5.01-9: Moffat Ltd 1945 Compressor

HHCC Accession No. 2003.096	HHCC Classification Code: 5.01-9

Description:

A single cylinder refrigeration compressor of early mid 20th century vintage, with ‘Moffat Ltd’ embossed on the head. Crafted after the clean lines of the ‘Chieftain’ compressor, Tecumseh Products Co., with 11-inch flywheel in red, over painted in black. its genealogy is uncertain. A reminder of the proliferation of compressor manufacturers, near manufacturers and models that flooded the market for small, FHP, open system refrigeration compressors in the 1940, prior to the wide spread adoption of the hermetically sealed motor compressor assembly, ‘Moffat Ltd’ 1945.

Group:

5.01 Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Make:

‘Moffat Ltd’, genealogy unknown

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Model:

Body casting no’s include RC11; 106; 63A112, Made in United states of America

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Size:

10x12x 12’h

Weight:

28 lbs.

Circa:

1945

Rating:

Exhibit, education, and research quality, illustrating the clean lines and sophisticated construction of single cylinder, FHP, refrigeration compressors flooding the market in the 1940’s, prior to the mass marketing of hermetic motor compressor assemblies

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Provenance:

From York County (York Region) Ontario, once a rich agricultural hinterlands, attracting early settlement in the last years of the 18th century. Located on the north slopes of the Oak Ridges Moraine, within 20 miles of Toronto, the County would also attract early ex-urban development, to be come a wealthy market place for the emerging household and consumer technologies of the early and mid 20th century.

This artifact was discovered in the 1950’s in the used stock of T. H. Oliver, Refrigeration and Electric Sales and Service, Aurora, Ontario, an early worker in the field of agricultural, industrial and consumer technology.

Carries the original T. H. Oliver service tag marked ‘Trade in, Glenville (dairy), Harvey Bell Pop cooler, Aug 1959’

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Donor:

G. Leslie Oliver, The T. H. Oliver HVACR Collection