Indian boat motor supply fuel tank?

[johnyrude200]

Recently acquired this through my travels and am intrigued to find out if it is IN FACT an Indian Boat Motor accessory fuel tank.

I have been closely examining the remnants of the original sticker/decal, and here are two photos; 1 of the original and a 2nd one that I used photoshop to try and ‘piece together’ what it may have originally stated. The tank has the provision to put straps on it and be worn like a backpack.

Any help is appreciated.

[wedgie]

Very Very cool Johnyrude.

I imagine It’s pretty rare. I’d contact Tom Onken for info if he doesn’t see this post.

[Steve A W]

In the early eighties when I joined the volunteer fire dept we used
Indian backpack extinguishers for brush fires.
If it took any amount of time to battle the fire you ended up with bruises on
your back.
They still make them https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DKE8RE/re … 0469304792

Steve A W

Member of the MOB chapter.
I live in Northwest Indiana

[johnyrude200]

After digging more on the web, an Ebay inquiry uncovered that this was probably produced by that same company (D.E. Smith Co.) out of Utica, NY. I did not find any examples of this particular can on Ebay, HOWEVER, I did find several of those backpack style fire extinguishers. The logos appear to be the same and production of this portable tank appears to have been by that same company.

So sadly, my powerball ticket was off by 2 numbers and instead of getting 1 billion dollars, it’s probably just a couple hundred dollar payday 😕 😡 😥

[phil-b]

The Indian Motorcycle Co was in Springfield Mass, so the gas can may not fund anyone’s retirement.

[johnyrude200]

Further complicating things is the help from Tom Oncken, our Indian Motor Special Interest Group leader. Tom found a link to the parent company that owns DB Smith now, an found a historical timeline that may indicate a production period related this can relative to when Indian Outboards were being produced. Utica isn’t that far from Springfield either.

?????

[stanley]

Did Indian motorcycle or outboards ever sell anything with their name in block letters on it?All I recall seeing is the distinctive cursive style.

[johnyrude200]

I don’t think this was made directly by Indian.

[49hiawatha]

Indian was made up the road from me (2 miles) where many relatives worked as well as the Springfield Rolls-Royce, Home of American Bosch(German Bosch seized in 1917) Wico which spun off Phelon. Utica, NY was more known for textile mills and had family who lived & still live there. We also had Utica as one of our racing pigeon release sites. About 200 mile airline or on I-90 today 178 road miles (direct). Not aware of any Utica/Indian Motocycle connection other than bikes/racing. Tom has done a great job on the Indian motors. On the bikes they have a public museum at the Quadrangle(Spfld) and RR , etc. Just down the road from the Springfield Armory Museum ( the 1st one that George Washington started).

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