antique turn signals

oldwoodsman

oldwoodsman

Senior Member
Saw these at a antique shop in Superior Wi. Not sure if they are for a model A . They have some kind of a clamp and a spring actuated arm along with a actuating latch. Has anyone seen one before? It seems as though it would be just as easy to stick your arm out the window to signal a turn as the window would have to be down in order to actuate this and reset the arm.
 

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People are looking for lighted turn signals.....not hand signals or other mechanical signals; I'm not sure these would be either safe or effective.
 
I agree Terry. I think folks these days do not know or understand hand signals, I have been cut off and almost hit when making a turn.... I think because they did not understand what I was signaling.
I sometimes use my index finger to point and and wave in the direction I am turning.
Model A fun.
 
That type of signal is more at home on a AA truck. The wide beds tend to defeat the arm signals and the bed may obstruct the view when trying to move to the right lane.
 
I have two NOS accessory turn signals from the late 1920's. I do not have the type that you have. The type you show are referred to as 'Semaphores'. Much like a flag signalman on a ship, used to signal messages to another ship, using Morse Code. These mechanical 'arms' were used by trucks up into the 1940's, but automobiles stopped using them by the early 1930's.
 
VW's had a lit plastic semaphore that popped out of the post behind the door, one on each side, to show direction of turn only not for stopping. They operated by an electromagnet.
 
DougVieyra said:
I have two NOS accessory turn signals from the late 1920's. I do not have the type that you have. The type you show are referred to as 'Semaphores'. Much like a flag signalman on a ship, used to signal messages to another ship, using Morse Code. These mechanical 'arms' were used by trucks up into the 1940's, but automobiles stopped using them by the early 1930's.
Click to expand...

The lighted swing-up arm type turn signals (operated by an internal solinoid) are more commonly referred to as "trafficators". Doing a search on FordBarn for trafficators will bring up the previous discussions and some neat photos of various styles as well...including some Ford script ones designed specifically for the Model A (in Europe) (see photo below).

296508


Brad in Maryland
 

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Volkswagen's used those pillar mounted wand signals through 1955.....I know, my dad bought a new one that year, after that they went to turn signal lights on the front fenders.
 
Anybody remember the prize winning manufacturers warning label on an iron ...... "Do not iron your clothes while wearing them."

Times are changing.

Quite a few texting, opiate drivers today, while driving, do not even see large transport trucks in front of them today ...... they smash right into them often ...... one can just imagine how effective a signal warning would be if one depended on holding out a thumb & four (4) fingers.

But ..... just wait .... if "all" drugs become legal in "all" States, when shopping, we may have to consider wrapping our "parked" Model A's with double mattresses.
 
Anybody interested please contact me for 2 pairs of 'similar turn signals' used on '30's European cars. Solonoid operated.

Henk
 
Very Cool! I would install them for the novelty and keep your regular blinkers as well.
 
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