Signal Stat directional signals

[astroguy]

I have a nice pair of the Signal Stat 704 directional signal lights.

 

Questions;

 

1     Any history on these lights or company?  My internet searches come up empty.

 

2     What lens material did they use in the lamp housing?  Did they have plastic back then?

 

3     The rivets holding the lens and metal backing are riveted in. The rivets look to be brass and are hollow.  Any resources for replacing these?  

 

Thank you!!!

 

 

[Gary_Ash]

Here's a link to some info about the Signal Stat Lighting Co.:  http://www.ebay.com/gds/Signal-Stat-1936-1960-era-turn-signals-for-trucks-/10000000002115657/g.html

Signal Stat was purchased by Truck-Lite in March, 2002.

 

Plastics were developed in the 1850's and several types of sheet plastic were available before 1900.  It is possible that Signal Stat started using cellulose acetate sheet for the lenses, and soon switched to more durable acrylic sheet (Lucite, Plexiglas, etc.).  Today, cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) sheet would be a good choice for a dyed material that can be easily heat formed.  Otherwise, you might be able to cast a useable replica from pourable resin with some amber dye after making a silicone rubber mold of the original.  The original lenses are very thin, perhaps 0.010" to 0.020" thick. 

 

Just Google "tubular rivets brass" to find a vendor.  My local True Value and Ace hardware stores have them in blister packs.  Put the rivet through the holes in both metal parts and push the head down tight.  Put a small bearing ball on the open end of the tube and squeeze it down with ViseGrips or an arbor press.  Once the end of the tube starts to curl over, take the ball off and press it down tight.  You can make a rivet set to form the end a little neater by drilling a shallow cone into the end of a 3/8x3/8 steel bar.

 

Here is a Signal Stat turn signal on my 1948 Studebaker M5 pickup truck.

 

[astroguy]

Thank you Gary, excellent information!!   Will do a little more study on plastics and will hunt down some rivets tomorrow. not sure where I might use these someday, but fun to research and restore.