Just saw this

on eBay -- described as "MACCHINA CAFFE' GAGGIA GILDA 1948 (PAVONI BRIONVEGA)." However, I just noticed that, according to the first post in the Incomplete List of Gravity-fed Lever Machines thread, Henry Buchtel cites this as a "Gaggia Gilda (1952) Manual single lever, 45mm basket."

AND (also on eBay) . . .


this FAEMA "Mercurio" 1-group lever machine. Anyone know what the wand is on the lower left-hand side of the machine (looking from the front -- you can see it better on the second photo; it's shown in the lower right-hand corner). The wand on the right side of the machine, as you face the front of it, is the steam wand, so WTF is that wand coming from the lower left?!?!?!?

Cheers,
Jason

And finally, I found this picture of an old Gaggia . . .

Anyone know what that "funnel" is for?

Jason, I think that wand is the one my wife would use to squirt boiling water at my face if I bought that cool machine.

I can't seem to find them on eBay. What category did you find them under? I like to watch the auctions to see how much they get.

1) The Gaggia was sold, and the page is no longer "up." You can see it at http://cgi.ebay.com/MACCHINA-CAFFE-GAGGIA-GILDA-1948-PAVONI-BRIONVEGA_W0QQitemZ360090870957QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360090870957&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14. It sold for €390.

2) http://cgi.ebay.com/RARA-MERCURIO-FAEMA-1-gruppo-leva-MACCHINA-DA-CAFFE_W0QQitemZ370090777207QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item370090777207&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14. There are no bids as I write this. Opening is €2,999; "Buy it now" is €4,200. Buy two, and call me in the morning.

There is also a "MACCHINA DA CAFFE GAGGIA modello AMERICA 1950 (FAEMA)" . . .


being offered for €4,500. See http://cgi.ebay.com/MACCHINA-DA-CAFFE-GAGGIA-modello-AMERICA-1950-FAEMA_W0QQitemZ370090402295QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116 while you can.

. . . a "RARA' FAEMA URANIA 3 GRUPPI ANNI 50 MACCHINA DA CAFFE" . . .


which is being offered at €6,900 (http://cgi.ebay.com/RARA-FAEMA-URANIA-3-GRUPPI-ANNI-50-MACCHINA-DA-CAFFE_W0QQitemZ370090399016QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116)

. . . and a different "MACCHINA CAFFE' ELETTRICA GILDA GAGGIA"

offered for "only" €450!
http://www.home-barista.com/forums/posting.php?mode=reply&f=33&t=2692

those are all beautiful works of art!!
why don't they make em like that anymore?

zin1953 wrote:AND (also on eBay) . . .
this FAEMA "Mercurio" 1-group lever machine. Anyone know what the wand is on the lower left-hand side of the machine (looking from the front -- you can see it better on the second photo; it's shown in the lower right-hand corner). The wand on the right side of the machine, as you face the front of it, is the steam wand, so WTF is that wand coming from the lower left?!?!?!?

I would guess!!! that it may be a hot water tap as it is under the Sight glass. Around the machine from left to right under the tray. Water knob inlet to sight glass( for safety); hot water tap, it may be also serve as a boiler drain.the brass tube would be oriented down over the edge of the counter?? Connection to Gas line, Plumb-in boiler fill could be the little wood knob under tray, And above the sight glass a gauge protector tap, again for safety and on the right a steam wand tap. Isolating gauges and sight glasses was and may still be a requirement of commercial boiler safety.
Cheers
Richard