MTFCA Forum

What do you think this tank was originally?
Looks like someone has added a threaded hole a long time ago?

9/10 fuel tank with a very nice cap, hard to find an original one if it is.

I know that basic design was used for two to three years, with at least three variations in the outside the frame rail sediment bowl. I believe it was 1912(?), I could wrong by a year(?), when the sediment bowl was moved to the center of the gasoline tank (directly over the drive shaft!) for a short while, then offset to clear the driveshaft.
I have a very nice original tank very similar to this one (without the added later connection near the middle). I would be interested to know if the details and timelines known have changed any since Bruce published his book? I also have a 1912 project pile (open/commercial roadster) that I have toyed with the idea of using the tank on. However, my understanding is that the tank is technically too early for my 1912 pile.
These tanks, to me, appear to be fairly common in remarkably good condition. I have seen several of them in recent years at swap meets. Perhaps that is an anomaly? A local illusion maybe? Maybe the early tanks survived in better condition because the cars aged out quicker than later cars did? It was frustrating looking for a good enough gasoline tank for my 1915 knowing I had a very nice 1911 tank sitting inside at home.