A Rare Hippe-Steiner

By Staff
Published on October 1, 2001
article image
Wayne Halsey's 6 HP Hippe-Steiner, built around 1908. He knows of only 28 still in existence.

In June, 1908, a partnership was formed between Robert Hippe and
Henry Steiner to build engines in Chilton, Wise.

The first engines were built in 2-, 4, and 6 HP sizes. These
engines were rather unusual in that the cylinder head was cast in
one piece with the cylinder. The valves are in an ‘F’
arrangement. The exhaust valve is about 21 inches long, coming back
to an adjusting screw on a lever. This lever is on a shaft that
goes through the base to the other side to another lever with a
roller running on the exhaust cam. The governor is on one flywheel
with a linkage by the exhaust valve adjusting screw. A separate cam
runs the igniter continuously.

The battery is grounded through a grounding switch on the
exhaust lever to stop the igniter from using current when the
engine is coasting.

This engine has a 6–inch bore, 8-inch stroke, 36-inch
flywheels, 350 RPM, but no serial number. 1 bought this engine at
an auction in 1975. It was complete and on original trucks, but not
running.

About 1912 Robert Hippe sold out to Henry Steiner and left the
company. The company name was changed to the H. A. Steiner
Manufacturing Co. and the engines produced became known as the H.
A. S. These engines were produced in sizes 3 HP to 16 HP and some
had high-tension ignition (spark plug and buzz coil). The engines
were a dark green, but were different mechanically.

About 1915 the company moved to Plymouth, Wise, and the name of
the engine was changed to The Steiner Long Life. At this time, a 1-
HP engine was added to the line. However, before 1920 they went out
of business. We believe they produced about 3,000 engines in 12
years. I know of 28 of these Hippe-Steiner engines left in
existence.

Contact engine enthusiast Wayne Halsey at 541 Wisconsin
Avenue, North Fond Du Lac, WI 54937

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388