Steve Ahlwardt's Hydrant Collection

I was given all these items from my uncle, Ernest Copelan, who past away recently. He worked and retired from Rich Manufacturing and sold piping and hydrants. The Hinckley and Greenberg were in a foundry bought by Rich and saved by my uncle.

Click on any photo to enlarge
1650
1650b
1650c
Photos ©2002
Ernest Copelan





Flip lid style hydrant,
Hinckley & Co.,
San Francisco
ca. 1860.

1678
1678b
Shown is the wooden pattern for a miniature decorative hydrant made by M. Greenberg's Sons. It was perhaps awarded to honor certain employees, or given to preferred customers.
8 inches tall.

1679
Rich Company ashtray, promotional item.

1680
Rich Valve model 850 salesman's sample, made of porcelain,
12 inches tall.

1677
M. Greenberg's Sons "horse ball" hydrant. Ball atop hydrant was used to tie horses from a time when horses pulled fire apparatus. Hydrant vintage is ca. 1900, based on the gussets around the base of the barrel.

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