Model A Horn?

[Lisa79]

I have been clearing my barn out and came upon this. 
 

Upon initially looking up what it is, I feel it could be a model A horn. Any ideas age range? Anything to look for? 
 

it does have the ford logo on the top, hoping to clean it up a bit to see if any other information anywhere. Thanks for any input 

[Terry Bond]

Yup.  Could be from any of the Model A's 1928-1931. Look for info stamped on the can where the Ford script is.  There also may be a brand name on the lower front of the flange that holds the bell. 

Terry

[TOM H. S.]

Hi Lisa79, If you are able to remove the rear 'Can' Housing you may be able to find additional manufacturer markings inside. However if the 'Can' Housing doesn't come off with easy don't risk damage to the Horn to retain value in selling it. So it may have KLAXON, etc.  markings on the inside. Usually there would've been a maker's plate riveted to the outside of the Housing. Very Nice looking old Relic just the same. Best Wishes.

[Terry Bond]

For info, Klaxon did not produce horns for Ford factory installation. Only those produced by Sparton had the nameplate attached to the rear cover. Only the one screw on the back holds the cover on so it should not be hard to remove to inspect or test.  Many replacement parts are available from model A parts suppliers. Check Ebay for an idea of how many survivors are still around and what they may be worth should you decide to sell it.  Let us know if there are any other questions. 

Terry 

[JFranklin]

My computer doesn't show the Ford script, I'm disappointed. It's a Model A horn for sure.

[Dave Henderson]

Model A horns were made by 5 manufacturers; Ames, E. A. Laboratories, Stewart Warner, General Industries Manufacturing (GMI), and Sparton.  E. A. Laboratories can be ruled out because none they produced had Ford script on the motor cover.  Another clue is the size of the 6 nuts holding the motor portion to the bell.  If 7/16" it would be Sparton or Stewart Warner, or if 3/8" it would be Ames or GIM.  So the foregoing makes it possible to narrow it down to just one of two makes.  If rust and pitting hasn't eaten away too much of the surface, further examination of the area below the Ford script on the motor cover could reveal the word "Sparton" or a logo in the case of Ames (in a diamond shape border) or a GIM logo .  In any event it is a horn for a pre 1929 Ford, because the Ford script didn't appear later on any horn make.  This is assuming that the horn has all original parts.   

[CHuDWah]

1 hour ago, Dave Henderson said:

...E. A. Laboratories can be ruled out because none they produced had Ford script on the motor cover...

 

Not necessarily.  Not sure exactly when but at some point, the covers were standardized to be interchangeable among brands.  Like you said, assuming that the horn has all original parts but that may not be the case.

 

9 hours ago, Lisa79 said:

I feel it could be a model A horn

 

Assuming it's original (there are some pretty convincing repros), it does appear to be Model A.  The round head screw secures the motor cover - it's pretty much out already so shouldn't be hard to remove.  The other screw adjusts the sound and is not attached to the cover, just sticks through (although it appears to be bent a little).  The end of the motor cover is just above where the wires are sticking out.  Squirting some penetrating oil there and around the screws may help in removing the cover.  Once you get it off, the following illustration along with the info Dave Henderson posted may nail down the brand - some are more valuable than others.  Finally, the bracket(?) on yours isn't correct - it should look like the one at the top of each of these three:

 

 

Edited July 15, 2023 by CHuDWah (see edit history)

[Dave Henderson]

8 hours ago, CHuDWah said:

 

Not necessarily.  Not sure exactly when but at some point, the covers were standardized to be interchangeable among brands.  Like you said, assuming that the horn has all original parts but that may not be the case.

 

 

Assuming it's original (there are some pretty convincing repros), it does appear to be Model A.  The round head screw secures the motor cover - it's pretty much out already so shouldn't be hard to remove.  The other screw adjusts the sound and is not attached to the cover, just sticks through (although it appears to be bent a little).  The end of the motor cover is just above where the wires are sticking out.  Squirting some penetrating oil there and around the screws may help in removing the cover.  Once you get it off, the following illustration along with the info Dave Henderson posted may nail down the brand - some are more valuable than others.  Finally, the bracket(?) on yours isn't correct - it should look like the one at the top of each of these three:

 

 

The motor cover could not be standardized to be interchangeable with all brands and models thereof due to variations in hole placements.

 

[CHuDWah]

9 hours ago, Dave Henderson said:

The motor cover could not be standardized to be interchangeable with all brands and models thereof due to variations in hole placements.

 

This Service Bulletin disagrees:

 

Quote

(present covers are interchangeable)

I said:

 

18 hours ago, CHuDWah said:

Not necessarily.  Not sure exactly when but at some point, the covers were standardized to be interchangeable among brands.  Like you said, assuming that the horn has all original parts but that may not be the case.

Granted, I failed to point out it does not mention, and may not apply to, GMI and SW horns.  Nevertheless, it does mention EA and my post was in reply to yours that "E. A. Laboratories can be ruled out because none they produced had Ford script on the motor cover."  Without knowing the brand and model of the OP horn, we can't know whether its parts are original and therefore can't rule out a brand/model on the basis of those parts.

Edited July 15, 2023 by CHuDWah (see edit history)

[Dave Henderson]

Doesn't the wording seem strange in the July 1928 illustrated Model A Service Bulletin #7 cited, acknowledging only 3 horn makers rather than 5, and saying present covers are interchangeable, then proceeding to contradict itself by illustrating the differences in hole placement in the motor covers among the 3 which rendered them not interchangeable!  Imo, what could have been said for clarity is that horn designs had been standardized with respect to screw and adjuster placement, making it possible for one cover to fit them all, except early Ames and E. A. Labs horns that had non-standard screw and adjuster locations.  

[JFranklin]

Maybe a typo.

[CHuDWah]

3 hours ago, Dave Henderson said:

Doesn't the wording seem strange in the July 1928 illustrated Model A Service Bulletin #7 cited, acknowledging only 3 horn makers rather than 5, and saying present covers are interchangeable, then proceeding to contradict itself by illustrating the differences in hole placement in the motor covers among the 3 which rendered them not interchangeable!  Imo, what could have been said for clarity is that horn designs had been standardized with respect to screw and adjuster placement, making it possible for one cover to fit them all, except early Ames and E. A. Labs horns that had non-standard screw and adjuster locations.  

 

The purpose of the illustrations was to provide a method of identifying the brand of a pre-standardization horn if the cover with the maker's name was missing. But yeah, the wording isn't clear. Was Ford using GMI and SW at the time? July 1928 was still fairly early in Model A production, so it could be GMI and SW were added later if the original three couldn't keep up with increased production. Just speculating - I really don't know.

[Dave Henderson]

According to the MARC-MAFCA judging standards E. A. Labs first version was dated '27 - early '28 and Ames's '27 - Jan. '28.