but perhaps also allowed for resellers of the Pilot to brand the machine accordingly.
Hope this helps,
Brad.
If it helps,
Here are some photos of my press.
http://mlkandtoast.posterous.com/getting-there-52
My press does not say Pilot on it, and the scalloping you are talking about is the old style frame, well, I have that too.
It is interesting that even among old style Pilot’s there’s still a lot of variation.
Megan,
The scalloping is in reference to the arms of what I believe are the oldest of the Pilots. There’s a photo here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dicharry/2766837760/in/set-7215760675126431...
Brad.
wow!! thank you so much Brad for the info - definitely informative. Helps me know what to look for too.
Lila’s press has “pilot” on her frame” so I think she’d be happy to hear that her press is older than she thought.
Megan, Plagiarism is a crime!! :) Of course, I’d give you credit!
Brad- That’s really interesting, thanks for that!
Slaplore- With the internet, you never know… but thanks for the cred!
Brad- While you are here, what type of spring did you use on (what I believe is) the yoke arm?