Bidspirit auction | German Horizontal Stationary Live Steam

German Horizontal Stationary Live Steam Engine - A German-made stationary live steam engine constructed from painted tinplate and steel components. The horizontal boiler is mounted atop a dark furnace box featuring ventilation holes. Mechanical features include an oscillating cylinder, a red-painted spoked flywheel, a central fly-ball governor, and a steam whistle. The engine assembly is set upon a rectangular tinplate base finished in maroon with yellow and blue pinstriping. A tall, detachable smokestack in dark gray matte finish is included. The underside of the base features an impressed mark reading MADE IN GERMANY. On the side of the furnace box, a small oval embossed mark contains the letters JF. While web sources suggest a variety of German manufacturers for this style of engine, the legible characters in the mark are initials only and do not spell a manufacturer name. Height: Approximately 12.5 inches (measured to the top of the smokestack, photo 10). Base: Approximately 7 inches by 7 inches (photo 11). The item displays significant signs of age and use. There is heavy paint flaking, chipping, and surface oxidation across the maroon base (photo 1). The boiler shows surface pitting and heat-related discoloration (photo 2). The nickel plating on the whistle and pressure gauge is heavily tarnished (photo 2). The furnace box has areas of surface rust and heat scorching (photo 6). The spirit lamp burner tray is missing from the furnace cavity (photo 3). The sight glass at the end of the boiler remains present and appears intact (photo 2). The mechanical drive train and governor move freely but have not been tested under steam pressure.