R. D. Wood Co - Philadelphia, PA - Philadelphia, PA
2-tier Bonnet Models, Part 2 (2 piece barrels)

  • In approximately the year 1939 the design changed from 1 piece to 2 piece barrels. On the 2 pc. barrel models the year of manufacture is either on the barrel below the bonnet or mid-height of the back of the barrel.
  • All have a TALL bonnet dome with a rain shield built into the operating nut.

  •   "MODERNIZED" model
  • MATHEWS MODERNIZED HYDRANT PATS. APP. FOR found on WIDE upper tier rim
  • R. D. WOOD CO PHILA. PA REG U.S. PAT. OFF. found on lower tier rim
  • Note overhanging skirt design of barrel joint flange.
  • 0976
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1943
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    2291
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1938
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2004, J. Kaminski
    2054
    Nozzles: 3x 2½"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1938
    Location: Connecticut
    Photo: © 2003, J. Kaminski
    0210
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x ~4"
    Size: ~4" V.O.
    Dated: 19??
    Location: Richland Center, WI
    Photo: © 1999, J. Quist
    1105
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1961
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    1533
    Nozzles: 1x 4½"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1947
    Location: John A. collection
    Photo: © 2002, J. Anderson
    1497
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1939
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    2072
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1937
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2003, J. Kaminski
    2082
    Nozzles: 1x 2½",1x 4"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1955
    Location: John A. collection
    Photo: © 2003, J. Anderson
    0975
    Nozzles: 3x 2½"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1946
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    1106
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1938
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    0974
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1951
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    0977
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Dated: 194?
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    1392
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 3½"
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Dated: 1959
    Location: Jack S. collection
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson
    0973
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Dated: 1951
    Location: New York State
    Photo: © J. Kaminski
    1410
    Nozzles: 3x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Dated: 194?
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski

  • This "oddball" appears to be a Modernized model but has a conventional bolted flange barrel joint rather than the typical overhanging skirt.
  • 1733
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1954
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2002, J. Kaminski

      Centrifugally Cast model
    For a brief period, starting in early 1961 and extending through late 1963, R.D. Wood switched to centrifugally cast barrels, and changes were made in the design of the hydrant head to accomodate the use of the centrifugally cast pipe riser.
  • Note barrel joint design has been changed to conventional bolted flange.
  • No wording is found on the much NARROWER upper tier rim
  • R D WOOD MATHEWS FLORENCE N.J. found on lower tier rim
  • 0972
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1962
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    1411
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1962
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    1408
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
    Size: ~5" V.O.
    Dated: 1962
    Location: Steve P. collection
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson
    0971
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1962
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski

      ???? model
    The following hydrants were actually made by Kennedy Valve (after they bought out R.D.Wood) and do NOT have 2-tier bonnets; but are included here to display their obvious heritage. Compare image 0971 above with image 0978 below ... the only visual difference is the rim of the upper bonnet tier.
  • NO upper tier rim
  • WOOD MATHEWS ELMIRA NY found on bonnet rim
  • KENNEDY found on back of barrel with V.O. size and date of manufacture
  • Note that hydrants can be found with either barrel joint design; the overhanging skirt as well as the conventional bolted flange.
  • Also note that early hydrants have a fully fluted bonnet whereas later versions are half-fluted.
  • 0980
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1964
    Note: conventional bolted barrel joint
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    1711
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1978
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Connecticut
    Photo: © 2002, J. Kaminski
    0979
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1964
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    1412
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 4" V.O.
    Dated: 1977
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Rhode Island
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    1251
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1968
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: John A. collection
    Photo: © 2001, J. Anderson
    1492
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1981
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    0978
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 5" V.O.
    Dated: 1964
    Note: conventional bolted barrel joint
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    1718
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½"
    Size: 6" V.O.
    Dated: 1980
    Note: overhanging skirt barrel joint
    Location: Mentor, OH
    Photo: © 2002, J. Kaminski


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