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gun-barreled radiators
silverfish
Member Posts: 6
Hello,
I've been pricing oil to gas conversion in my steam-heated Queen Anne and have been getting so many opinions on steam (and boilers and hot water options) that I'm rather exhausted from lack of consensus. So, here I am to do more back study.
Ten years ago I had a steam-enamored heating contractor who gave me loads of background on my 1889ish state-of-the-art 2-pipe steam system, along with its history and some simple schematics. Some of my radiators, he said, were recycled from CivilWar-era gun barrels...
In measuring radiators to determine boiler size, do these gun-barreled types (attached) get measured the same as other column radiators? Does the 12" circumference of each barrel need special consideration? I haven't been able to find similar images online and I get discouraged to hear contractors say they have never seen the like.
This particular one is 2 columned, 7 sectioned and stands 39" from foot to cat.
Anyone have anything to say about this? Appreciated!
Suz.
I've been pricing oil to gas conversion in my steam-heated Queen Anne and have been getting so many opinions on steam (and boilers and hot water options) that I'm rather exhausted from lack of consensus. So, here I am to do more back study.
Ten years ago I had a steam-enamored heating contractor who gave me loads of background on my 1889ish state-of-the-art 2-pipe steam system, along with its history and some simple schematics. Some of my radiators, he said, were recycled from CivilWar-era gun barrels...
In measuring radiators to determine boiler size, do these gun-barreled types (attached) get measured the same as other column radiators? Does the 12" circumference of each barrel need special consideration? I haven't been able to find similar images online and I get discouraged to hear contractors say they have never seen the like.
This particular one is 2 columned, 7 sectioned and stands 39" from foot to cat.
Anyone have anything to say about this? Appreciated!
Suz.
0
Comments
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Check to see if there is a name on them
might be one of these. This article is located in the site's Library:
http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/articles/1275/92.pdfAll Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting0 -
it is all about surface area
roughly every foot of height would be one edr for each column by your numbers. Nothing wrong with having radiators no one has seen before, I find dozens each year that are not in the books. I would love to see a wide angle photo, not that the cat is not cute, I am just more interested in the iron.Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.
cell # 413-841-6726
https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating0 -
interesting reading
If you're into history, you can read all about the "gun barrel" steam radiators here: http://books.google.com/books?id=6kNGAAAAMAAJ&pg=PR12&lpg=PR12&dq=gun+barrel+style+steam+radiator&source=bl&ots=ugICC6UaHR&sig=TYIbdeenS0xRqMnrqlm6RQ6WmPc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WKjMUYWwLNXd4AOMr4DgAQ&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=gun%20barrel%20style%20steam%20radiator&f=false
The pdf is free on google to read, just scroll over to page 331. It also talks to the edr of radiators. Love the cat, I think the kitty would be terribly disappointed if you didn't have the comfort of steam in the house!There was an error rendering this rich post.
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thank you...
Steamhead: the radiator's a W.W. Carman's, Pat. April 28, 1885.
Charlie/wmass: photo attached.
Moneypitfeeder:
Awesome! I also located the patent for Carman's. Can't do a
screenshot, so here's the link, p.599 of the patent commissioners report:
http://books.google.com/books?id=GSDRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA599&lpg=PA599&dq=w.w.+carmans+radiators&source=bl&ots=94AgwwNvZv&sig=HTQMGW602hEo6qGf2Ij45OI0_Os&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KObMUcneHsbD0AHfuYCgAg&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=w.w.%20carmans%20radiators&f=false
I've done a bit of research on this place and have discovered photos of the original owners, archived at Monmouth College in Illinois of all places. Among them is a photo of "Rebecca" in profile in a chair next to this radiator in Auburn, Maine.0 -
That radiator has an unusual base
looks like there is, or was, a fresh-air duct that comes up into the base. The door in the base would have been a bypass for the outside air, to be used when ventilation was not needed.
You can see something similar here, on a later column-type radiator- scroll down to page 62 of this PDF, which can be found in the Library:
http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/articles/1256/205.pdfAll Steamed Up, Inc.
Towson, MD, USA
Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
Oil & Gas Burner Service
Consulting0 -
air-box
There is a diagram of the air-box in the link moneypitfeeder attached, p.331:
http://books.google.com/books?id=6kNGAAAAMAAJ&pg=PR12&lpg=PR12&dq=gun+barrel+style+steam+radiator&source=bl&ots=ugICC6UaHR&sig=TYIbdeenS0xRqMnrqlm6RQ6WmPc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WKjMUYWwLNXd4AOMr4DgAQ&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=gun%20barrel%20style%20steam%20radiator&f=false
I tend to open the airbox in the winter and close it in the summer; not sure if that's the thing to do, but it seemed to make sense at the time.
I did look at some of the literature on this site, including the PDF you mention, and the closest I found to my radiators was the cast-iron top on p.68.
I have 5 of these radiators. The smallest is 1 column with 4 sections. I've yet to crank the heat in order to experience them in their full heated glory: Something to look forward to, I think.0
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