Sunbeam S 4C Iron

I just picked up this nice iron for $4 yesterday. Against my better judgement, and since I was parked right by it, I checked out The Happy Dragon thrift shop, a tiny place run by elderly female volunteers, and there it was. I saw a tricked out Rowenta, but it just looked and felt cheap in comparison. I like the heft and the locomotive-inspired front end of the Sunbeam, and it's in very nice shape. The heat setting adjustment is tight as a drum, not all floppy and sloppy like on our B&D. And best of all, this iron looks like it could have had a starring role in Hardware Wars.

In the hectic environment of holding a moving sale last May, I forgot to remove our B&D iron from the pedestal drawer of the Affinity dryer when I sold that laundry pair. I don't iron much, but have been using what I think was my grandmother's ancient Proctor & Schwartz, which I consider downright hazardous to human hands.

Any idea on the age of this Sunbeam, and how much its reservoir holds? Some on line pix show them with a coil around the cord where it exits the iron, and with setting instructions on top of the base (where the decal is on mine), and in other shots the cord has the rubber sheath like mine, which I tend to think is newer, but with the old decal, I'm not so sure.


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Post# 1026580 3/8/2019 at 12:53 (1,873 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I just picked up this nice iron for $4 yesterday. Against my better judgement, and since I was parked right by it, I checked out The Happy Dragon thrift shop, a tiny place run by elderly female volunteers, and there it was. I saw a tricked out Rowenta, but it just looked and felt cheap in comparison. I like the heft and the locomotive-inspired front end of the Sunbeam, and it's in very nice shape. The heat setting adjustment is tight as a drum, not all floppy and sloppy like on our B&D. And best of all, this iron looks like it could have had a starring role in Hardware Wars. In the hectic environment of holding a moving sale last May, I forgot to remove our B&D iron from the pedestal drawer of the Affinity dryer when I sold that laundry pair. I don't iron much, but have been using what I think was my grandmother's ancient Proctor & Schwartz, which I consider downright hazardous to human hands. Any idea on the age of this Sunbeam, and how much its reservoir holds? Some on line pix show them with a coil around the cord where it exits the iron, and with setting instructions on top of the base (where the decal is on mine), and in other shots the cord has the rubber sheath like mine, which I tend to think is newer, but with the old decal, I'm not so sure.

Post# 1026583 , Reply# 1 3/8/2019 at 13:11 (1,873 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Great Score Ralph!* When I was growing up my Mom had a Sunbeam iron like this one. I believe she bought it around 58� or 59�. I personally think all these vintage steam irons are worlds better than all these poorly made, auto off irons made today. We have a Proctor Silex that we bought about 10 years ago at Goodwill for $3.99. The heel of the iron indicates that the warranty expire in July of 74�, so its about 46 years old now, and still works like a champ. Eddie View Full Size

Post# 1026586 , Reply# 2 3/8/2019 at 13:57 (1,873 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Thanks Eddie! This iron is in really nice shape like it didn't get used much, or, since the decal is partially worn off, maybe it was overly well maintained by an OCD homemaker. I found an instruction manual on ebay and was able to capture a picture of the steam instructions. A full reservoir is 7.5 ounces. I do not enjoy ironing, but it will at least be a pleasure to use such a well made and attractive iron. The escaped almond and teflon B&D (another thrift store find many years ago) just wasn't my style anyway. This Sunbeam should be the last iron I will ever buy.