Posted 3 years ago
CVHS
(1 item)
This barrel was recently found in Aberdeen, WA.
INFO ON BARREL:
EMPTY AT ONCE AND RETURN S.O.CO. (CAL)
331.454 53 NET GALS. TARE 94 LBS.
RICHMOND BEACH, WASH
PAT. JUNE 3, 1902
We are curious to learn its age and possible use. Is this a commonly found item or it as unique as we think it is. The barrel is empty, but it has an obvious petroleum smell inside. Thank you for any light you can shed on this item.
Hi, CVHS. :-)
Interesting.
FYI, you probably will want to edit copies of your photos to reorient them, then edit your post to replace the current copies. Usually, just trimming the long sides of the rectangular images a small amount will do the trick.
CW S&T software tends not to play well with all image sources, especially smart phones and tablets.
As to the barrel, that language about "EMPTY AT ONCE AND RETURN" (as well as the relatively large capacity of 53 gallons) makes it seem like something internal to the oil refining industry.
Indeed, Richmond Beach, WA has a long history of oil refining:
https://www.richmondbeachwa.org/pointwells/
https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/imlsmohai/id/1568/
Sorry, I wasn't able to find an image of a similar petroleum container. I'm probably not holding my mouth right.
I tend to think looking at the threaded bung hole design that I may be older than this barrel.
What are the dimensions?
Just looking at it sitting by the porch rails, it’s hard to imagine that barrel holds 53 gallons.
Maybe the lid and this barrel are a “marriage” of parts.
Now I’m certain the lid does not belong to this barrel, for the following reasons:
Tare (empty weight) is 94 pounds
53 net gallons would weigh 424 pounds
This barrel is tapered/narrow at the base…that would be dangerously unstable when full of liquid and weighing over 500 pounds.
So, unless the barrel shown is empty and weighs 94 pounds, it’s not the barrel that goes with this lid.
Looks like you used the weight of a gallon of water for your math. U.S. refined oil only weighs 6.4 pounds per gallon. Still heavy but without knowing exactly what came in it makes it difficult to speculate. It may have been an additive used to refine oil.
Yes, fhrjr2, you are correct….my math was based on weight of water. That’s interesting that oil would weigh less than water.
Even at 6.4 pounds per gallon, 53 gallons of oil plus the weight of the barrel itself would come to 433 pounds. (Check my math on that, please- no calculator handy,)
The barrel looks shorter than the porch rail is tall…maybe CVHS will provide some measurements, but it just doesn’t look large enough to hold 53 gallons of liquid.
CVHS, Thanks for transcribing all of that information on the small badge/label; I couldn't quite read all of it myself.
Using the patent date turned up some kin:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/mail-jpg.4871378/
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/oil-barrels-drums.1211008/
Here's another at CW S&T with some information about the patent, and some dating information:
*snip*
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.
*snip*
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/118007-early-1900s-standard-oil-co-oil-drum
So, welded as opposed to riveted seams means post 1920.
A cruise through drumguy's comments turns up some interesting tidbits about drums in general.
There does seem to be more information around the perimeter of that hexagonal bung cap. What is it?
OK, this makes sense:
*snip*
These very cool old fuel Barrels were used to transport kerosene, gas and diesel from refineries to Service Stations and even to end users like farmers who had accounts.
*snip*
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/173662-i-like-barrels
Here's a riveted one:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2928216067189727/
Great research Keramikos!
Maybe it belonged to Kurt Cobain? It's amazing it didn't rust away in Aberdeen...