Buffalo Forge Co. - Buffalo, New York
Howard Iron Works - Buffalo, New York

Howard Iron Works was founded in 1830 and manufactured fire hydrants into the early 1900s. The company also made paper cutters. For some time the company manufactured fire hydrants for the city of Buffalo, NY and the surrounding suburbs.

These hydrants have no barrel embossing. Most have "Howard Iron Works" embossed on the bonnet. However some have "Buffalo Forge Co." embossed on the bonnet. It is unknown to us if Buffalo Forge made the entire hydrant or simply bonnet replacement parts.

The strange looking things around the flanges seen in the photos below were designed to catch sewer gas: the hydrant was connected to the sanitary sewer, and the escaping gas was intended to provide some warmth and protection from frost for the hydrant's mainvalve. If you have any information, pictures or anything else regarding Howard Iron Works, please email us.

0432
Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
Size: ~4" V.O.
Note: See view of "flange seal"
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo: © T. Ingalsbe		 1934
Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
Size: ~4" V.O.
Note: mirror image of #0432
Location: Mike V. collection
Photo: © M. Vacanti		 1865
Nozzles: 1x 2½", 2x 4"
Size: ~4" V.O.
Location: Mike V. collection
Photo: © M. Vacanti		 0434
Nozzles: 1x 2½", 2x 4"
Size: ?
Note: internally gated
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo: © T. Ingalsbe

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