Oilers - A Beginning Price Guide?

[Len Sawisch]

In an earlier post, a visitor requested help valuing a small oilers collection. I offered to "collect" input from folks who responded directly to the request. I feel funny tossing info around when folks are discussing a pending deal, but now that the deal is over ...

Here are pics of the metal oilers I have, and a brief description of markings, plus my guesses at value. Two other collectors commented on these, suggesting the prices were in the ball park (their comments follow prices). Any additional suggestions or comments are appreciated - especially if I have significantly under-valued an oiler in my collection!





* means new line
1. Stamped on front side "Star Oiler" - Stamped on bottom "Pat Appl'd For * Made in USA * Cushman & Denison * NY"
$20-$30

2. Embossed on each side "Comptometer" - Stamped on bottom "Pat Feb 18, 1896"
$15-$25
LM - Same but stamped "Apr 23, 05" "April 6, 07"

3. Unmarked, Bottom stamped "Pat'd April 23 95 * Made in USA * Pat'd April 6 97"
$10-$15
LM - Same stamped "March 16, 1895" but has Hexagon on front/back, not circle

4. Stamped on side "Pat Feb 26 95 * Pat Apr 23 95 * Made in USA"
$25-#35
LM -Same stamped "April 23, 95"

5. Stamped on side "Pat Apr 23 96 * Pat Aug 18 96 * Made in USA"
$35-$45
LM - Same

6. Stamped on spout collar "Made in USA"
$15-$25
LM - Same

7. Stamped on back "Overman Wheel Co. * Boston Mass USA" - Stamped on front "Overman Wheel Co. * Boston Mass USA * Pat'd Oct 5, 1886"
$55-$70

8. Stamped on spout collar "Swiss Made" and "Huile" and "Oil"
$20-$25

9. Unmarked (Brass spout and bottom)
$15-$20
LM - This oiler came with label "Eagle No. 99" "Seal Tip Oiler" at top and
"Twist Top To Open" at bottom - with label, $40-$50 range.

10. Stamped on spout "Valve Spout * Made in England by Muller & Co * Pat. Pend."
$30-$35

11. Unmarked
$20-$25

12. Stamped ""Perfect" Pocket Oiler" on base - Stamped on bottom "Made in USA" - Stamped on lip under cap "Cushman & Denison NY Pat-4-89" (Spring-loaded release)
$40-$55
LM - Same stamped "L.C.S & Bros. Typewriter Oil" "Will Not Gum"

13. Stamped on case ""NeverLeak" * One Drop Oil Can * Trade Mark * Pat'd Nov. 8 - 04"
$40-$50
LM - Same stamped "Shakespeare" "Made in USA"
DJ - Actually a Mieselbach - 3 different models - knurling on the botton is different on all 3

14. Unmarked
$10-$15

15. Embossed on front "Shakespeare Co", Stamped on bottom "Made in USA"
$12-$18
LM - Same

Blonde screwdriver Stamped on collar "Shakespeare, Kalamazoo"
$30-$35

16. Stamped "Pflueger" on cap, stamped on bottom "Pat'd April 23, 95,
Made in USA * Pat'd April 6, 97"
$15-$25

Walnut screwdriver stamped on collar "Pflueger, Little Giant"
$30-$40

17. Embossed on front "Shakespeare Co", Stamped on bottom "Made in USA"
$12-$18
LM - Same

Black screwdriver Stamped on collar "Shakespeare Co * Kalamazoo Mich USA"
$30-$35

[Len Sawisch]

I must be in the mood! Here is a pic of my modest glass bottle and grease tube collection, and then my basement display shelf.

[Richard Lodge]

Len: thanks for sharing. Nice oiler collection and a lot of good information.

[Brian F.]

Len,

Nice collection! Looks like you can start a separate one for tools. Then all you'll need is a Meek screwdriver!

My experience buying the Pflueger marked ones #16 has a bottom price range a little lower at $15 from tackle shows. The $35 high end is probably an online auction price.

I've bought a lot of #3s in the $5-10 range too. I was told there are reproduced versions of this style also that are missing the patent date. Maybe this is what the $5 ones were but I know I've got both versions.

[Len Sawisch]

Thanks Brian!

I have only seen the Pflueger one once, so I thought it was a bit tuffer. It is hard to see the stamping on the cap like that so I have probably passed over a few! I modified the post with your price range.

As for the plane old common oiler with no patent dates - they are very common and $5 - $7 seems fine - I actually use one like that on my repair bench for penetrating oil.

Len

[Brian F.]

You're right Len, I suspect you could find more deals on those Pflueger oilers with the mark being so easy to miss. That Pflueger screwdriver seems kinda unusual but I have not really been looking for them.

[el Lawrence]

Ok I just gotta ask... What is a blonde screwdriver? . And you let such a thing sit (unused) on a shelf in the basement? On public display?

[Reel Geezer]

Len: The Perfect Oiler with LCS stands for L.C. Smith and was put in their typewriters. This was the same company that made LC Smith shotguns and thus the oiler usually was in the $50-75 range to them. It also came marked Remington and came with their typewriters. I sold lots of them in the 40-50 range. I have sold quite a few of the Pflueger marked on spout cover oilers in the $30-50 range, and have had two of the ones marked down the side. I believe I got somewhere around $150 for them.

If you expand into oil cans, there is already a ID and price guide out on them. It is a good book. I have sold gun company oil cans up into the $500 range.

[hurdpete]

Len:

What a neat collection! With the ids you've given, there's a lot of good info - a print will definitely go in my file!

Pete

[Lonnie Mills]

Len,

After the holidays I will send you pic's of my modest reel oil/containers as well. Maybe start another reference guide for the forum?