A.P. Smith Mfg. Co. - E. Orange, NJ |
A.P. Smith Mfg. Co. fire hydrants were made in East Orange, New Jersey. The company was founded by Anthony Peter Smith, great grandfather of sculptor Tony Smith. The
first patented A.P. Smith hydrants were from 1896. The company is
best known for the O'Brien (often called Series S) and
O'Brien High Pressure fire hydrants. These hydrants were named after their inventor, Denis F. O'brien, who was born in Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland, and held the U.S. patents for these models. Denis O'brien was a contemporary of Thomas Edison and knew him.
In 1966 the hydrant division of A.P. Smith Mfg Co was purchased by US Pipe which was at the time located in Chattanooga, TN. Today they manufacture fire hydrants that hold many similarities to the original A.P. Smith fire hydrants. US Pipe is one of the manufacturers that still produces the O'Brien hydrant (now referred to as the Series S hydrant). |
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Patented on February 25, 1902 (patents
694,180 and
694,298), this model is presumed to be one of the first two
manufactured by the company. In catalogs of the time period, it was referenced as
the "O'Brien" fire hydrant, named after inventor Denis F. O'brien. This model was mass produced and even today is a very
popular fire hydrant. During the times that A.P. Smith sold this fire hydrant, it
was sold to several large North American cities, including New York City,
Philadelphia, Washington DC, Providence, San Francisco, St. Louis and Toronto,
to name a few. After the patent expired, more than 15 other fire hydrant companies
adopted this design and manufactured it. This grouping of hydrants are of the 1 pc. barrel design with a ground line O.D. rib and are arranged from smallest to largest valve opening (V.O.) size. |
1102 'Later' Nozzles: 2x 2½" Size: 4" VO, 7.0" OD Dated: 1955 Location: John A. collection Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson |
2270 'Early' Nozzles: 3x 2½" Size: 4" VO, 7.0" OD Dated: 1918 Location: Massachusetts Photo: © 2004, J. Kaminski |
1375 'Early' Nozzles: 1x 4" Size: ~4½" VO, 8.2" OD Dated: ? Location: Jack S. collection Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson |
1227 'Early' Nozzles: 1x 2½", 1x 4½" Size: ~4½" VO, ~8.2" OD Dated: 1904 Location: Scott M. collection Photo: © 2001, S. Miller |
2188 'Early' Nozzles: 1x 2½", 1x 4½" Size: ~4½" VO, ~8.2" OD Dated: ? Location: Jack S. collection Photo: © J. Selvey |
1454 'Later' Nozzles: 3x 2½" Size: 4½" VO, ~8.2" OD Dated: 1959 Location: Rhode Island Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski |
1751 'Later' Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 3½" Size: 4½" VO Dated: 1955 Location: Massachusetts Photo: © 2002, J. Kaminski |
2109 'Later' Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5" Size: 4½" VO, 8.2"OD Dated: 1956 Location: Jeff K. collection Photo: © 2003, J. Kaminski |
0138 Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~4" Size: ~4½"VO, ~8.2"OD Dated: ? Location: Baltimore, MD Photo: © E. Kennedy |
2110 'Later' Nozzles: 4x 2½" Size: 4½" VO, 8.2"OD Dated: 1956 Location: Jeff K. collection Photo: © J. Kaminski |
0137 Nozzles: 2x 2½" Size: ? VO, ~8.4" OD Dated: ? Location: Yonkers, NY Photo: © E. Kennedy |
0178 'Early' Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4" Size: ? VO, 8.4" OD Dated: 1925 Location: John A. collection Photo: © 2000, J. Anderson |
0133 'Later' Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~4" Size: STD VO, ~8.4" OD Dated: 1954 Location: Towson, MD Photo: © E. Kennedy |
0136 Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~4" Size: ? VO, ~8.4" OD Dated: ? Location: Washington, DC Photo: © E. Kennedy |
1376 'Early' Nozzles: 1x 4" Size: ~5" VO, 9.4" OD Dated: no date Location: Jack S. collection Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson |
2056 'Later' Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5" Size: ~5" VO, 9.4" OD Dated: 1948 Location: Jeff K. collection Photo: © 2003, J. Kaminski |
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These O'Brien hydrants look identical to the 1 pc. barrel versions; but have a
conventional flange joint.
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2399 Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4.5" Size: ?" VO, 9.4" OD Dated: 1944 Location: Private collection Photo: © J. Kaminski |
0418 Nozzles: 4x 2½", 1x ~4½" Size: 6" Note: Bonnet has bosses for internal gates, but no gates. Location: Marlboro, MA Photo: © T. Ingalsbe |
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These O'Brien hydrants look identical to the 1 pc. barrel versions; but have a
breakable 2 pc. clamp arrangement at the flange joint with the trademark name of
"Protectop" flange.
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1377 Nozzles: 1x 2½", 1x 4" Size: ?" VO, 8.5" OD Dated: 1951 Note: tamper-proof cap and bonnet Location: Jack S. collection Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson |
1312 Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~4" Size: ?" VO, ~8.5" OD Dated: 1967 Location: Washington, DC Photo: © E. Kennedy |
1752 Nozzles: 2x 2½" Size: 4½" VO Dated: 1967 Location: Massachusetts Photo: © 2002, J. Kaminski |
1456 Nozzles: 2x 2½" Size: 5" VO, ~9.9" OD Dated: 1965 Location: Massachusetts Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski |
1292 Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½" Size: ~5" VO, 9.9" OD Dated: 1955 Location: Ed M. collection Photo: © 2001, E. Masminster |
1458 Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5" Size: ~5" VO, ~9.9" OD Dated: ? Location: Massachusetts Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski |
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In the earlier portion of the century, high pressure fire systems were common in some of the larger cities. Cities like New York, Philadelphia, Newark, Washington, DC, and several others had these hydrants attached to a different water system which had higher pressure than the standard hydrants. These hydrants were designed to be operated at 300 PSI and could withstand up to 600 PSI (vs. the 150 PSI/300 PSI of standard hydrants). These hydrants had independent gates for each nozzle and a pilot valve for ease of opening the main valve. These large hydrants, patented in 1909, came in one piece and flanged two piece styles. Although these hydrants can still be found in several cities today, they are slowly being phased out of New York City and are rarer to find in several other cities. |
0134 Nozzles: 4x 2½" Size: ? Dated: 1926, Pat. 1909 Note: top view Location: New York, NY Photo: © E. Kennedy |
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These models look very similar to the O'Brien model but differ in that they have
a weathershield for the operating nut. Both are of a 2 pc. barrel design.
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1286 H100 Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½" Size: 4 5/8" V.O. Dated: 1955 Location: Ed M. collection Photo: © 2001, E. Masminster |
1753 H200 Nozzles: 2x 2½" Size: 4½" V.O. Dated: 1970 Location: Massachusetts Photo: © 2002, J. Kaminski |
1311 H205 Nozzles: 2x 2½",1x~4½" Size: ~4 5/8" V.O. Dated: 1966 Location: Colonial Heights, VA Photo: © E. Kennedy |
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0121 Model: 'Havana Style' Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~5" Note: 1902 Patent Location: Newark, NJ Photo: © E. Kennedy |
0132 Model: ? Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~5" Dated: 1931 Location: Fort Lee, NJ Photo: © E. Kennedy |
FH.O Catalog Library: | |
Smith Series H Hydrants Catalog No. 32 (1932) Catalog No. 42 (1942) Smith Hydrants S-62-5M |
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