Might as well, they hate me already...

[saxart]

I've been getting CONSTANT fun ribbing from the Mpls/St. Paul WKC group after my recent gasser purchase this past August. 

(Thread posted here:  http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-gas-grills-electric-cookers/the-'ranch'-version-of-a-gasser/  )

Anyway, last night I'm searching our local CL and come across this:



At first I saw an old, faded 22" kettle, so I clicked onward to the next ads in the search.  Then it hit me....

"Was that...?.   Um...  Wait...   I need to look at that picture again!"    

So I went back to the ad and looked again, then instantly sent a message to the seller that I would take the grill.  He called me back and we set up a pick up this evening.  When we met, the seller was very apologetic about the condition of the grill, mentioned that he was ashamed that the legs were loose, but mentioned the free chimney, new back of Kingsford "Hickory", and grill brush that came with it in an attempt to smooth-over the deal.  Needless to say, I was OK with it all.   

I'll let the pictures explain why my local WKC'ers hate me:  LOL   

















By the way, I'm a little perplexed about the age of this kettle.   I know it falls within the 1962-68 era, but any further info would always be appreciated!

[coldkettle]

I saw that one last night!  Glad someone on here got it!  A little too far for me to drive during the middle of the week. 

[SixZeroFour]

So a Summit for $45 and a sweet old 26'r for 15 bones?!? ... that's kettle karma at it's finest people - couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!  Congrats Art!
 

[MrHoss]

I think I like the old ones better than the the funny handled new ones.  That is a fine pickup there.  Tell me does it come with a hinged cooking grate?  I saw a Ranch Kettle over the weekend that was probably from the late 70's and it had a hinged cooking grate.

[jcnaz]

SWEET!!

[Winz]

Art - I am really happy for you. An old 26 is a very special kettle and that one is killer! 

Congrats!

Winz

[1buckie]

"I'll let the pictures explain why my local WKC'ers hate me:  LOL    "


Hate's an awfully strong word, don't ya think?


NICE !!!!!!


PS: There just ain't very much chipping on that at all......pretty dang ......NICE !!!!!

[Bob BQ]

Nice! You're having a great month!

[pbe gummi bear]

Nice kettle! Spotting the 26'rs via just the lid is tough. The extra space around the vent is usually the best giveaway. Congrats!

[1buckie]

"By the way, I'm a little perplexed about the age of this kettle"

This is an interesting one....I've been paying more attention to all this since I got the old one.....

This looks flat top, which should be past 1968, but there's no Pat. Pending on the vent, which puts it before 1968 ?!!??!!

There was thumbscrews, right?
Looks like they were there but missing?

Not sure....think we need Craig in on this one here......  @Craig


EDIT:
Looking around at others, maybe that's not a flat top, eh?

[saxart]

Hate's an awfully strong word, don't ya think?

1Buckie-
Yes, when I say "hate", I'm using the word VERY jokingly.  We've got a great local group here in our area, so I don't think "hate" will ever come into the equation with any of us.

I believe this one does have factory thumb-screw holes, but as you mention they were missing.  (Replaced with the ever-popular "drywall screws".)   

I did a little more research via the old online Weber catalogs this morning.  Does anybody know if the absence of "pat pending" stamp on the vents was a "hard ending" for 1968?  This kettle does not have "pat pending" on the lid damper, but has plastic hubcaps.  I notice that all of the grills in the 1968 catalog use metal hubcaps, while all of the grills in the 1972 catalog use plastic hubcaps.  This one has plastic hubcaps which appear to be original.  Is it possible that this could be a 1969 or later?   Transitional?  Hmmmm....   

I'd love for this to be a 1969, as that's my model-year as well!   

[G]

You're on a roll Art.  That's a beautiful old 26er.....(drool).

[GregS]

wow that thing looks in amazing condition.  congrats on a beauty! 

[OoPEZoO]

Sweet score......reminds me of how I got my red 26er.  I answered an ad for a red 22 that was in so-so shape.  When I showed up, the guy pulled out a red 26er.  I about pooed.  He had the red 22 as well, but accidentally posted the wrong pic in the ad.  I ended up buying both of them. :-)

[1911Ron]

Nice looking 26er!