Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion G&B Model 1 info needed

Hi everyone,

I've purchased a new pump (from Rex) and I'd like to try to get some info. It's not in Jack's book, but I'm hoping Jack will maybe have some insight or old literature on it.

She's a Gilbert and Barker previsible, hand operated, no gauges or stops. Brass cylinder, well-pump type handle, embossed "STANDARD OIL CO."

Brass UL tag, and brass G%B tag stating: Long Distance System Type 34 Model 1 Serial 1420.

It says it's manuractured in Springfield, Mass.

Cast base has embossed lettering, "MADE BY GILBERT & BARKER MFG CO. SPRINGFIELD MASS. NEW YORK PHILADELPHIA PAT'D DEC 18, 1910"

Any age or value would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to purchase any literature on this pump.

Looks like this: (sorry, bad pic - will have better pic soon).


Thanks much,
Wes

[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 01-29-2006).]

Your pump is a 34 not a 1. Terms such as Cut, Model, Type were loosly used years ago. If you look at the 33 (page 176) you will see that your pump is a version of this pump. There are probably 100+ G&B pumps that are not in the present book, look at all the open numbers.
While your pump was patented in 1910, it was probably first produced around 1903. For some reason G&B, after having made pumps for 8 years, never patented them. Then they patented them all around 1910. G&B's website, history etc., still insists they made their first pump in 1910, but I have an ad from 1902, showing their #1 for sale.
I have been able to identify 22 additional G&B pumps and they will appear in the revision of the book.
I have literature on the 33, please email me.
Jack Sim

[This message has been edited by Jack Sim (edited 01-29-2006).]

[This message has been edited by Jack Sim (edited 01-29-2006).]

Was this a GAS pump or a pump for something else like fueloil? Or did they use them for both?


Travis E. Towle
Topeka, Kansas

785-357-1004

Thanks very much Jack. I see the one you mention in the book. Same basic design, but all of the castings above the standpipe look different. Real close though.

I'll send you an email - have some questions

Thanks again,
Wes

I'm under the impression that they were used for either gasoline or kerosene. I've seen old literature with these general types of pumps being advertised for both gasoline and "coal oil."

This particular pump came, originally, out of a general store near Evansville, IN. I'm guessing it probably dispensed Kero, but can't be sure.

Wes

If it was a Bowser (obviously it is not) and had any orig paint, red is gas and black is kerosene, and according to the partsbook they use different packing.

Now I have a question.. was diesel available commonly in 1910 or was Kero used in tractors??

I would like to further explain some thing like dates, model numbers, etc.
First of all, as I said, this unit was probably introduced around 1903. This does not mean it was made that year. As I also said, G&B never patented their products until 1910 when it appears that patented everything they had made and introduced befor then. Because they didn't patent them until 1910, they couldn't put an earlier date on them. While this made sense at the time, it becomes a confusing thing today, because most people assume the item was made on the patent date. (Most gas pumps from just about every pump company went into production at least 6 months before the patent was issued. They even advertised them months before the patent was issued. Also, remember the term "Patent Pending.")
One more thing G&B did. When G&B made a revision in a pump they many times gave it another Type or Model number. On page 175 of my book I picture the 3 and the 33. The 33 is probably a revision of the model 3, meaning it probably has the same type of pump inside it, it was just an update. They did the same thing on the 8 and the 88, and many of the others.
Now, let's get back to your pump: It was probably introduced around 1903, it was patented in 1910, and your particular pump was probably made around 1915.
The 33 is shown in the oldest G&B brochure I have. While it is not dated, there is a automobile shown and the license plate reads 1915. It is catalog 7C. It shows all the G&B pumps I have on pages 174-177 of my book. In every description, G&B never uses the words kerosene, coal-oil, or fuel oil, these are all Gasoline pumps (the only exception is the 31 which is an oil dispenser). While they may have made other pumps, and they probably did, I do not have literature on them.
Incidentally, the catalog states on the cover "For Sale by STANDARD OIL COMPANY, etc. There was a strong connection between Standard and G&B at this time. G&B started in business back in the middle 1800 as a manufacturer of lamps that used gasoline, not kerosene, and they became the largest purchaser of kerosene from Standard Oil. I believe I read where Standard purchased an interest in G&B and sold their products. This is probably the reason your 34 has Standard embossed on the handle.
Hope this wasn't boring, but is is nice to write about things instead of compaining (as I also did) about things.
Jack Sim

I've got a pump like this also but mine says something on the handle about Chicago Ill and can't remember the rest. I'm to lazy to go out to my gas station and check it. But to answer the mans question what is the value of this rare jewel? Anyone? It also has a brass UL tag on the brass cylinder.

Thanks very much Jack - very useful information. I'm very much looking forward to the next edition of your gas pump book.

If you ever need pictures of a 34, let me know, I'll be glad to let you use them.

Terry, you should send me a pic of yours some time.

Thanks,
Wes

Value is in the eye of the beholder [seller]. Because it's not ornate, [large center piece of your collection, like a Tok. 850 Twin], collectability of these items is low & affordable.

The only thing a PAT.DATE tells you, it wasn't made before that date, something on the pump was Pat'd. then.

J.A. DB

Value isn't really important to me at all. I think I value these a lot more than most people do - often overlooked, but I find them elegant and beautiful, but I'm kinda weird

Wes

Wes,
Althrough I don't have one of those, I do have a truck load of others & BOWSER's [salesmans samples, 1qt, 1gal].

When new they were sold for a specific use, but over the years they were used where needed.
J.A. DB

Wes, My literature on the 34 shows that it takes the same "anti-drip nozzle cock" as the other models such as the 8 & 9. Ron

Wes,
Mine is snowed in for a while,close to 3ft of snow in front of the station door. Station owner too lax to check it further. A old friend of mine gave it to me about 5 yrs ago when he was cleaning out his dad's garage after he went to the great beyond.So to get a value of these rare beauties what did Rex hit you up for it? I'll take a pic in the spring and send it to ya, remind me.