Antique Fairbanks Morse Compressor

[Pevehouse]

I wonder if it’s an older refrigeration compressor. Years ago I had a two cylinder model that came from a commercial freezer. It eventually died. When I took off the head it had a couple valves made from beer cans

Could be, have no clue. I was thinking maybe for an old airbrush system of some kind

 

[Pevehouse]

You are correct. It has one port for outlet air. I pulled the head last night and started cleaning the crank case out. Has what appears to be a leather wick which wicks oil up to oil the cylinder. Typical looking piston with I believe to be 1 cast iron ring. Can’t get the fitting out of the top to look at the valve but it appears to be just a solid flat washer, maybe spring loaded. I’m going to clean it up, paint it the original color and see what she does