57 battery date code stamp sizes

[Mike M.]

i was fortunate to purchase an Ed Gurdjain battery, brand-new old repo stock, and ole ed didn't stamp date codes on the top of the batteries he sold in the 80's. i went to the current 56-7 judging manual and measured the dimensions of the photo on page 151. i then set up a ratio using the width of the gurdjain battery and i come up with 1/4" stampings. i purposely placed my 1/4" stamps one one side of the shop and the battery on the opposite side as i don't want a repeat of the stamps falling off their shelf and striking the top of a part destined to show up on a NCRS judging field. anybody got an opinion as to the size of the stamps used to date code the original deco batteries in 1957? thanks,mike

[Mark S.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

Mike: I will be interested in the information that you receive because I am in the same situation with an undated 80's vintage Ed G. battery unstamped for my late 56. Mark

[Gary C.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

Mike,

Measures right at 5/32" + tall, so guessing it's a 3/16 inch stamp. Definitely, not a 1/4 inch stamp.

Gary
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[Barry H.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

Mike, I have an old repro Ed Gurdjian battery from I think a early 61 I restored. (believe 57 thru 61 is the same) It is a DC 12 459 tar top with a 0MV stamped date. Also has "A -: 19G" molded into the bottom. I think Ed was dating them then & the top stamp is 3/16".
Now I have to find a good battery rebuilder. Barry

[Mike M.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

barry do u recall when u bought the battery from ed? see ya in lakeland. mike

[Barry H.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

Mike, Not sure, I bought several at the time, a 57, a 64, & 65. might be able to find receipt. See you at Lakeland. Barry

[Mike M.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

looks like 3/16" was stamp size. both vinny peters(who photos hoped then measured), gary chestnut, and barry holmes all come up with 3/16" stamp size. that's what i'm going with. mike

[Mike E.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

Glad to see this conversation! Still have my unused Gurdjian for a 62.

[Mike M.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

just a reminder boys: DO NOT Stamp with a hammer as the plastic top of the battery is fragile. i tried stamping with hammer blow to the top of an old worn out battery and punctured the plastic. simply heat the stamps to near red hot then gently press the stamp into the plastic top. mike

[Barry H.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

Mike, Now that you mention it looks as though the numbers were "branded" into the plastic. I also have an old (never filled) Gurdjain battery for a 64, might be able to repurpose it for my 62. Barry

[Gary C.]

Re: 57 battery date code stamp sizes

Mike,

IIRC, Ed used an electric heated iron to add the numbers. He had driven a motorhome to one of our Texas Chapter events.

Gary
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