Kennedy Valve - Elmira, NY
Part 2a
This page and the next page (Part 2b) are dedicated to Kennedy models with the familiar 'bell-shaped' bonnet shown at the left.
  • Barrel types - three different can be found: 1 pc. w/O.D. rib, 2 pc. w/bolted flange joint, and 2 pc. w/threaded coupler. In approximately 1960 Kennedy stopped manufacturing 1 piece barrel (standpipe) hydrants.
  • Kennedy literature refers to the various early models by figure numbers; e.g. a Figure 108 hydrant, a Figure 1180 hydrant, etc. Early models do not have the model designation cast onto the barrel; but the later K series models do.

    •   Original "Newtype" Hydrant (1912 - 1916)
    This first model of the newer 'bell-shaped' bonnet hydrants is easily identifiable because the gland studs are exceptionally long. They protrude through the bonnet; one on each side of the operating nut. The reason for this is that the bonnet is in 2 pieces. One piece formed the lower rim of the bonnet and the upper cup-shaped piece was held on by the extra long studs with nuts.

  • The "Newtype" came in a variety of valve opening sizes and nozzle configurations as seen in this
    chart from the 1912 Kennedy Valve "Newtype" hydrant catalog.
  • From the same catalog is this sectional drawing of the "Newtype" hydrant.

    • 0801
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 3½"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc. w/O.D. rib
    Location: Jeff K. collection
    Photo: © 2001, Jeff Kaminski

      Later "Newtype" Hydrant (~1916 - 1930's, plus WW2 years)
  • All of these hydrants also have a 1 piece barrel with a ground line O.D. rib. Some are not size marked.
  • The version with 2 - 2½" hose nozzles was called a "Figure 108" hydrant.
  • The version with 2 - 2½" hose nozzles and one pumper nozzle was called a "Figure 112" hydrant.
  • The thread of the 2½" nozzles was a standard pipe taper thread; whereas the later Figure 1080 & 1280 models had a special Kennedy thread.
  • It appears that this model can be distinguished from the later Figure 1080 model by the large wording on BOTH front and back of the barrel. The later Figure 1080 has this same wording ONLY on the back.
    • 1383
    Nozzles: 2x ?"
    Size: 4¼" VO, 7" barrel OD
    Dated: ??, (rear view)
    Location: Jack S. collection
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson    		 1523
    Nozzles: 2x 2½" externally gated
    Size: ~5" VO, ~7 7/8" barrel OD
    Location: Connecticut
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 1112
    Nozzles: 2x 3"
    Size: 5¼" VO, 7 7/8" barrel OD
    Dated: 1925 on bonnet
    Note: "KV MFG. CO. 1925 141" cast onto bonnet
    Location: Ed M. collection
    Photo: © 2001, E. Masminster    		 1407
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~4"
    Size: 5¼" VO, ~7 7/8" barrel OD
    Dated: ?? Location: Steve P. collection
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson
    2124
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~4"
    Size: 5¼" VO, 10 1/8" barrel OD
    Dated: ??, (rear view)
    Location: Ohio
    Photo: © 2003, E. Masminster    		 1430
    Nozzles: 3x 2½" externally gated
    Size: ~6" V.O.
    Dated: ??
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski

      Figure 1080 Hydrant (1931 - 1964)
  • This model was made in both a 1 piece barrel with a ground line O.D. rib and a 2 piece barrel with bolted flange joint.
  • The thread of the 2½" nozzles was a special Kennedy thread.
  • Starting in about 1951 this model was marked with "STD" after the V.O. size markings.
  • This model has a cast-on marker plate just above or below the ground line. This plate contains a steel stamped number before the cast letter "B" indicating bury depth, a steel stamped number before the cast letter "C" indicating size of connection to the main, and a cast year of manufacture. This marker plate is also present on Figure 1180 and 1280 models.
  • Not all hydrants are (valve opening) size marked. Of those that are marked, more than one diameter of barrel exists ... therefore barrel size alone is not indictative of valve opening size.
    • 1120
    Nozzles: 2x 3"
    Size: ? V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc., 7 7/8" OD
    Note: "STD" on barrel but no marker plate
    Dated: 1958
    Location: Ed M. collection
    Photo: © 2001, Ed Masminster    		 2106
    Nozzles: 2x 2½" ext. gated
    Size: 4"
    Barrel: 1 pc., 7 7/8" OD
    Note: "STD" on barrel
    Dated: 1952
    Location: Jeff K. collection
    Photo: © 2003, J. Kaminski    		 2099
    Nozzles: 2x 2½" ext. gated, 1x 4½"
    Size: ? V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc., ~7 7/8" OD
    Dated: (none)
    Note: back view
    Location: Illinois
    Photo: © 2003, J. Anderson    		 1890
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Barrel: 2 pc., 7 7/8" OD
    Dated: ??
    Note: back view
    Location: Jeff K. collection
    Photo: © 2003, J. Kaminski
    1428
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc., 9 5/8" OD
    Dated: 1950
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 2105
    Nozzles: 2x 2½" ext. gated, 1x 4"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc., 9 5/8" OD
    Dated: 1936
    Location: Jeff K. collection
    Photo: © 2003, J. Kaminski    		 2159
    Nozzles: 2x 2½" ext. gated, 1x 5"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc., 9 5/8" OD
    Dated: ?
    Location: Jeff K. collection
    Photo: © 2003, J. Kaminski    		 2390
    Nozzles: 3x 2½"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc., 9 5/8" OD
    Dated: ?
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2006, J. Kaminski    		 1429
    Nozzles: 2x 2½" externally gated
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Barrel: ? pc., ~9 5/8" OD
    Dated: ??
    Note: may be a Fig. 1280 model instead
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    0085
    Nozzles: 2x 4½"
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc., 9 7/8" OD
    Dated: (none)
    Location: Ed M. collection
    Photo: © 2001, Ed Masminster    		 1111
    Nozzles: 3x 2½" externally gated
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc. ~9 5/8" OD
    Dated: ??
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 1110
    Nozzles: 3x 2½" internally gated
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc. ~9 5/8" OD
    Dated: ??
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski    		 1219
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: ~6" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc. ~9 5/8" OD
    Dated: 1929
    Location: Burlington, VT
    Photo: © 2001, S. Miller

      Cincinnati Spec
    Kennedy Valve designed and manufactured hydrants to a Cincinnati, Ohio specification. They are similar in appearance to the Figure 1080 hydrants described above; but have a slightly different barrel diameter and are marked differently than anything on this page.
  • The 8¼" O.D. barrel is larger than the comparable Figure 1080 hydrants and the K10 & K12 which followed.
  • They are found in 1 pc. and 2 pc. barrel designs and are NOT size marked.
  • Examples in the date range of 1942 - 1971 have been documented.
  • On the back of the barrel in a ~4½" diameter circle is the wording " THE KENNEDY VALVE 19## MFG CO ELMIRA N.Y." (as shown at the left). Above this circle may be either be found "City of Cincinnati" either steel-stamped (or cast) or nothing. There is no KV logo on the barrel.
    • 0084
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½"
    Size: 8¼" barrel O.D.
    Dated: 1942
    Barrel: 1 pc.
    Location: Ed M. collection
    Photo: © 2001, Ed Masminster    		 1121
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½"
    Size: 8¼" barrel O.D.
    Dated: 1958
    Barrel: 2 pc.
    Location: Ed M. collection
    Photo: © 2001, Ed Masminster

      Figure 1180 UA/FM Hydrant (1951 - 1959)
  • This model is believed to have been made in just a 1 piece barrel with a ground line O.D. rib.
  • Barrel markings: "UA" and "FM", year of manufacture, "5 3/8", plus working pressure. The working pressure was "175" until changed to "150" in 1958. These markings are good clues to distinguish this model from the Figure 108, 112, and 1080 models. However, the "FM" marking may be blanked out on some models.
  • This model has a cast-on marker plate with a year of manufacture like the Figure 1080 model described above.
    • 1122
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 5 3/8" V.O.
    Barrel: 1 pc. w/O.D. rib
    (rear view)
    Location: Factory complex
    Photo: © 2002, Duane Jolliffe         		2402
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", externally gated
    Size: 5 3/8" V.O.
    Date: 1953
    Barrel: 1 pc. w/O.D. rib
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2006, J. Kaminski         		2362
    Nozzles: 3x 2½", externally gated
    Size: 5 3/8" V.O.
    Date: 1953
    Barrel: 1 pc. w/O.D. rib
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2006, J. Kaminski


      K9, Sentry, & Kentop (economy models)
    Kennedy Valve Co. made short-lived attempts at low-priced economy models.

    The K9 was to be made in large job lots only.
  • The K9 was made in 5" V.O. from 1958 - 1960; and is marked "K9" on the barrel.

    The Sentry and Kentop (traffic) models were to be automatically 10% cheaper than the regular models. They are basicly Figure 1080 & 1280 internals with a Figure 108 shell (barrel).
  • The Sentry was made only in 1951; and is marked "SNY" on the barrel.
  • The Kentop was made only in 1951 also; and is marked "KT" on the barrel.

    (No photos currently available of these models)

    • Part 1 | Part 2a , 2b | Part 3
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