Title: Antique "The Parent" Self-Heating Brass Soldering Iron Torch – Patented 1919

Description:

Up for sale is a fantastic piece of early 20th-century American industrial history: a vintage "THE PARENT" Self-Heating Soldering Iron. Manufactured by the Oil Products Appliance Co. out of Maywood, Illinois, this unique tool features a 1919 patent mark engraved cleanly into the heavy brass body.

Before electricity dominated the job site, craftsmen, plumbers, and linemen utilized these ingenious self-contained gas/kerosene-pressurized torches to heat a heavy copper soldering tip internally from the inside out.

Item Specifics & Details:

• Brand: THE PARENT Self-Heating Tools

• Manufacturer: Oil Products Appliance Co. (Maywood, ILL, USA)

• Era: Circa 1919 / 1920s

• Materials: Heavy brass fuel reservoir/handle, steel slotted burner shroud, and a solid copper soldering tip.

• Markings: Clearly stamped on the brass reservoir side: "THE PARENT SELF HEATING TOOLS - OIL PRODUCTS APPLIANCE CO. MAYWOOD, ILL. PAT. [1919] MADE IN U.S.A."

Condition:

This item is being sold as a vintage collectible display piece (as-is). It features a gorgeous, authentic aged patina across the brass and natural heat-darkening on the steel burner and copper tip. It has not been untested for functionality, and some internal components or the bottom filler pump cap may show typical wear or seizure expected from a 100-year-old tool. No major cracks or catastrophic damage to the main brass body.

Perfect as a standout addition to an antique tool collection, a conversation starter on a workshop shelf, or an authentic accent piece for industrial/steampunk decor.

Please review all photos carefully to assess condition details before purchasing. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

It’s hard to find something antique these days

Thank you