From what we can tell, Shand & Jurs was the first manufacturer to construct wet barrel hydrants with threads cut into the barrels so that nozzles and valve stem guides could be directly threaded in rather than be seated in lead. This design improvement meant that the discharge nozzle could be unscrewed and the valve removed through the nozzle opening for servicing and seal replacement. With this innovation, no longer did service personnel have to open the top of the hydrant and attempt repairs by reaching down inside, with the accompanying risk of dropping tools or parts down the hydrant body. Shand and Jurs produced hydrants from the late 1920s until World War II. They finished off their hydrants with a distinctive "mushroom head," many of which can still be seen in Berkeley and the East Bay. The Shand & Jurs Model 112 is believed to be the first 3-outlet wet barrel ever produced. S&J's model numbering system was simple. "1" stood for a smaller diameter (2½" or 3") outlet while a 2 stood for a larger diameter (4" or 4½") outlet. A zero represented "no outlet." Each model number contained 3 digits which described outlet sizes from top to bottom . A model 100 had a single small diameter outlet while a model 112 was a pumper hydrant with two small diameter outlets over a large "pumper" outlet. Anyone with additional information about Shand & Jurs' hydrant operations is encouraged to Email Us. |
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It appears that Shand and Jurs originated the "mushroom head" shape. They produced at least 5 models of mushroom head hydrants from the 1920s into the 40s. |
SINGLE OUTLET HYDRANTS
Model 100This version was S&J's shortest hydrant (19½" tall). It has a conventional "under the nozzle" chain attachment versus the wing gussets which appeared in the mid 1930s. We believe this hydrant to date back to 1929. |
0638Willis Lamm Collection |
Model 100This hydrant came from a residential neighborhood in Oakland where it was installed around 1934 and remained in service until 2000. The nozzle collar reduces the hydrant from its original 3" size to the current 2½" standard. |
0606Willis Lamm Collection |