Splitdorf item for identification

[zipdang]

Hello! This is my first posting here on the AACA site. I've been reading here for a while and finally decided to join up. Within a very old and very cool wooden chest I received from my wife's aunt were a couple of items I believe are auto related. The chest belonged to the aunt's grandfather who was a boat builder in Massachusetts. Hopefully the pictures I'm attempting to post will show a Splitdorf switch box? coil? or whatever. It has three positions on the switch -  "1", "2" and "off." One heavy lead comes out of the back of the oak box.  The box is approximately 6" high and 4" square. Any help in application or age? Anyone have a need for this? A couple of other items I'll post later when this one works successfully!

 

[1912Staver]

It's a Splitdorf coil. Could be anywhere from pre 1910 to the later 20's. If it was used on a automobile it will be from a quite early one {pre 1910 single Cyl.}. If it came from a boat it could easily be up to the 20's or even newer. The 1-2, or both sounds like it was intended for a single cyl. engine with 2  plugs [not uncommon on marine engines in the early days}  They are not all that rare and versions were made by more or less all of the ignition company's. They show up reasonably often on Ebay, and generally sell for modest prices.

 If you have the top cover it will increase the value. {have a good look in the trunk}.

Greg in Canada

Edited May 29, 2015 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[Seldenguy]

I thought the 1 - 2 numbers on the switch refer to the dry cell battery packs that were used on the one and two cylinder cars of the day  When one pack was exhausted, you switched to the alternate set to get home or to a hardware store? My '05 Maxwell was set up that way. Greg made a good point on looking for the cover, it is very important to the coils value.  --Bob

[zipdang]

Thank you 1912Staver and Seldenguy! Unfortunately I've completely emptied the chest (after taking multiple photographs) and there is no top to this box. To further dismay, the barn where the chest came from has been razed. Anyway, I thought I'd post a couple pictures of the chest just for kicks. Does anyone have a need for this coil?

[28 Chrysler]

The chest looks like a carpenters tool chest.

Tools and some hardware would be taken to the job site. Finish carpenters (cabinet and trim ) often had very elaborate boxes showing off their skills 

[1912Staver]

Hi Seldenguy, your idea of 2 battery sets makes a lot of sense.  Especially as I realize the photo's seems to show 2 low tension connections and a single high tension lead. 

 

Hi 28 Chrysler, Wooden boatbuilders were in essence an extension of the carpentry trade. Many of the tools are similar, and no doubt quite a few boatbuilders kept their smaller tools in what we consider Carpenters tool chests.

 

Greg in Canada

Edited May 29, 2015 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[roysboystoys]

Thanks for sharing the chest photos. Seems to be in exceptional condition.

[zipdang]

Thanks to all! The chest came out of the barn/workshop where the boats were actually built. Wish I could have had the time to go through the barn more thoroughly! This chest is in exceptional condition and will be used in our historic house somewhere! The coil is available if anyone would like to own it. I have no idea what price to ask, but I'm not in it for the money.

[Terry Bond]

What a great tool chest!  Thanks for sharing.  Carpenters often built their own cabinets and usually it showed off their skills nicely.  Good advertising to show up for a job with a quality tool box.  I found one years ago at a yard sale.  Family was selling out an old house.  The Grandfather had passed away and the kids were clearing everything, including his original tool chest.  He had started as an apprentice mechanic in a Studebaker garage in 1915.  When I got there, there was an antique dealer that had laid a few items out on the ground and was trying to negotiate a purchase on the top items.  I pulled one of the brothers aside and asked how much he wanted for the entire assembly-chest and all, and he said $150. I simply said "sold" and handed him the money.  I'll never forget the look on that dealers face when they started to pack "his" tools back in the chest and told him it had all been sold.  They never wanted to break it up and were pleased that I had let them know my intent was to keep it intact and on display in my own personal "museum" which is a faithful recreation of a circa 1915 auto parts store.  The tool chest has always been a hit and my own granson spent countless hours playing with the contents.  I occasionally find an old tool in it that comes in handy when working on the Model T.   It isn't as pretty as yours but really is a piece of history.

[zipdang]

I love these windows on the past. Great chest and story for yours, too. I'm keeping about everything right in the chest where I found it. My wife even had me bag up all the wood shavings and scraps to keep with it!

[Woodfiddler]

zip - that is a beautiful chest: such skill and precision used to fabricate it. I hope someone speaks up for the coil.

 

Terry - yours is very nice too. A great story about the purchase.

 

"...on display in my own personal "museum" which is a faithful recreation of a circa 1915 auto parts store." - would you post photos in a new thread describing your museum? I too, enjoy peering into windows of days gone by.

 

Thanks to all.

[zipdang]

Thanks Woodfiddler. As I gently clean it and do a little rejuvenating, I'm increasingly amazed at the handiwork. Everything dovetailed (including all the trays), diamond shaped inlays around the perimeter of the top, and newly discovered after a layer of grime was removed is an inlaid brass angle stock edging around the top for edge damage control. Just amazing.

[wheelwright]

Hi Zipdang, Did you sell the Splitdorf ignition coil ? My father and I are trying to get our old 1905 Cadillac going again but have no single cylinder coil for it. Other said Splitdorf was the brand used. Would you still have the one you showed, and would it be for sale ?

[zipdang]

PM sent.

[zipdang]

Hello wheelwright,

 

I thought I'd post again here as maybe you are unfamiliar with what "PM sent" means. If you see this, respond on the forum if you are interested in the coil. I do still have it.

 

Thanks!