Eagle Pump Oiler Value Guide

The Eagle Pump Oiler is a quintessential piece of American industrial history produced by the Eagle Manufacturing Company of Wellsburg, West Virginia. These steel and copper-plated tools are highly collectible due to their robust mechanical design and their role as a staple in mid-century garages and workshops.

What affects the value of Eagle Pump Oiler?

• Condition of the copper plating, as heavy pitting or rust significantly reduces the $10-$15 market value.
• Functionality of the internal pump mechanism and the integrity of the thumb lever spring.
• Presence of original labels or distinct embossed patent numbers from the 1940-1960 era.
• The length and shape of the spout, with specialized or longer flexible spouts sometimes commanding a slight premium.

How to Identify Eagle Pump Oiler?

• Look for the 'Eagle' brand name and 'Wellsburg, W. VA' embossed clearly on the metal body or base.
• Verify the presence of the original spring-loaded thumb lever used for precision oil delivery.
• Check for the characteristic copper plating over the steel body, which was standard for mid-century models.
• Examine the spout for a threaded connection that allows for removal or replacement.

History of Eagle Pump Oiler

Eagle Manufacturing Company, founded in 1894 in Wellsburg, West Virginia, became a staple in American garages and workshops. These pump oilers were essential tools for maintaining early industrial machinery and automobiles, designed to deliver oil in controlled amounts via a spring-loaded thumb lever.