IH Oil Can Collection

Here’s a neat collection from the Red Power Round Up – IH Oil cans! I spoke with the owners about their collection, which ranges from “pre-tractor” days all the way up to the modern era.

Oil cans like these could be purchased from IH dealers, but were often given away. According to the June 1936 Harvester World dealer magazine, a dealer in Illinois made an oil can third prize in an essay contest on the subject, “Why a Farmer Should Own a Farmall.” (First prize was $5, second prize was an umbrella and a bracket to clamp on to the seat of a tractor or plow). Another spotlighted dealer “[believed] that an oil can with his name on it in every customer’s farm shop is a business-getting reminder. A smile with every can makes the gift doubly acceptable” (Harvester World, September-October 1924).

Doug and Connie Etzkorn certainly have the “smile with every can” part down pat! I really enjoyed getting to know them and their collection. 

The oldest can in the collection is this Deering can with a picture of a man on a Reaper. The oil would have been used for the drive boxes in a sickle bar mower.

The next one is from Johnston Havesting works in Batavia which was bought by International.

This is an embossed IH bell-shaped can.

Here are some more bell-shaped cans, embossed from 1908-1919.

Cream separator oil can, dated 1926.

These next cans are from the same era and were produced in different colors. One from Troy, OH, another from Iowa, the blue one is from Iowa the cream one is from Nebraska.

International Harvester Company made these cans  prior to the previously shown colored ones.

Cream Separator Oil, also dated 1926, great condition can.

Here’s a common IH oil can from the 1940s-1950s.

Here’s a pump oiler can from the late 70s-early 80s.

Low Ash #1 engine oil can, modern.

IH cream separator oil can.

Doug has been collecting the oil cans for about twenty years! Oil cans can be a tricky thing to find in good condition, and the ones he has are certainly impressive. Way to go, Doug!