Unknown Horn

[Skip Burns]

Gentlemen: On return from the UK in the mid-70s, I brought back boxes of spares, including bits and pieces acquired while searching through the darkened aisles of old ironmonger shops and swap meets. I miss those visits to ironmongers who never seemed to have an inventory but could locate the odd bit, often NOS, at the drop of a hat. One of my favorites was in Hammersmith, and it may be there that I found this item.

Sitting on my bench now is an automobile horn of unknown make and origin which I'd like to identify. I'm considering it as a supplement to my TB's horn, which goes "tweet, tweet" and doesn't scare anyone. It's driven by a 12-volt electric motor with two brushes and weighs about 2 pounds. On one end is the motor housing and on the other is the horn funnel or amplifier. The whole thing is roughly 9 inches long. Five and three-quarters inches of that consists of the funnel amplifier opposite the motor housing, the funnel being 2 inches at its narrowest and 2 3/2 inches at its widest. On the motor end is a removable plate which has stamped on it "Switch off Mains before removing this cover." The word "mains," I believe, identifies this of English origin as "mains" is not an American term. Next to the plate is a brass nut that, when slightly loosened, allows you to rotate a paddle-shaped lever which has stamped on it "adjust 'on-off.'" On either side of the motor housing are two bakelite nuts which hold two spring-loaded brushes. The horn works beautifully, is quite loud, and makes a decidely loud "AAOOOOGAH" sound, much like an old model "T" or model "A". Where the attaching bolt is located are markings "JH3." On the rim where the funnel horn attaches is stamped "K604." If anyone can help identify this horn I'd be most appreciative. Apologies for listing a decidely non-MG item.

Cheers,
Skip (TB0304)

[Geoffrey WHEATLEY]

Sounds like a Firestation horn to me runs on 240 volts and used to call the local Firemen to duty. I remember these as a young boy always wanted to switch one on!

The adjustable plate was provided to assist location, I.e louder when the horn was inside. There were usually two or three of these in any respectable fire station. The give away is the warning to switch off the power before.....240 volts can be an interesting experience first thing in the morning!

Regards Geoff

[taterry@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/5/99 4:02:40 AM Pacific Standard Time, aristarcus@aol.com writes:
it's driven by a 12-volt electric motor with two brushes and about 2 pounds.

Skip if you are sure its 12v, then it sounds like a Klaxon probably off a lorry. My SA Tickford has a Klaxon windshield wiper motor.....but it has a brass palte on it clearly indicating such.
Cheers,
Terry

[Geoffrey WHEATLEY]

Now I know I'm getting old..did not notice the 12 volt information on the horn hence my..now redundant suggestion that it was a 240 volt fire horn...will not try to read Email at 7.30 a.m with a coffee in hand any more...I think I will now quietly fade away!

Regards Geoff

[Skip Burns]

In answer to questions, the horn definitly 12 volts. I hooked it up to my battery and it made one hell of a racket. Geoff Wheatley gave the correct definition: a klaxon. It makes a very loud, beautiful sound probably like the Fire Station klaxon that Terry described. I'm thinking of mounting it somewhere low on the firewall. It's a real antique and don't want to let it sit on the bench.

Cheers, Skip

[Ray McCrary]

Hi all,
The described item is actually a rare, WW2 British submarine diving alert. To switch off mains, one simply stopped the diesel engines, and went to battery power.

The horn drew so much amperage from the charging system, that it caused engine failure on several English subs, causing the boats to be lost at sea (in one case, actually, in harbor). Hence, the mains had to be switched off before removing the cover under with the arming circuitry was located. This was a safety device, designed to minimize loss of life aboard one of HM ships.

This horn can still be used if you live with in 2 miles of a nuclear power plant, and they agree to ship total output to your house for utilization of the "horn".

In addition, advance notice is required to the FAA before horn discharge, to prevent damage to aircraft below 31,000 feet within 29 miles.

Hope this helps!!
Best Regards,

Ray McCrary
"Speed is Life; of course Luck and Altitude are helpful, too."

[Skip Burns]

Ray McCary's humorous, but prophetic horn story plus the interest shown in the unknown klaxon prompts me to leave readers with one last anecdote. Day before yesterday, an old friend and former WWII submariner dropped by to see the car. He saw the horn and asked to hear it. I rigged it up and gave it a blast casuing my better half to come to the garage to see what all the racket was about. My friend's comment: "That's the exact same sound we heard aboard submarines before the command, 'DIVE, DIVE, DIVE,' was given. Could it be? Did submarine klaxons operate on 12-volts? In any event, the horn is being installed on TB 0304. One of these days, I'll put an audio file on the list so you can hear it.

For those who saw "Das Boot" or any of the old "Victory at Sea" movies, they'll know what this sound is. Hollywood made a number of movies about war at sea, several of which starred Robert Mitchum as the usual destroyer captain and Kurt Jurgens playing the role of the u-boat wolf pack leader. As a young fighter pilot, I used to entertain the troops with a parody of those films that went something like this (with proper German accent): Scene. Mitchum is standing on the bridge when he says, "Don't say anything men, but there's a submarine 1,500 yards off our starboard bow. How do I know this? I know this because my right knee is aching." Switch to U-Boat. Jurgens, wearing the standard turtle-neck sweater with his hat turned around is peering through the periscope. "Vell, dere he is. Das is gut! He doen't know ve are here....unless of course, dat's da cap'n with da bad knee. Fire one! Fire two! Fire three! (Long delay) "Ve'll, we missed again! Dat guy up dere must be crazy...does he think torpedoes grow on trees or sump'n?" There's more, bu you get the idea.

Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah with cheers for a Happy New Year, Skip (TB 0304)

[Geoffrey WHEATLEY]

Very Interesting...But!

I think I saw that movie it was called "Showdown at the Bent Knee Coral"

Regards Geoff

[Ray McCrary]

Hi Guys-
SEE! You heard it here first!!

Regards, (untersee-cly),
Ray McCrary

AAAAHHHHOOOOOOOOGA!
Dive,
Dive....

"Dave, The Captain has gone nuts, he thinks this is a sub....let's get that sumbitch out of my seat......."