It's the only way I can keep the WEASEL in, the TexasPelican & Varmints of ILL. OUT ! LOL

Rock/Hail guard was a protector to keep cylinder from getting broke. MOST visible pumps had them & some county/states might have required their use. In towns/cities where gravel wasn't a threat & pumps were protected by canopies, they might not have been required.