Chicago Flexible Pipe - Rain King

[gallowolf]

Hi All,

Picked up an old rusty rain king (I am guessing from the 40's). After a bit of clean up I have it functioning "as advertised". I would like to go a bit further though and give it a proper restoration. I need a bit of help from you if you can.

1. What was the original color of these. From what little paint was left it appears to a lime green-ish color?
2. Can all of the hardware be removed from the cast body for painting? If so, how?

I attached a few pics:

1. Old rusty as found.
2. After a good soaking.
3. Current state (and it works!).

Thank you,

Sean

 

[luxflairguy]

Since I collect Rain King, I can answer!

It's from the 40's and was RK first public offering. It came in several sizes, this one being the most common and smallest. There are several bigger models for larger lawns and estates.
The original color was forest green.
Yes, the nozzles can be removed using a small wrench. A good rust breaker soak will be needed. Do not, however, paint the brass nozzles!
But its missing the adjustment screws for the nozzles! Those will be hard to come by!
This threw a circle of water of about 50 feet at the most which was great for the average lawn. And it threw only a circle. But you could turn the center piece and stop the sprinkler in place and turn the nozzles left or right to concencrate their spray on a particular place.
I have about a hundred of these wonderful sprinkler from early to last and a few of their other offerings, especially their traveling sprinkler.
For lots of pics and info, type in Rain King sprinkler on Ebay! Enjoy! Greg

 

[gallowolf]

Hi Greg,

Thank you so much for the response!

Oh I have more questions though.

Can the part the hose screws into be removed, or best to leave it on?
Can you shoot me a picture of one of these adjustment screws?

Once again, thank you so much for sharing.

Sean

 

[tomturbomatic]

The original name of the Sunbeam Company was Chicago Flexible Shaft Company. The original product was sheep shears and the company's big innovation was a flexible power transmission cable to make sheep shearing easier before there were small electric motors to power individual shears.

 

[114jwh]

My grandparents had one of these but it was branded Sunbeam and the frame was painted red. The two nozzles were not painted and they were a bit different than the ones on yours but the rest was identical.

 

[luxflairguy]

Pic of screws

My collection is in Wa State and i live in North Carolina! Here's an Ebay posting of your sprinkler! Enjoy!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vintage-Rain-King-Lawn-Sprinkler-Chicago-Flexible-Shaft-Co-Patd-1925/203023443635?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225074%26meid%3D7f1ddb4ba40542a5aba0f0422f3b6b39%26pid%3D100675

 

[jakoe]

I have one, missing a part?

I have one but it is missing a part that holds the shaft on. I tried an o-ring but that didn't work. Otherwise I think it's all there. I've been looking and looking for years what goes on the end so it doesn't fly off when you turn the water on high. Can someone help?