Can anyone identify this old Alemite grease gun?

[Bobs29ModelA]

I picked-up this old Alemite mini grease gun at an antique store a while back, for a mere $2.99. It seemed almost identical to the ones that I've seen in pictures of Model A tool kits, except that the loop on this one is shaped slightly differently than the ones I always see in the toolkit photos. The only markings on this one are on the top of the cylinder, around where the plunger enters, saying "Alemite - Made in USA".

Could this in fact be a Model A grease gun? Or, perhaps a later grease gun given with later year Ford (or other maker) car models? Or, does it have anything to do with Ford at all?

[700rpm]

Model A era but not Model A issue.

[Clem Clement]

There are a bizilion shapes to Alemilte guns. I wouldn't be surprised if the "model A Shape" wasn't available in the open market.

[Bruce Lancaster]

I think that one may well be a type used in V8 Ford kits...there were two similar generations after 1934. Post diameter and length!

[Tudortomnz]

That is not a Model A issue 'gun. The A size 'gun [ 2 oz] was issued until 1934 , but after this the 'gun was like the one pictured above. I believe that from about 1938, not all cars were issued with them as by then most owners were getting lubes done at the garages, so why issue them. The deluxe models may have had them in '38 & '39.
The same bell as the A size, but with different nozzles & handles[ some twist type & some with a wooden grip] were also issued for other car makes or sold on the general market.

[Bobs29ModelA]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My thanks to all who shared their insight here.

I only know that I picked-up two of these units (the other one being slightly different from the one pictured) for a mere $8.00, which isn't bad for an old curiosity like these. (Besides, they'll look good hanging on my garage wall! Ha!).

[Clydes 31 P/U]

Bob, I came across this one at a flea market $2 picked it up because I'd never seen one with a zerk on the gun for filling it, I guess. My better half asked why I needed this and I said because it's old and odd, she said she could understand that, she was looking dead at me with a smile on her face when she said that, should I have been offended?

[gweilbaker]

Do these leak ooze like the modern ones?

GW

[Bobs29ModelA]

Wow, that's an interesting mini grease-gun, for sure! Not sure what the zerk fitting is for, because if you were supposed to use that zerk fitting to fill the mini (with another larger gun), seems to me it would take a very long time to fill it, versus simply opening it up and packing more grease into the gun. Maybe the zerk was somehow supposed to lubricate the plunger or something?

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Clydes 31 P/U

...because it's old and odd...

My wife says that about me all the time.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Bobs29ModelA

Wow, that's an interesting mini grease-gun, for sure! Not sure what the zerk fitting is for, because if you were supposed to use that zerk fitting to fill the mini (with another larger gun), seems to me it would take a very long time to fill it, versus simply opening it up and packing more grease into the gun. Maybe the zerk was somehow supposed to lubricate the plunger or something?

Many grease guns have a fitting or a plug where the fitting would be installed and can be easily refilled from the pneumatic grease guns that are mounted to a 5 gallon pail of grease, like we used to have at the service station in the 60's.

[Bobs29ModelA]

A little further research on my part has determined that my grease gun is most likely from the '32 Ford Flathead V-8 era, rather than a true Model A grease gun. It's still pretty cool, though!

[Bruce Lancaster]

Post-32...the basic model A type gun was used through about '34, I think coinciding with that early style of Zerk. When the tighter snap-on type appeared on Fords about 1935, they went to two slightly different alemites like yours differing in diameter, change of types about 1937.
I have the details from V8 resto sources around somewhere.

[Bobs29ModelA]

Thanks for the updated info; my gun indeed does not have the standard "zerk" fitting on it as we know today, but came with the older style that seemed to properly fit the old non-zerk fittings on my Model A. I've never seen that type of fitting on a grease gun, which definately makes it an oldie!