TURNER BRASS WORKS
The company was founded in Chicago in the 1870s and made a variety of fittings in brass. By the 1890s Turner was making blowtorches and around 1906 they moved to a new factory in Sycamore, Illinois and around the same time they took over the White Manufacturing Company eventually becoming the largest US blowtorch company.
Turner Brass Works – No 58 Pocket Torch
(Alcohol ¼ pt. – abt 1904-1906)
Notes: This small nickel plated brass torch was useful for jewellers, linesman, electricians and laboratory work. A cotton wick drew alcohol to the flame and a rubber tube was blown into by mouth to obtain a pointed hotter flame. The torch was manufactured by Turner Brass Works from a White Mfg. Co. design called the Gem and branded with the White trademark of ‘Hot Blast’. The blowtorch is from John Rugotzke’s collection.
Turner 64 Jewel Torch (Gasoline ½ pt. ~1907-1915)
Notes: This Turner nickel plated brass torch was suitable for use where a Bunsen burner was required and it was fairly adjustable in flame size. The torch, in Jason William’s collection is from the very early 20th century and has been stated to be about 1911, but certainly after Turner moved from Chicago to Sycamore around 1907. The model was also advertised in the Turner 1905 catalog from Chicago.
Turner (OEM for Sears) – Sears, Roebuck and Co. 55443 (Vendor prefix 249)
(Gasoline 1 quart – 1968–1972)
Notes: This Sears copper‑brazed steel tank blowtorch is filled through the pump assembly housing. The general design and burner (second image) is a typical pattern common to several manufacturers, though this model was made by Turner Brass Works. The blowtorch, from the collection of Mark Sandel, has a broad base (top and lower images) for support. The burner opening is 3/4″.
The Sears stock number is 55443, appearing in the 1971 Fall/Winter catalogue (p. 967). The prefix 249 is Sears’ vendor/manufacturer code identifying Turner. Sears used these prefixes widely across their lanterns, stoves, and blowtorches; “249” does not represent a Turner model number.
Although sold only as 55443, the torch is unmistakably a Turner product. Its tank profile, burner head casting, pump tube, and hardware match Turner’s late‑production gasoline torches. The closest Turner retail equivalent is the T‑15C family, though the Sears version incorporates several OEM‑specific details (tank finish, handle style, filler cap, and labelling) typical of Turner’s contract production for Sears.
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