|
This Fine Bonnet Has Been Sold. Thank you!
Ca 1908 SCHRADER COMMERCIAL
NECK aka BREAST
FEED
DIVING BONNET
DIMENSIONS OF BONNET: 11” H
x 12 3/4” W x 13" D WEIGHT 17.5 lbs
Presented is
an authentic 3 light Schrader commercial bonnet which was made around 1908 - 1910 whose air was intended to be supplied
though an inlet in the breast plate thereby making this one of the rarest Schrader bonnets known to exist.
A picture of a Morse neck feed breast plate of the same period is shown below.
It also has the unusual and distinctive
rims around the side lights that are rarely seen except on early Schrader bonnets. The picture of the full helmet in the gallery
below is of a normal feed helmet that was mad by Schrader around the same time and served as the basis for the design of the
U.S. Navy Mk V which was introduced in 1916.
Clues in dating this bonnet are:
- No air inlet elbow
- One
piece bonnet
- Raised
rims or collars around side lights
- No
communication elbow
- Fixed
flange cast as part of ring for lock
- Small
knob on exhaust manifold
- Schrader did not number helmets of this period or style
- Light weight
CONDITION: At one hundred plus years old, it is in outstanding condition with very
few dents. Note the heavy soldering around the spitcock which is a later modification. It's deep dark patina has
a brownish cast which is quite unusual. The bonnet is complete in all respects with all moving parts operating and
guaranteed authentic. There are no numbers as was Schrader's practice. There is only one air passage inside, and no evidence
that any others were ever present. The helmet weighs only 17 1/2 pounds.
The bonnet is being offered for display only, and should not be used for any other purpose unless certified
by a competent diving shop.
|
|
|
Morse Neck Feed Breast Plate |
|
BRIEF HISTORY
OF A. SCHRADER'S & SON: August Schrader arrived in
New York in August of 1940 from Hamburg, Germany where he was a mechanic. By 1844, he had opened a shop at 115 John St in
Manhattan making parts for taking daguerreotype photographs. Shortly thereafter, Christian Baecher joined the company. Baecher
was a metal worker in brass.
In 1846, Schrader took
an interest in an underwater race in lower Manhattan off "The Battery". After inspecting the divers equipment he decided that
he could make improvements and better helmets. By 1849, Schrader had made two helmets which he sold to the Union India Rubber
Co. of New York for $12.00 each. More orders were to follow. He produced an improved air pump in 1856, and now was well underway
in the diving equipment business.
During the onslaught
of World War Two only Morse and Schrader were making dive helmets for the Navy. And it is believed that a Schrader helmet
was the basis for the design of the U.S. Navy Mk V that was adopted in 1916.
In 1952, the company
was sold to Craftsweld Manufacturing Corp. In 1999 Craftsweld sold the assets of Schrader to Atlantic Diving Equipment,Co.,
but kept the use of the Schrader name.
Based
on excerpts from the book, "100 Years of Air Control, 1844-1944", by A. Schrader's & Son"
|
GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION: You must be fully satisfied with your purchase on
arrival and that our description is entirely accurate or your money back. The only conditions are that an email authorization
be obtained within three days, and that the instrument is returned in its original condition and packaging, and insured for
its full value. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless we are at fault.
International buyers welcome,
but contact us first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British
Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, England, France, Germany,
Greece,Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova
Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand,
Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.
ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer,
cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No checks from overseas
buyers, no credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.
Copyright 2008 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights
Reserved
Picture of helmet and design drawings are under the Copyright
of Atlantic Diving Co., All Rights Reserved |
| Select a thumbnail from the left to zoom. |
|
Image #1
Image #2
Image #3
Image #4
| |
|
|
| Image hosting and Zoom Gallery by
VillagePhotos.com | |
|
|
|
