Windmill and tower markings - black paint / ink

[PaulV]

We recently picked up an Aermotor A602 on a 40' 3 leg trused tower in Fairland, OK. Pretty sure the A602 is the second mill on the tower. An open gear being the first. We found "Fairland, OK" written on one of the legs, still legible after 110+ years.

My question: What type of paint or ink was used to mark the galvanized steel? We often find very legible stenciling with the names of towns, supply houses, owners, etc. on the towers legs and tail vanes. What paint or ink is so durable that it lasts exposure to the elements for over 100 years?

[CTXmiller]

I always thought the paint was lead based and the reason it would last for a century or more and still be legible.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

I agree it's the lead in the paint. !!!

[mtblah]

Carbon black & squid ink

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

The first loop step ladder came out in 1899 i believe. !!

[Wayne]

I found an Aermotor tower on my Great Grandpa's place. With the early peg steps. What was left was still standing with D. and Sons Corisicana Texas on one leg. Never have been able to figure out who D. and Sons was.

[PaulV]

Candidates so far:

• lead-based paint

• Carbon black & squid ink

Is there a source for this type of lead-based paint?

Carbon black and squid ink. Is this an actual ink, or the dye used in lead-based paint?

[mtblah]

Both
Printers & artists & chefs use squid ink to make black

[mtblah]

Lead based paint may be outlawed now ?
Maybe find some old cans of black paint at garage sales , stashed in 100 year old barns, etc

[Ron Stauffer]

Lead in paint and gas was good until it wasn't. For paint that was 1978. You can buy powdered lead for homebrew. If you want to make it also fire proof,
throw in some asbestos...

If the tower is two 20s and not 20 and two 10s AND 15" rungs, it probably originally had an open gear. But there is a blatant incongruity to it.

Was it standing and complete when you got it?

Was it the original installation?

Were there any other shipping addresses on the tower?Or tail vane?

Corner angle of 2 and a 1/2. Or 2 and 3 /8.?