Vintage Blow Torch

[chachi1626]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could help with any information on this particular blow torch. I know it's called either a Flat Tank Blow Torch or Auto Blow Torch, but that's about it. Would anyone know anything else about the time this one came out or the value of it? I've searched the web and can't seem to find one like this. There are some similar ones, but not this particular blow torch. Thanks in advance guys!

P.s. I had to cut the picture in half because the since was too big to attach as one picture.

[Papaw]

One of our "Down Under" members, Batz , has a large collection and lots of knowledge on these. He is in a different time zone, so wait for him to see this. In the meantime. look here- http://www.blotorches.com/

He says, and I strongly advise- "IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU NOT ATTEMPT TO LIGHT ANY GASOLINE BLOW TORCH. THEY ARE SIMPLY TOO DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO RELIABLE WAY TO DETERMINE IF A TORCH IS SAFE TO LIGHT BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY VARIABLES! THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS WEB SITE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPERATING A BLOW TORCH!"

[EVILDR235]

Listen to papaw. I used on of those back in the late 1950's helping a friends father do some plumbing with cast iron pipe. Didn't like them back then and dislike them even more now. Clean it up and stick in on the shelf to look at and remember all the people that got hurt by them and worse. I drilled a hole in mine just because.

EvilDr235

[turnnut]

EVILDR235, you brought back a bit of my memory, in the 50's also, we used them now and then to heat stubborn nuts on automobiles.
being young then, it never bothered me. I have a couple torches here, but will not even attempt to light one.

one is a chrome one that I put an old soldering iron in the holder on top, yes, a lot of folks ask what is is.

[bonneyman]

I think blowtorches are just such a cool piece of history but I, too, would not attempt to use the thing for heating.

[wvtools]

It looks  like a Turner No. 52 or 52A.  I have a really good blowtorch book -- Vintage Blowtorches, an identification and rarity guide.  by Ronald Carr, Charles Smith, and Graham Stubbs.  I had a pretty rare blowtorch a few years back, and I sold it to one of the authors for a fair price, and he gave me a signed, numbered, first edition also.  The Turner 52 and 52A are listed as a Two Star Rarity, uncommon, distinctive features, fairly easy to find.

[Batz]

I'm away from home ATM.
When I get back I will do some research and post it here. I love flat tank torches.

Batz

[Batz]

Hi chachi626,

Sorry for the late reply I have only just returned home.

As wvtools stated it is indeed a Turner 52A, advertised in the Turner catalog of 1939, list price of $10.10.

These flat torches were sold as mechanic's torches as they could be used in cramped places, eg. around manifolds etc.

I hope this helps.

Batz