One of my favorite Manley popcorn machines is the Model 47 (M-47).
It is similar to the M-46, M-48, and M-49. When it was first
introduced in 1946, it was referred to as the MLT-46. Where MLT stands
for Manley Life Time model. The 1939 was also referred to as the Life
Time Model. In 1949, the M-line was referred to as the standard model. Later
it was referred to as the Regular M. This model was made later than 1952 when Manley began to number
their models. At this point, it was assigned Model 28. At some
point it was referred to as the Premier.
Most of the time for the M-line, the model number represents the year of
manufacturer. Starting in 1952, model
numbers referred to the model, not the year of manufacture. Prior to
1946 no model numbers were used, however they did sometimes use lot numbers.
There is some confusion on the model numbers of the Manley popcorn machines.
For example, the model number listed on the following machine's ID tag
is 47, not M-47. The Premier line also used model 48 and model 49, as
well as a model 50. The Aristocrat was introduced in 1950. An M-50 has
not been found. So, if someone mentions a model 48, it could be either
a Premier, M-Line model or some other model.
Below is a photo of my restored Manley M-47. You can see the
restoration process at my
Manley Model 47
Web Site.
M-46 through M-49 Restoration Page This page contains information on
restoring these Manley popcorn machine models, including suggested
replacement parts and a wiring diagram.
Watch a M-47 being assembled
Manley made a counter top model as well:
The machine above is an M-48 countertop. It has been restored and is
in use in the concession stand of The Grand Theater, 252 Main Street East
Greenville, PA. Click
here to access The Grand Theater web site. This machine was
originally at Becky's Drive-In in Walnutport, PA.
See the
photos of the unrestored machine from the sale here. Photo
courtesy of Forum Member GrandTheater.
Manley also made a larger version that was two machine in one for places
that needed large amounts of popcorn:
The Manley M-47 appears to be identical to Patent 2,536,298 granted to
Charles T. Manley, deceased and assigned to Manley Inc. The patent was
filed on April 10, 1948 and granted on January 2, 1951. You can search
for patents at the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office at
http://www.uspto.gov/patft/.
According to an advertisement in the November 15, 1947 Boxoffice
Magazine, "all of the metal paneling and work surfaces are made of silvery,
good-looking Monel." Here is a link that describes Monel,
http://www.lenntech.com/Monel.htm. According to this web site,
stainless steel began to replace Monel in the 1950s.
A scan of the Manley M-46, M-47, M-48 instruction manual in pdf format
follows:
Instruction Manual
