How old is it?

[Helleri]

This is a potato ricer I am getting ready to clean up and re-paint. I was hoping someone would have an idea as to how old it is. I looked up the company and they seem to still be in business. But, I can't find product history on this. It has no patent number. However, it does have some writing (described and shown in the below image). I would also like to know more, if possible, about it's original color. I can tell this was a black enamel (most of the paint is still on). What I can't tell is if the raised writing was done in a contrasted color or black as well.

[Bill Houghton]

If the company's still in business, do they have contact information?  Maybe they've got an historian who could help you.

[OilyRascal]

Very neat!  I have one much newer myself.  The basket also locks in place by rotating once inset.  It was brought to me from Germany and given under the impression it was used for juicing tomatoes.  I used it just last evening to juice pomegranates from a tree in the yard.  Very useful kitchen tool.  I'll be following to learn more.

[Branson]

This is a potato ricer I am getting ready to clean up and re-paint. I was hoping someone would have an idea as to how old it is. I looked up the company and they seem to still be in business. But, I can't find product history on this. It has no patent number. However, it does have some writing (described and shown in the below image). I would also like to know more, if possible, about it's original color. I can tell this was a black enamel (most of the paint is still on). What I can't tell is if the raised writing was done in a contrasted color or black as well.

I've had one of these for about 40 years now.  Mine has most of its original color, and is all black with no evidence of any contrasting color on the raised lettering at all.  Yours is, I believe, the second cast iron version I've seen.  Cast iron was fairly quickly replaced with stamped steel -- there's quite a few of the stamped versions around.  Oily's is the first wire version I've seen.

Two other differences between ours.   Your basket, I notice, was made in two parts, with the bottom as a separate piece.  Mine, like the stamped versions, and Oily's wire handled version, has a one piece basket.  Might be older, but then, your press is stamped metal, isn't it?  The press in my ricer is cast iron.   Different age?  Different manufacturer?  Dunno.

[Helleri]

@Bill
I am discouraged from contacting companies for back story on items that they have made. The last 7 emails, and 4 phone calls I have made to companies regarding things I have found in this last year have gone completely unanswered. Last year out of I think 12 emails I got 2 auto responses.  I have never had any luck in getting information from what should be the source on my finds. It is one of the major reasons I joined this forum for my tool finds in specific.


@Oily
My understanding of this specific press made by this company, purpose wise, is that it is for making mashed potatoes.

Typically when making mashed potatoes, in general, one would boil them with the skin on (they tend to cook better this way, as the skin acts as an insulator and holds the potato together). Once they are cooked the water is drained off and they are let to stand until cool enough to handle. Then under cold water the skins are hand rubbed off. After which the potatoes are beaten in a bowl along with ingredients (such as butter, herbs, and salt).

With this device you place the boiled potatoes, skin and all in the basket, without any stand time, and press the contents through the basket holes. This reduces wait time, makes breaking down the potatoes and peeling them a one step action (the skins will not pass through the holes of the basket for the most part). And it leaves you with a more uniformly creamy and still very hot mixture into which additives are more easily stirred and more thoroughly blend (given a smother consistency and higher temperature then if done manually).

If you want creamy mashed potatoes, made quickly with a more even flavor...nothing beats one of these really. Though some prefer to leave the skins in the mix or want it to be more chunky. Both of which this tool prohibits.

However, yours may very well be a tomato juicer. Kitchen presses have been made with dozens of purposes in mind. Typically they are designed for a singular purpose. And, newer juicer machines and blenders (and combinations of the two) have rendered a lot of them obsolete. But, there are at least two designs that are still very common in kitchens today. Those being:

The Garlic Press


And the Lime Juicer


@Branson

Thanks for the info on the paint job...to my mind, A reduction in the amount of components used usually represents an advancement in the manufacturing process. I would think more pieces likely equates to older overall. Given that you have had yours for over 40 years. It may be likely that mine is a tad older. But there is also the possibility that either of ours has had replacement or repair work done to them. also for clarities sake is yours marked as made by silver and co. as mine is?

Additionally, the rod to the press on the one I have appears to be cast, non-galvanized steel, as does the press plate. I think this assembly is original to the piece as the rod is inseparable from the plate and the plate has a node of metal that bumps up perfectly against a node of metal on the handle acting an action stopper. Also, because the pin holding this piece to the operable handle is identical (in style) to the pin that holds the operable handle to the base handle. And, at that adjoining the base and operable handle feature stopping nodes...so the whole thing look consistent in design. Interestingly the pins are not threaded and bolted. They are bare and on one the point where the two handles are jointed the pin has been mushroomed by hammering to stay in. However, the pin for the press rod and plate is not mushroomed. and though a snug fit, it is removable ( I assume for cleaning purposes).

[amertrac]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g208/amertrac/xmas07-5.jpg
My wife has four walls and ceiling rafters full of antique kitchen gadgets,She does not care who made them she buys cause she likes them.bob w.

[Branson]

Thanks for the info on the paint job...to my mind, A reduction in the amount of components used usually represents an advancement in the manufacturing process. I would think more pieces likely equates to older overall. Given that you have had yours for over 40 years. It may be likely that mine is a tad older. But there is also the possibility that either of ours has had replacement or repair work done to them. also for clarities sake is yours marked as made by silver and co. as mine is?

Additionally, the rod to the press on the one I have appears to be cast, non-galvanized steel, as does the press plate. I think this assembly is original to the piece as the rod is inseparable from the plate and the plate has a node of metal that bumps up perfectly against a node of metal on the handle acting an action stopper. Also, because the pin holding this piece to the operable handle is identical (in style) to the pin that holds the operable handle to the base handle. And, at that adjoining the base and operable handle feature stopping nodes...so the whole thing look consistent in design. Interestingly the pins are not threaded and bolted. They are bare and on one the point where the two handles are jointed the pin has been mushroomed by hammering to stay in. However, the pin for the press rod and plate is not mushroomed. and though a snug fit, it is removable ( I assume for cleaning purposes).

I've had mine for 40 + years, but it was extremely old when I got it.  It's somewhere in storage, so I can't look for the manufacturer identification, and I don't remember looking at the maker's ID.

The brightness of the press plate made me think it was not cast, but since you clarified that it is also cast, that leaves the only difference lies in the basket.  Since yours is made in two pieces, I also think your ricer is older.  That's older technology for sure.  I don't think either of ours has had any repair work. 

[Helleri]

And I see she has a ricer...She has it all organized and displayed well. Not just a collection but a practical collection. Well done.