RARE 1920s Magnus Root Beer Type M-L Barrel Fountain Dispenser Porcelain Antique

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RARE 1920s Magnus Root Beer Type M-L Barrel Fountain Dispenser Porcelain Antique:
$3000.00

RARE 1920s MAGNUS ROOT BEER TYPE M-L BARREL FOUNTAIN / DISPENSER — SERIAL NO. 7687 — SAN FRANCISCO

Offered here is an outstanding piece of early American soda-fountain and advertising history: an original Magnus Fruit Products Co. Root Beer Barrel Fountain, manufactured in San Francisco, California.

This example retains its original manufacturer’s identification plate identifying it as:

MAGNUS FRUIT PRODUCTS CO.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., U.S.A.

TYPE M-L

SERIAL NO. 7687

This is not simply a decorative advertising barrel. It was commercial soda-fountain equipment designed for dispensing Magnus Root Beer in drugstores, confectioneries, restaurants and soda fountains during the early decades of the 20th century.

Period research confirms that Magnus Fruit Products Co. was actively manufacturing and marketing root beer dispensing equipment during the 1920s. A 1922 San Francisco business directory specifically advertised Magnus Root Beer, “Root Beer Barrel Fountains,” and soda-fountain equipment, making “Root Beer Barrel Fountain” the documented period terminology for this type of Magnus equipment.

ORIGINAL FEATURES

This large Type M-L example retains an impressive amount of its original construction and equipment, including:

* Original Magnus Fruit Products Co. factory identification plate

* Type M-L designation

* Serial No. 7687

* Original barrel-style body with faux wood-grain finish

* Original MAGNUS ROOT BEER advertising

* Original colorful “IT’S FINE IN THE STEIN” graphic

* Porcelain/enamel fountain base

* Integral drip/catch area

* Original-style dispensing faucet assembly

* Light-colored ball faucet handle

* Removable metal top/lid

* Internal reservoir

* Substantial original internal dispensing/mechanical equipment

* Original metal bands and hardware

The machine measures approximately 30½ inches tall and approximately 21 inches in diameter.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Magnus Fruit Products Co. operated in San Francisco and supplied the soda-fountain and confectionery trade.

Period documentation establishes Magnus selling root beer barrels by at least 1921, and a 1922 San Francisco directory specifically lists the company as supplying:

Magnus Root Beer — Root Beer Barrel Fountains — Soda Fountain Equipment

Magnus was more than a syrup company. Historical records show the company developed and manufactured commercial beverage-dispensing equipment and patented dispensing technology during the 1920s.

Magnus Fruit Products later became part of Lyons-Magnus in 1929, helping place this Magnus Fruit Products Co.-marked machine within the company’s early/pre-merger period.

A smaller surviving Magnus barrel fountain has been documented with its original factory plate identifying it as Type M-5, Serial No. 5674. It shares many construction and advertising characteristics with this larger Type M-L, Serial No. 7687, providing useful evidence of Magnus’s M-series barrel-fountain family.

The exact meaning of the factory M-L designation has not been established from surviving Magnus literature, so no unsupported interpretation of that designation is being made here.

CONDITION

This dispenser is being offered as found and unrestored.

Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

The piece shows authentic age and commercial use, including finish loss, scratches, oxidation, staining, wear and areas of paint/wood-grain loss. There is particularly noticeable finish loss and wear around the dispensing area and lower portion of the barrel.

The porcelain/enamel base displays age-related wear, staining, chips and surface imperfections. Metal components and internal equipment show oxidation and age.

Importantly, the machine retains substantial internal equipment rather than being an empty advertising shell.

No representation is being made that the dispenser is currently operational, complete enough for operation, or suitable for dispensing beverages. It is being sold strictly as an antique advertising/soda-fountain collectible.

Nothing has been cosmetically restored to disguise its age. I have intentionally left the dispenser in its present condition rather than repainting, refinishing or aggressively polishing an approximately century-old piece of commercial equipment.

COLLECTOR APPEAL

Early soda-fountain equipment has become increasingly difficult to find with this degree of original advertising and mechanical content intact.

The combination of:

Magnus Root Beer advertising + “It’s Fine in the Stein” graphics + original Type M-L factory plate + serial #7687 + porcelain base + dispensing hardware + surviving internal equipment

makes this a particularly interesting piece for collectors of:

Early soda advertising, soda fountains, root beer memorabilia, general-store advertising, drugstore advertising, antique dispensers, country-store equipment and early American commercial equipment.

It is also an exceptional display piece due to its approximately 30½-inch height and 21-inch diameter.

SHIPPING / PICKUP

Because of the size, weight, age and construction of this dispenser, local pickup or buyer-arranged transport is strongly preferred.

I am willing to work with the buyer or a reputable antique/sign transport service to coordinate pickup and to crate the item to ship through other transportation services at an additional cost.

Any shipping or transportation arrangements and costs should be discussed before purchase.

Please ask any questions before buying. Additional detailed photographs are available upon request.