Barrel Detail Wet or dry barrel design is listed. When a O.D. rib is cast onto the barrel at the ground line this is listed. The number of bolts on a two piece joint is also listed as a further aid to identification. The surface texture of the upper barrel casting is also indicated. Most are either smooth or vertically fluted.
Main valve opening size is listed for dry barrel hydrants.
This number is cast onto the barrel in most dry barrel hydrants manufactured in the past 75 years. A distinguishing characteristic of wet barrel hydrants is the type and shape of the bonnet. Later the bonnet was cast integral with the barrel. Newer designs simply enclose the top of the barrel without making a design statement. Another distinguishing characteristic of wet barrel hydrants is the valve stem guides of the individual valves as to how they were designed to be removed.