Well, 2 weeks ago I accquired a 22.5 brown kettle from ebay. Some have seen it in the "What are these" thread over in the 'trading post'. That was before the kettle was given a bath and polish. Last week I finally got to go to work on it. I decided that the front leg socket being bent inward was bothering the hell out of me so I pounded it back into place...VERY CAREFULLY! I used Mother's Mag polish on the legs and the ash pan. Everything on this guy is original minus the wheels. The hubcaps however are from the original wheels. They are slightly different than the modern ones, so I was able to re-use them. I tried to transfer the whitewalls from these new wheels to the originals but they didnt fit right. So here it is, from the model year 1978 (
best guess based on vent style), The 22.5" Weber Bar-B-Kettle,
Copper Mist....a.k.a.....THE WARRIOR!
As it was when i got it. It really wasn't bad, but it was going to get the treatment.
Before straightening, but with new wheels. Yeah, I wasn't having it like this!
Disassembly, socket straightening, cleanup, and rebuild. Some porcelain had been missing near the bent leg socket prior to straightening.
Here's the inside of the bowl all cleaned up. Thats not rust in there. It's Copper Mist overspray. Kind of splattered inside the bowl in spots.
Here's a close up of the vent. Raised Weber logo, no date stamp/letter.
All cleaned up and standing straight and covered in a new 1984 vintage cover acquired earlier this year.
All this kettle needs now is a brand new period correct wood handle and it will be 100% rechristened! I bet i know how I can get one of those!
Craig