Swingspout Oil Can Red Flexible Spout Missing Lid

This Swingspout oil can is a vintage red painted metal oiler with a flexible corrugated swing spout, embossed Swingspout lettering, carrying handle, and thumb operated valve mechanism.

The red paint still gives the can strong display color, while the surface shows widespread paint loss, scratches, darkening, exposed metal, and wear, and the circular top lid is missing.

Its working garage form and worn red finish fit a petroliana collection, workshop display, service station collection, or shelf of old automotive and industrial tools.

Details

• Item: Swingspout oil can
• Item Type: Flexible spout metal oil can
• Era:  1930s to the 1950s.
• Materials: Painted metal
• Color: Red with exposed silver toned metal
• Maker and Mark: Swingspout embossed on front. FILL TO ARROW POINT and LIQUID embossed on reverse.
• Style: Industrial garage and service station equipment
• Dimensions: Approximately 7 inches tall, 11 inches wide overall, with a body approximately 4 1/4 inches round
• Special Features: Flexible corrugated swing spout, spout support wire, metal carrying handle, embossed lettering, and thumb operated valve mechanism

Condition Grade: Fair

Positives

• Graded Fair: The can remains solid and visually distinctive for display, but it has a missing lid and substantial surface wear from use.
• The flexible corrugated spout remains attached, including its support wire that holds the spout near the body.
• The metal thumb lever mechanism remains present across the top opening.
• The embossed Swingspout name is still readable on the front despite surrounding paint wear.
• The red paint remains bright across much of the body, handle, and spout, giving the piece strong contrast against the exposed metal.
• The rectangular carrying handle remains attached to the body.

Issues / Wear

• The circular cap or lid that originally covered the large top opening is missing.
• The red painted finish has widespread chips, scratches, rubbing, darkened areas, and exposed metal across the body, rim, handle, and spout.
• The upper rim shows especially heavy paint loss and surface wear.
• The end of the spout is visibly worn and irregular in shape.
• The exposed metal portions show oxidation, staining, and discoloration from age and use.
• The embossed lettering on portions of the body is worn and difficult to read.

Condition Grade Key

• Near Fine: Close to new. Any flaw is small and named above.
• Very Good: Light use. Every flaw is named above, and none of them get in the way of reading or display.
• Good: Complete and usable, with clear signs of use. Every flaw is named above.
• Fair: Heavy wear or damage, named above. A reading or working copy, not a display piece.

Collector's Notes

Flexible spout oil cans were made to let a mechanic direct lubricant into areas that were difficult to reach with a rigid pouring can.

Even with its missing lid, it has the shape, color, and visible history that make old shop equipment interesting to display.

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Disclaimer

All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece, please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.

I do my best to capture colors accurately, but your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.

Please Note

These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.

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