Paging the Hamiltons!

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The Hamiltons

WOW, what a really interesting washer, it does appear to be a Franklin built machine, BUT I have never seen a washer like this under any other brand name, Franklin was still building solid tub machines in 1966 and this machine bears similarities to the 60-66 Franklin's but it is clear that NOTHING is interchangeable. This may have been a 1 or 2 year design at best, by about 69 there was a Gibson design out that had a huge capacity tub and an angle wing agitator that I saw quite a few of, Like other Franklin laundry appliances of the 60s-70s these Gibson's were terrible in the durability department. There is a good change that this Hamilton is the only one left in the world.

 

Yes that is a GE motor on the washer, there may be a date on the motor, but for sure there would be a build date on the timer motor and the inlet valve, I am betting 67 or 68 at the latest.

 

The Gas Hamilton dryer is all Hamilton, these 27" wide dryers are the third generation of dryers that Hamilton built. They still used a single point drum bearing to support the drum like earlier Hamilton dryers and almost all early dryers for that matter. As a result they were very quiet running. The 27" dryers went to the belt around the drum to drive the drum. The gas burner was below and would have a direct-spark ignition system likely by Mcquay-Norris, it would not have had a modulating gas burner as only WP-KM ever built a home gas dryer with a modulating burner.

 

John L.
 
What a beautiful set! And I'm with Gansky, I think the bright aqua interior against the coppertone is neat... colors were such a part of the look and the way to brighten your day!
 
Has a definite determination been made on exactly who manufactured this washer? It really is different than the rest of the Franklin machines they built of that era. The tub is not as big and the agitator is different too along with the lint filter and pump assembly. Also, when exactly did they go to the solid tub dryer drum? The set I worked on had the solid tub dryer with the big window glass instead of the small one, although I have seen the other type too.
 
For some reason, I recall back in 1967 CR downgraded the Hamiltons because of the potential for severe oversudsing when a regular detergent was used. Their concern was that the sudsy overflow would make its way to the unshielded motor - of course I have no idea which machines would have had a shield to protect the motor against overflowing water/suds.

Particularly interesting machine - I have never seen a live up close Hamilton washer or dryer.
 
Kenny, that is a sharp looking, rare and very unusual set.  Hamilton dryers always looked like they meant business with the perforated drum and door window... Enjoy!   A
 
Goatfarmer: Wow. Am blown away by the fact that you got a matching set and it's Hamilton! Only familiar with Hamilton dryers, not so much washers. And you will most certainly get used to the coppertone and turquoise blue combo -- very easy on the eyes! Congrats on a fabulous find and do hope to see videos of washer as I've never seen one of these in action before.
 
My dad had a Hamilton with a large window and no sun e day he got from my grandparents, but that perforated drum brings back memories. That was one heck of a dryer, lasted nearly 30 years of nearly daily use. Shame he got rid of it, at the time I was too young to convince him otherwise. I've always been on the lookout for one but so far have been unsuccessful.
 

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