R.D. Wood Co.

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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