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Where can I find info that would tell me what type and size of globe was used for a specific year and brand of pump? In particular a 1927-28 Fry Model 73. Were they lenses or globes? Metal ring, glass ring?

Thanks

The ones shown in Jack's book that the factory sold were metal & had GUARANTEED MEASURE lenses. But ANY oil company globe would be correct for that time period. VERY FEW if any pumps were changed out on a yearly bases, most were in use for more than 5 years [especially at Mom & Pop stores where they would most likely replace w/ USED pumps the distributor furnished].

Bear in mind that most New pumps back then cost $150-225 when a Dollar a day wages was common, if you were lucky to have a job in the depression. Took a lot of gasoline sales just to pay for a pump.

The type of globe was determined by the oil company that purchased the pump from the manufacturer and used at a service station that they owned or supplied product for. Generic "manufacturers" globes were seen on display pumps, and globes could be supplied by the manufacturer of the pump, either a glass body or a metal ring that an oil company could insert their lenses into. Other than items that are time period specific, there is no right or wrong globe for a pump. In your example, the 1927-1928 Fry 73, if the pump was branded Gulf or Texaco, a one piece globe would be chosen by the company; if it was branded Standard (Esso) or Standard (Chevron) for example, a metal band globe would be used. If it was branded Skelly, a three piece glass globe could have been used, although it would have been an early one.
One piece etched globes date from before gas pumps (advertising globes back to the 1890s) thru the 1920s; baked one piece globes from about 1926-thru the 1930s; metal band globes from 1910s until 1957 (Amoco, Citizens 77 & Mutual specified metal as late as 1957); three piece glass globes as early as 1927-1928 (Sohio, Skelly were early users) and plastic "Capcolite" globes from 1932 to the present (Phillips used them as early as 1932, while Dixie (GA)and several other companies used them into the 1990s and they are still made in the original mold today.
Details about which globe was used in which time period by specific companies will be found in detail in our globe books and in general in our gas pump restoration guide book.
Wayne Henderson
Petroleum Collectibles Monthly
Kernersville, NC

Thanks!!