Pratt & Cady - Hartford, CT
Very little information regarding The Pratt & Cady Company of Hartford, Connecticut is known; other than the fact that they made hydrants in the 1890s and continued through the 1920s as evidenced by various patent dates. A brochure of unknown vintage with the title A New Departure: The Hartford Hydrant Hose Case Co. describes an invention patented in 1920 and made by Pratt & Cady for a self-contained hydrant hose accessory intended for residential use.

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Three models have been discovered and are documented below.

  First Model?
  • "THE PRATT & CADY CO. HARTFORD CONN." in the emblem above the star on the front of the barrel.
  • "PATENTED FEB.3'85; MAR.23'86; FEB.12'89" in the emblem above the star on the back of the barrel.
    • 1223
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: ~4" barrel I.D.
    Location: Hank B. collection
    Photo: © 2001, H. Bergson         		0838
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 5" barrel I.D.
    Location: Jeff K. collection
    Photo: © 2000, J. Kaminski

      Next Model?
  • "THE PRATT & CADY CO HARTFORD CT" and PAT JULY 16 01 on barrel below the nozzles.
  • "THE PRATT & CADY" on top of the bonnet.
  • Note the off-center operating nut indicating a toggle action main valve.
  • Hydrants with a 4¼" V.O. have 4 nut pockets underbonnet; while 5¼" V.O. hydrants have 6 nut pockets.
    • 0343
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4¼" V.O.
    Note: restored by M. Taylor (www.rememwhen.com)
    Photo: © 2000, Mike Taylor         		1537
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4¼" V.O.
    Note: same as #0343 except wording cast under other nozzle
    Location: John A. collection
    Photo: © 2002, J. Anderson         		1478
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 4¼" V.O.
    Location: Jeff K. collection
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski
    0869
    Nozzles: 2x 4"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski         		0804
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Location: Jeff K. collection
    Photo: © 2000, J. Kaminski         		1786
    Nozzles: 2x 2½" ext. gated, 1x 5"
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Location: Private collection
    Photo: © J. Kaminski

      Final Model?
    Appearances suggest that this is the latest known model; however it has a centered operating nut like the first model shown on this page.
    1522
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: ~5" V.O.
    Location: Connecticut
    Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski         		1900
    Nozzles: 2x 2½" ext. gated
    Size: 5¼" V.O.
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 2002, J. Kaminski         		0913
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: ~5" V.O.
    Location: Massachusetts
    Photo: © 1997, J. Kaminski

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