top of page
Kirbys 1945 to 1955
Kirby Model 505 (1945 to 1947)
Here we have the first Kirby model to be made after WW2 starting in September 1945.
This model ran for three years with various modifications along the way.
(There was no model 506 or 507).
This model ran for three years with various modifications along the way.
(There was no model 506 or 507).
Kirby Model 505
This model was the first to have the belt lifter. Although it didn't appear until 1946.
Kirby Model 505
Front View.
Kirby Model 505
This model now has 4 thicker black wheels all of equal size.
Made of a vulcanised rubber.
Made of a vulcanised rubber.
Kirby Model 505
The Em-tor tray is now made of black phenolic type material instead being metal like on the previous models.
Kirby Model 505
Kirby Model 505 with it's light shining the way and looking for dirt wherever it may hide.
Kirby Model 505
Kirby Model 505 with the hose attached ready for above-the-floor cleaning.
A nicely decorated black hose with red and gold accents.
The Kirby Model 505 was the first model to have a separate floor polishing head making it easier to attach to the unit.
A nicely decorated black hose with red and gold accents.
The Kirby Model 505 was the first model to have a separate floor polishing head making it easier to attach to the unit.
Kirby Model 505
Full cross view.
Previous to 1947 the 505 still had a floor polisher that attached underneath to the main power nozzle. Then in 1947 the floor polisher became it's own nozzle making it easier for the user to attach to the unit.
Previous to 1947 the 505 still had a floor polisher that attached underneath to the main power nozzle. Then in 1947 the floor polisher became it's own nozzle making it easier for the user to attach to the unit.
Kirby Model 508 (1948-1949)
Kirby Model 508. The first Kirby to have an updated colour scheme to a nice grey colour.
Kirby Model 508
The Kirby logo on the belt lifter is actually based on James Kirby's signature as I mentioned in the Model C section but from the 509 the logo is altered slightly.
Kirby Model 508
The Em-tor tray on the 508 is still black in colour.
On the Kirby Model 509 it becomes grey and is made of a 'polystyrene' type material according to some collectors.
The bag is now made of a type of corduory with a fabric fold over the metal bag hanger.
In the manual it shows the bag having the same style logo as the previous models.
However I've never seen one of these bags in real life.
I've spoken to quite a few Kirby collectors about this and they report the same.
The new logo has a pair of stripes running straight up and down the middle of the bag.
This design lasted until the Kirby Model 512.
On the Kirby Model 509 it becomes grey and is made of a 'polystyrene' type material according to some collectors.
The bag is now made of a type of corduory with a fabric fold over the metal bag hanger.
In the manual it shows the bag having the same style logo as the previous models.
However I've never seen one of these bags in real life.
I've spoken to quite a few Kirby collectors about this and they report the same.
The new logo has a pair of stripes running straight up and down the middle of the bag.
This design lasted until the Kirby Model 512.
Kirby Model 508
Cross angled view of the power plant. You can see the black carbon bush screw covers used to access the carbon bushes. You can also see the handle tilt latch used to tilt the front of the Kirby up to go over the edges of rugs etc.
Kirby 508,509 etc handle grip.
Here we have a grey handle grip used on the Kirbys 508, 509 & 510. The same ornate pattern as the 3C to 505 handle grip.
The rubber was of poor quality and very soon fell apart and needed to be replaced with a newer smooth grey handle grip.
The rubber was of poor quality and very soon fell apart and needed to be replaced with a newer smooth grey handle grip.
Kirby new style plug
The later 505s and 508s shared this style cord.
Kirby 508 and Kirby 509 hoses
With the introduction of the Kirby 509 the hose was improved and had a new hose end, as shown on the right, compared to the 508s hose on the left of the picture.
The 509 hose has a permanently fitted metal pipe.
The 508s hose was grey with a red and silver stripes running through it compared to the 505s black hose with red and gold stripes.
The 509 hose has a permanently fitted metal pipe.
The 508s hose was grey with a red and silver stripes running through it compared to the 505s black hose with red and gold stripes.
Kirby Model 508 attachments...
Here we have the Kirby 508 attachments, storage boxes, floor polisher, spray jar and floor wax.
The 508 was the first Kirby to have the Kirby cabinet to store your attachments in.
The floor polisher is improved over the 505s brush roll design.
The 508 was the first Kirby to have the Kirby cabinet to store your attachments in.
The floor polisher is improved over the 505s brush roll design.
Kirby model 508 being demonstrated in 1948
Here you can clearly see the design of the Kirby model 508 boxes.
Kirby 509 Plug
This was the plug on the cord of the 509, made by Belden.
The Kirby 509 also introduced the suds cap and Handi-Butler for sharpening, cleaning and polishing.
The Kirby Model 509 locking latch was improved by adding a tension spring.
The Kirby 509 also introduced the suds cap and Handi-Butler for sharpening, cleaning and polishing.
The Kirby Model 509 locking latch was improved by adding a tension spring.
Kirby Model 510 (1950 to 1951)
Kirby front view.
This logo design was used from the Kirby Model 508 to 512.
On the Kirby Model 510 the bag chain became a chrome-ball chain.
This logo design was used from the Kirby Model 508 to 512.
On the Kirby Model 510 the bag chain became a chrome-ball chain.
Kirby Model 510
Manuals for the 510 to 515 was practically the same except for different colour outer covers with revised model numbers and from the 513 different design Kirby logo.
Kirby would 'recycle' photos etc. inside the manual.
Kirby would 'recycle' photos etc. inside the manual.
Kirby Model 510
From the side view Kirby models 509, 510, 511, 512 look the same.
On the Kirby Model 511 there was a more limited run according to a collector I know due to the outbreak of the Korean war.
On the Kirby Model 511 there was a more limited run according to a collector I know due to the outbreak of the Korean war.
Kirby Model 510
Front view....
As far as I'm aware the Kirby models 510,.511 & 512 were mainly the same. Except for the material changed to vinyl for the handle grip and massage cup.
As far as I'm aware the Kirby models 510,.511 & 512 were mainly the same. Except for the material changed to vinyl for the handle grip and massage cup.
Kirby Model 510
Cross view. From the Kirby Model 509 the headlight trim went around the front and the sides of the headlight instead of just being on the front.
Kirby Model 510
The Kirby 510 had a cord with the Kirby logo on the plug.
Kirby Model 510
The Kirby 510 introduced the Kirby air freshener on to the Sani-Emtor to fragrance the room while you clean.
The fragrance was called 'Sweet-Aire' in a fresh pine smell. It came in a small glass bottle in a box with a thin nozzle.
Inside the emtor there is a grille that has some felt behind it that the freshener drops dripped on to.
All you had to do was remove the small red button that you can see on the 510's emtor in the photo above.
The fragrance was called 'Sweet-Aire' in a fresh pine smell. It came in a small glass bottle in a box with a thin nozzle.
Inside the emtor there is a grille that has some felt behind it that the freshener drops dripped on to.
All you had to do was remove the small red button that you can see on the 510's emtor in the photo above.
bottom of page