Posted 11 years ago
TheSimpleB…
(5 items)
Standard oil co. drum was discovered on a Michigan farm that was settled in 1876.
Drum is sealed tight and still holds a small amount of liquid. Oil or whatever oil turns into after 100 or so years. Drum is in great shape for its age. Appears to have a copper plate braze welded on barrelhead stating
ICC-5 TESTED 7 -26
Mfg. before 3-31-12 (1912)
property of S.O. Co. IND
378470
And it's stamped JUNE 3 1902
Thanks again for the love packrat-place for the love!
Thanks for showing this newbie some love officialfuel !
Love the rivets down the seam.
Thanks for the love AzTom yes, that was the 1st thing I saw on this drum. It was in a bunch of weeds. I disregarded it for a few days, then saw the rivets and thought it must be old so I decided to take a closer look. Glad I did!
Thank you ttomtucker!
great piece have a few myself,what is the unsolved part?
Interesting SB,
Your June 1902 is a patent date for the process of creating a barrel shape (or bilge) out of an otherwise straight sided drum. I have seen this patent stamp on other drums that look just like yours. The barrel shape makes the drum easier to man-handle when rolling it around. Straight-sided drums have the two rings or hoops for the same purpose. Prior to the 1930s, there were many drum manufacturers making steel drums, some following patented processes while others were creating their own manufacturing techniques. They quit making riveted seamed drums after about 1920 - every steel drum had welded side seams thereafter. Drums were meant to be reused and this one belonged to Standard Oil Co. of Indiana for refilling as indicated by the copper plate. ICC-5 is the Interstate Commerce Commission code meaning this drum was "rated" to handle inflammable liquids (for example, oil or gas or kerosene). As I said before all drums made before 1920 were meant to be reused and so they were often reconditioned before refilling them. Given that the drum was "tested" in July 1926 (7-26), I hazard a guess that it means that the company that "reconditioned" the drum, pressure "tested" the drum to make sure the riveted seam and top and bottom head seals did not leak given its age. I am not positive what the 378470 number refers to, although it may be registered ID number of the company that reconditioned the drum. Neat old drum. Thanks for sharing.
I have one of these in storage. Are they worth cleaning out and offering for sale as a Petroliana collectable.
Wow! Thanks for the info drumguy!
I just found two (2) of these drums while cleaning out my father's shop.
Are the worth anything to a collector or should I just scrap them?