NOS Battery

[Snakeoil]

An 82 year old friend of mine still runs a shop and back in a dark corner there is a NOS 6V battery. It is still in the box and the hard rubber case is actually shiny. It was dry charged from the factory and never had electrolyte put into it. He cannot remember what it was for. His shop was primarily a motorcycle shop. But he also had an equipment rental business and did equipment repairs. Had an automatic transmission shop in the same building at one time as well. He thinks it might be for a 50's Buick that his father drove. 

 

Is there any value to this battery? I know it's a stretch, but can anyone ID the application? We know it is not an equipment battery. It's for a car.  Pics I took when we found it.

[The 55er]

A product of the Reading Battery Co. in Reading, PA. Don't know what it fits but it's not for a 50s Buick as the old 6 volt cars up to the 1953 Specials all used the long skinny batteries.

[roysboystoys]

Probably has value as a display item in a Gas station or vintage garage recreation. Plenty of collectors would be interested.

Looks about the size of a Small tractor battery , or lower price cars , Chevy , Ford , Plymouth.

The dimensions would give you the Group number in an old catalog, then you could check applications by group. Is there a group number in the case on the sides , near bottom?

Neat find

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by roysboystoys (see edit history)

[JFranklin]

If it does't have a group # give us the dimensions for a more accurate idea of what it can fit. It does have a value maybe above that of a comparable modern unit.

[Snakeoil]

Thanks guys. I will probably see Lance later this week. I'll take some measurements. I thought it was old tractor as well, but he says no. And he's seen more tractors than most.

 

regards,

Rob

[28 Chrysler]

Looks like the size that would fit a Crosley.

[Bloo]

I was thinking one of those old British cars (MGA?) that had a 12 volt system with 2 tiny 6 volt batteries, one on each side of the car for better weight distribution. I imagine if that was it you should have found 2 of them.

[Snakeoil]

Battery measures 7x7x10H

 

Do the numbers stamped in the lead cell connector straps not have any significance?

[roysboystoys]

33 minutes ago, Snakeoil said:

Battery measures 7x7x10H

 

Do the numbers stamped in the lead cell connector straps not have any significance?

I think the stamped numbers are date codes

I think that might be a small tractor or equipment battery, such as a yard tractor.

Possibly used in pairs for 12 volts?

[1912Staver]

It could be as new as the early 1970's . The BSA  motorcycle engine just to the right is probably more valuable.

[Dandy Dave]

I can't remember working on anything that had a square battery. Rectangle ones are the general rule. It would be interesting to know its original application. Dandy Dave! 

[roysboystoys]

17 minutes ago, Dandy Dave said:

I can't remember working on anything that had a square battery. Rectangle ones are the general rule. It would be interesting to know its original application. Dandy Dave! 

17HF is pretty close

 

Maximum Outside Dimension Chart for Automotive Batteries (raybuck.com)