I love it when things go off topic. The links between one idea and the next are often fascinating.
But going back on topic for a while, I’ll add that the Chambers in the picture is a model 7961, one of four models in the ‘79’ or ‘Imperial’ line. These were intended for “large houses with much entertaining” or “private estates”, as the advertising literature put it.
I’ve never, ever seen upper shelves like the ones on that unit above. FABULOUS!!
One thing about these that you can see in the second picture above is that they vent like an old coal stove, through a stovepipe in the back. Also, the griddle/broiler apparatus is made of cast iron, not aluminum like the later ones. Because of the weight, the lever to lift it is on the left side of the unit, not in the front. None of that changed till the later more familiar models came out. The 79s are from the 1930s, I think.
The 7960 is the most common of these, and it’s smaller than the one above. But insanely enough, there was a model bigger than the 7961. It’s the 7982, and it’s a monster. I’ve attached a couple of pictures I saved at some point. I’ve also attached an advertisement for the 7961.
[this post was last edited: 9/1/2016-21:44]
