The A.R. Smith Manufacturing Co. of East Orange, New Jersey, operated as a specialist producer of water meters, meter valves, and municipal cast‑iron hardware operating from 1895 to 1935. Their products were sold under the trade name “Federal”, a brand that became known for durable construction and practical engineering suited to the rapidly expanding water‑supply networks of the era.

Federal’s range included:

- Positive‑displacement water meters

- Compound and high‑flow meters

- Meter valves and strainers

- Meter box lids and cast‑iron fittings

- This combination of precision brass meter bodies and robust iron hardware positioned Federal as a versatile supplier to municipal water authorities across the United States.

Exported to Australia Through A.P. Eagers:

During the 1910s–1930s, Australian distributor A.P. Eagers imported a wide range of U.S. water‑works equipment. Through this channel, Federal water meters and meter valves were installed by councils and water boards throughout Australia.

Federal meters were often paired with:

U.S. meter boxes, Australian‑installed pipework, Local council fittings.

This hybrid supply chain reflects the globalised nature of early water‑metering infrastructure in Australia.

Legacy:

Although A.R. Smith Manufacturing Co. ceased operations by the mid‑20th century, their Federal meters and fittings remain in collections, service pits, and historical archives. These pieces preserve the story of a modest New Jersey manufacturer whose work became part of Australia’s water‑supply heritage. Surviving Federal meters are rare, making them valuable artefacts for understanding the evolution of water measurement in both the United States and Australia. The HWM.Museum has a rare 3/4" Federal Water Meter in pristine condition in its collection.