Westfalia - Separator Modell "M"
Westfalia Separator Modell "M" cream separator and churn Westfalia "Rotations-Butterfass"
manufactured by the historic German company Westfalia Separator A.G. (headquartered in Oelde, Germany).
This device was used on farms and dairies for two main functions:
Skimming/Separating: Separating the cream from fresh milk using centrifugal force. Manufactured between the late 1920s and early 1930s
Churning: Beating the cream (in the closed, barrel-shaped vessel) to turn it into butter. Manufactured between the late 1930s and the first half of the 1950s
The model shown is mounted on a special base and was electrified with a central motor that drives the components via transmission belts (while still retaining the original manual cranks).
Original factory electrification (1920s - 1930s): In the 1920s, as the electrical grid reached rural areas, Westfalia and other manufacturers began fitting the first electric motors directly onto the frames to replace the farmer's manual effort.
Artisanal/retrofit electrification (1940s - 1950s and modern restoration): Many machines originally designed to be crank-operated only were modified after the war by adding an external motor mounted on the bench with belts and pulleys. In the case of this specific example (mounted on a cart with modern swivel wheels), the electrification was refined during restoration to make it fully operational for demonstrations or private collections.
Technical Specifications
Manufacturer: Westfalia Separator A.G. (Oelde i. W. - Germany)
Type: Cream separator / milk centrifuge with butter churn
Electric motor:
Type: Three-phase motor (Drehstrommotor) Type 3 F 15/4, via a belt system with pulleys of different diameters, essential for giving the separator hundreds of revolutions per minute while giving the churn just a few steady revolutions.
Materials: Cast-iron frame painted black, aluminum/polished metal tubs and vessels, transmission belts, and wooden handles.
Mobility: Cast-iron base mounted on modern swivel wheels to make it easier to move.
Market Value
The value of this machine falls in the mid-to-high price range for rural antiques and industrial archaeology.
A piece like this holds significant value on the collectors' market because:
It is a complete piece, combining both a cream separator and a churn.
It has been fully restored, polished, and returned to excellent aesthetic and functional condition.
It is perfectly functional and electrified.
Fun Facts
Ancient Greece in the dairy: The body of the separator features a gilded meander decoration (Greek key pattern), a stylistic detail typical of early-to-mid 20th century production, meant to add an elegant touch to an industrial machine.
The evolution of the brand: Westfalia Separator, founded in 1893, is one of the most celebrated brands in the world in the field of separation technology and still exists today (now part of the multinational GEA group).
Dual-channel operation: The cream and skimmed milk came out through two separate spouts: the lighter cream from the upper spout, the skimmed milk from the lower one.
Dual drive: The machine retains both the pulley for the electric motor and the classic wooden cranks, allowing it to be used manually in the event of a power outage.