Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Brookins gas measuring can.

Got this on ebay. It's 5 gal with a glass measuring tube on the side.
I was the only bidder, which I thought odd, or is this a real common item?

Rod

5gal calibrating cans are more common than the 1gal.

This is the can used by every pump inspector in every state in the U.S. Perodically these inspectors show up at a service station to measure the amount of gasoline coming out of the hose. They pump five gallons into this very accurate can, then check the pump to make sure it reads five gallons pumped. They have a little leverage, but it must be close to the five gallons. If it is not the pump can be shut down until it is recalibrated by a service man. Usually if it is within tolarance, a state/county/city seal is then put on the pump indicating when the pump was checked.
The five gallons of gas that was pumped is then poured back into the tank in the ground. And then (this is part I didn't like as a Shell Dealer back in the 1970's), I was charge a fee for them to do this.
Versions of this can have been around since the 20's and are still available today. The pump repair men also use them to check the pumps when they are installed or repaired.
I once had one that had a carring case.

Jack Sim
Author, Gas Pump Identification book and Air Meter Identification book, both ready to order as a Christmas gift at: www.petrolianacollectibles.com

Thanks for the info guys. I don't know if age can be determined from this, but here's what is on the can:
" Front reads in raised letters: 5 gal. liqd. Model-315-IMPD. BROOKINS. A DIVISION OF BALCRANK INC. CINCINNATI OHIO USA. PATENTED USA NO 2,160,754. 7-PA. MASS. DS-13. APPROVED N.Y.C.-B-11. N.C.-R-8".
No matter though, cause I now have what I didn't before .

Rod
PS
High bid was $19.99 + shipping.

The patent number you supplied was applied for on February 4, 1938, the patent was issued in May, 1939. But...this doesn't mean it is that old. Many items such as this were made for years and I mean years.

Jack Sim

I have over 100 service station equipment catalogs and I pulled one from 1950 and your "Brokins Master Measure" is pictured. In 1950 it sold for $9.60.

Jack Sim