Reliable bantling incubator

[Lmusc]

Hello. I am a new member, so I will appreciate any advice from an expert! I recently purchased an antique Reliable Bantling incubator in very good condition. I've been doing a little research. On the bottom of it, painted in light blue " Reliable - 81".  Does this indicate the year built or model number?
Thanks a lot.
 

[mart]

Incubator for,,,,???   Really need pics !!

[greenacres]

 If I was this person being new I wouldn't be so harsh. "Only experts need to reply!" This is a forum of very nice people. They could have asked nicely. Should I ask him rudely for a picture?

[frogpatch]

I saw one sold on Ebay for 500.00 but without a visual I can't tell if there is a resemblance. This one looked almost like a piece of furniture. Yes, lets not be so harsh.

[mart]

Who was harsh ??  Did I miss something ??

[frogpatch]

It is his sarcastic sense of humor. Could be taken as harsh but really wasn't. 

[mart]

Oh !!  Nope !!  Guess we all are used to it by now !! 

[Lmusc]

Hey Bigwull, did I post enough pics for you? So what's you're expert advice?!

[Lmusc]

Frogpatch, thanks for your I put. I realize that they can go upwards to 500.00. I purchased mine for only 175.00....a steal. I love it and yes it's like a piece of furniture. I know that the Reliable Bantling and Brooder Co made incubAtors in the late 1800 to early 1900's. so, I will be very happy if the number on the bottom indicates the year made. See pics. Thanks.

[dontbe]

Not cool Bigwull. You can mess with people that know you here, and they will know you are just messing with them. But with a brand new poster? I deleted your post. it was of no use. You have more to add than that.

[fancypants]

Cool little unit , Lmusc !

I'd suggest that you do a magnet-check on all the metal parts , so as to see if they match each other metal-wise .
Can't really tell if yours has had a re-finish job done on it , though ... original finish is best !

Ed ... I missed that one before you took it down  .... as in the photo below , you rock !

[Lmusc]

Fancy pants, this does has orginal finish. It was basically untouched, found in an attic of farmhouse that someone recently purchased. I will attach a photo of front label which is so beautiful. The top is in a little rougher shape bc cans must have been placed on top for a while. Since I am new at this, how do I do a metal check...should I take it to someone locally? Logically, this could be my next step.
Thanks!

[ghopper1924]

Not cool Bigwull. You can mess with people that know you here, and they will know you are just messing with them. But with a brand new poster? I deleted your post. it was of no use. You have more to add than that.

Waiting for "I call 'em as I see 'em."

[frogpatch]

Nice item. I really like it. It could be re-purposed for many uses. Great conversation piece.

[mart]

Fancy pants, this does has orginal finish. It was basically untouched, found in an attic of farmhouse that someone recently purchased. I will attach a photo of front label which is so beautiful. The top is in a little rougher shape bc cans must have been placed on top for a while. Since I am new at this, how do I do a metal check...should I take it to someone locally? Logically, this could be my next step.
Thanks!

Just do a visual check,, see if appearance matches each other, magnet, if you have one, look to see if any were replaced,, should be able to tell if there is a line around current metal parts where they were taken off and replaced with a different one !!  Very nice incubator/brooder !! Love those country items !! Ours was one of those round metal ones but we didn`t hatch that many at once !!  What is the heat source in yours ?? That can help date it !!