Mystery Black N Code

[SixZeroFour]

So here's an interesting one for you! This little fellow came up from Portland and as you can see is in very nice shape... the handles barely look used and it came with a sidekick table in just as nice of condition.

Here's where things get strange. Take a look at the 3 wheeler vent dampers - they are bolt on, not rivet, and also the vents themselves in the bowl are teardrop shape - not circles like we're all used to. To make things more interesting the bowl dampers ARE stamped "N" just like the vent. Finally no whitewalls on the wheels... is this a Frankenkettle with possibly an econo-bottom? It's just in such nice shape it's very odd to think they would A - need to replace the bowl, and B - go to all the trouble of tracking down the proper matching "N" stamps?? Very weird!










What's your guess?

[MaxBobcat]

I had a 22 Three-Wheeler redhead I sold to dwnthehatch that had the same bolt on vents on the bottom.   Don't know about the holes in the kettle though.  IIRC, they were the regular circle.  Same no-white-wall wheels and only one bowl handle.

[1buckie]

Dunno......seems almost like they grabbed a WSM bowl & stuck leg sockets on it?

Harbormaster & some other folks will know better, but I think matching bowl sockets & teardrops are a WSM thing......

It's also got the 'less expensive model' racing triangle there, so maybe a spare parts combo?

[SixZeroFour]

It's also got the 'less expensive model' racing triangle there, so maybe a spare parts combo?

lol, are you calling my girl grill cheap? 

[1buckie]

Mere speculation.......not being judgmental nesscessarily...............

[Craig]

These are both 1990s era "BAR-B-KETTLE: The Basic Weber Kettle" These came with only one bowl handle, bolt on daisy vents, tear drop shape vent holes (on the 18"s anyway I have one) black wall wheels, and the single center spoke triangle. They also came with the lighter weight cooking grate with the half circle shape grate handles. Those are both nice! I'd love to find a red 90s 22 daisy wheeler.


These specs (minus the daisy wheels, black walls and wooden handles) would be carried over to the One Touch Silver beginning in 2000.

[SixZeroFour]

Thanks Craig! Figured it must have all come together one way or another!

[MaxBobcat]

Yep, craig's got it right.  These were def the econo-models compared to MTs that were selling at that time...   

The one I had came with a normal triangle but it was black.

[Craig]

Yep, craig's got it right.  These were def the econo-models compared to MTs that were selling at that time...   

The one I had came with a normal triangle but it was black.

Love that 95 redhead.

[weirleigh]

Very interesting, at least to me, I wonder if the teardrop vent was a designers way of morning the coming end of the BAR-B-KETTLE line?

[MaxBobcat]

Forgot to say, Very classy looking black Six!  Looks great.

[Heyjude]

I have the exact grill in a 22. Last of the 3 wheelers were sold as put it together kits.
Good and bad.. Makes them easy to change the vents. Bad as the nuts and bolts always get corroded.
If only Weber would have used SS hardware...

[GregS]

looks in great shape six!  another tween era kettle definitely a keeper. 

congrats!