Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Odd Fry? What year & application?

I haven't seen another one like this anywhere and no pics online. Odd base. Thought maybe early since lower access panels are oval and thick cast. Wonder what the application was where it was used ot how it was mounted. Perhaps higher so piping come right out base nstead of straight down into a tank. Or maybe a portable type version to be able to plumb up anywhere they go?(Farm use)?

Above Ground Tank???? Jim

Looks like a cast iron top.I have a ten gallon with the cast top and yours is the only other one I have seen.Nice pump.Thanks for the picture.Mark

I've had a few of these and still have one in the barn. It has been my understanding that the Cast Iron base with top were a very early ten gallon version? As for the notch at the base....it was definately used to ease installation....thereby making it a snap to simply run pipes on top of the ground instead of below. If you look around, you'll see some of the common stamped bases with two perfect holes in the side for this same purpose. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

I have been planning on writing a article to explain everything about the GLM 17 for CTO, but since I recently wrote about this same pump as to wether or not it was the first visible or not, I have held off on this article.

First of all the first Model 17 came without a base, the suggestion was that it be mounted on a concrete base about 3' high (page 172 of my GPI book). The reason it did not have a base is because it did not have a pump, it was only a dispenser. The pump was in the station or where ever. It was powered by electric.
If you were in a area where there was no electric there was a hand attachment available. A picture of this attachement is on page 173, right lower corner.
The above pumps were sold from around 1917 to around 1921. Around 1922 (still unconfirmed) GLM added the base and put the hand pump inside the base, prior the hand pump was outside the pump.
No doubt all kinds of changes were made to the pump, but not enough literature has been found (if there ever was any) that showed all these modifications.

Pump with no base, model number unknown if it was not the 17.

Model 17: Hand operated, with hand pump in a base, 5 gallon, one light socket, globe holder, 10 ft., 1 1/4" hose. Heigth to globe holder 8' 4", weight 425 lbs.


Model 77: Hand operated, with hand pump in a base, 10 gallon, 2 side light sockets, globe holder, 10' of 1" hose, one self closing nozzle. Heigth to globe holder (please not this) 8' 6" (two inches taller than the 17), weight 450 lbs.

Model 177: Hand operated, with hand pump in a base, 1 light socket, 1 set side lights, globe holder. 10' of 1 1/4" hose, one nozzle (banana is shown in pic). Heigth to globe holder 8' 4", weigth 470 lbs.

All weights are shipping weights (probably includes the crate).

Jack Sim

Thanks guys for the explanation. At least I have a better idea. I did think because of using heavy casts that it was earlier as they undoubtedly moved to less exspensive material later. Also the aboveground/easy piping also makes sense.

Heres what the early one with cast iron base, cast iron top and external pump looks like!

Those are cool pumps. Kevin I bet there are very few of those left around

I think you have too many cool S.o.C. signs. You should probably lighten the load a bit and ship some to Florida. Thanks for the pic

Heres the sale that they came from lst year and I picked out the best ones and I only have ONE left for sale @ $300

I have seen a couple of vintage gas station pics on the Shorpy site that show Fry pumps sitting on concrete bases.

pm sent to K W Frith.