Old Walter Kiddie find With 1/2” straight thread valve

[ScubaBunga]

Wanted to drop a note on (what I think is) a neat find I have.

I picked up a tank for free off craigslist months ago. Thought it was just another steel 72 2250 with a 1/2” valve. I finally got to it and discovered it’s a 1961 Walter kiddie 2400psi tank. It’s got the soda bottle bottom. And I think it’s a straight thread valve with an oring. I’ve had several 1/2” valve tanks but they have all been the tapered with Teflon tape. Valve is a sportsways. As the tank was used for nitrox before, I’m taking it in for hydro, will clean the valve and put it back in nitrox use. Anyone have more info on this tank? Is it a 72 or something else? It does seem to be an inch or so taller and crown seems more round than my other steels. Numbers: ICC-3AA-2400. S/n 3237CF. Born Jan 1961

OK my best google foo has failed me. I can’t find anything on this old tank. Someone here must have some details on the old steel WK. All I can find is info on the old aluminum ones. Help!

 

[Sam Miller III]

it has a bump bottom which allows it to stand up right and was originally used to charge soft drink (sodas) machines
It is probably not galvanized
if it passes hydro perfectly good to use as a dive tank
It will be be negative -- generally VERY negative
go for it !

Sam Miller, 111

 

[captain]

If I remember correctly Nemrod sold bump bottom tanks. Do not know anything about the valves on them. Are there any stamping on the tank that might indicate what brand it was sold under.

 

[Sam Miller III]

@captain
you are so correct !
I only have seen them in later catalogs- Nemrod was not popular in SoCal
BUT
the date on the tanks is 1961 -- I don't recall Nemrod being marketed in US in 1961
but it is certainly a possibility - The major manufactures during that era were Sportsways, US Dicers Voit /Swimaster

Happy that your and yours survived the last hurricane -- I was concerned

Sam miller, 111

 

[ScubaBunga]

Some pics. Manufacturer should be Walter kiddie, has a k inside circle on born date, and has WK stamp - inspected by arrowhead - the A inside An arrowhead.

 

[Bob DBF]

the date on the tanks is 1961 -- I don't recall Nemrod being marketed in US in 1961
but it is certainly a possibility - The major manufactures during that era were Sportsways, US Dicers Voit /Swimaster

Nemrod marketed in the US starting in '59, since they were out of Spain, they probably started on the east coast and expanded from there. Also being the "little guy" why go 3000 mi more to compete with the big outfits, just guessing.

Interesting reading, which I could do when not in Spanish.

Double Hose Regulators - Nemrod

The reference to the year sales of their regs in the US us down a ways, scroll down 'till you see the blue hoses on their double hose, it's around there.


Cheers
Bob

 

[ScubaBunga]

Just got the tank back from hydro. All good but could not plus it as they had no specs or ree. I was not surprised with this as I have been unable to find any specs info on this tank. Just how rare are these? 1961 Walter kiddie, 2400 steel with bump bottom and 1/2” straight thread valve. If anyone has ree info, let me know and I’ll save it for next time. I’ve seen some info on 2250 tanks but not 2400. Anyone have info/links?

 

[ScubaBunga]

Anyone? Does no one have any info/specs on these Walter kiddie tanks? Is it that rare? I would really like to find a ree value to save for next hydro. For now it’s in the cleaning process to return it to be a nitrox tank.

thanks.

 

[ScubaBunga]

Well it’s not a ree value but I did find a patent stamp on the bottom of the tank. Apparently for the cylinder design including the bump bottom from 1951.
High-pressure container