Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Gargoyle Mobiloil Barrel

Picked this up a few weeks ago. I'm curious to know what this was used for. Have never seen one before.

it's labeled on the top as: Mobiloil A
& is dated July 30th, 26 cool can

Nice graphics! Good to see ya again rob!

I'd take the lid off and put it on the wall. Nice barrel.

Before you cut the top off I would take the barrel intact

I didnt know the lid didn't come off unless you cut it....don't do it!

Why would anyone cut the lid off of that barrel? What a shame that would be; for it to survive intact for 86 years only to have someone destroy it!

Mine is dated 1926 as well. These drums were made for at home oil change purposes. I have a card on mine that is a copy of an advertisement from when the drums were available for sale. Yours is an extremely nice example, the nicest I've seen. Nice find...
Darin

By the way, the correct original "cap" for the barrel is a large cork stopper, painted the same yellow/ivory color as the top.
Darin

The barrel is an excellent find.... A great piece of history...

Darin, your ad is outstanding looking....

Thanks to both of you for sharing!!!!

Great looking barrel and ad but we need a phone number at the bottom of the ad so I know who to call to have one sent over !

Thanks to all whom have commented. Thanks ESPECIALLY to Darin for the incredible ad (would love to have a color copy) - if possible pm me. No, this will NOT be cut up. It will be going up on the shelf with my wooden oil cases etc. Never thought of people doing their own oil. I've change my own oil on all my cars for years and it just never crossed my mind. And I have been collecting since 81 and have never seem one. This is a great site for answers no matter how experienced you are! Thanks again to all. Rob

Hi all, Just picked up a WOODEN barrel similar to this one. It is about 18" acroos each end and stands about 28" tall. The spigot is in the center of the belly section with no end holes present. I would like to know everything you all are able to tell me about my barrel. Is it a museum piece? What approximate value or desirability does anyone estimate? What type of stand or support/supply system did it once have for dispensing?

1ST Barrel is self explained,it held gear oil (rearend & tranny grease) you can still buy gear oil in bulk barrels today as we bought a couple during my days of messing with racecars.
They wood barrel looks to be water barrel for buk board wagon. just a quess.

Such wooden barrels were carried on bulk trucks vs bulk tankers for the most part. (nothing is absolute) Most likely a truck like the Ford TT or Mack.

Craig, your barrel had Vacuum Oil Company Mobiloil Type B Motor Oil in it, originally... Such barrels, based on the design of the Gargoyle, were used between 1915 to 1931, if I'm not mistaken.

Here is a photo of a Vacuum Oil Bulk Truck, a 1921 Mack....

Thank you both very much. This is a great start.

I have one of those too, but its a "union 76 triton oil" Has a faucet on the bottom. like the first post, not a wooden barrel.

Thanks a bunch for the help. Now i will pursue the number of surviving wooden advertising oil barrels and the proper dispensing system. I would love to see pictures of racks and/or stands.

Hey Oleagleeye, I picked up something somewhat similar to what you have. It is 15 gallons and from 1927 but not nearly as nice as yours. I had never seen anything like it before and have yet to find an exact match. Were you able to stumble upon any additional info with your drum? I am debating on restoring it or not.

Slideshow http://imgur.com/a/atUuH/embed#0