Federal Electric Co. Model Z Traffic Master siren (with and without light!) update 7/29/2019!

[tsquale]

After years of searching, finding one in Tennessee that the owner refused to sell to me (despite offering it for sale...), I finally own a Model Z. I know of two versions: this style and one with a light. If anyone has any literature on this please post it.

 

[Maxim2Eng]

The Z must be for Zephyr--very cool grill design and sound! Tell me you were slightly tempted to use 12 volts for one windup.

BTW, I keep trying to smash that gnat on my iPad screen every time I read one of your posts....

 

[tsquale]

I was tempted to try it, but didn't want to have that slight chance of burning that motor.

 

[ERIC6913]

Great Find! I don't know how you find these odd things lol. I hope to find the one with the light

 

[tsquale]

Great Find! I don't know how you find these odd things lol. I hope to find the one with the light

Found you one!

 

[cmb56]

Nice find.
I have the rare early Federal V of this design.

Michael

 

[shues]

The grille reminds me of a locomotive's cowcatcher.

 

[Skulldigger]

Interesting look. Looks like a W or E size siren. I have searched ads, articles, books, everything I can find and have never seen a mention of a Z. Letters I have found are C, E, O, Q, V, W, X, and Y. Like all of Federals numbering or markings there is no sense to what letter they used. Very curious.

Looking at the patent tsquale listed above. It says the patent is for the "ornamental design" and a "combined light siren". I know the "Y" added to a siren ID was for the SoloRay Light. So maybe the Z represents the light or the ornamental grill design. I wonder if there is a ZG. Looking at the date of the patent 1936, this may be the very first siren/light combination.

The Federal XL was 1937 and the Traffik King was much later at 1946.

You may have a truly important piece of Light/Siren history there !

 

[kerry4951]

Super find Tony!!!!

 

[Scoot163]

That is off the coolness scale. Just sayin.

 

[tsquale]

You are correct, similar size as the WL pictured far right.

 

[charlesg3116]

This is what it looks like with the light.

 

[tsquale]

This is what it looks like with the light.

Is that yours? Are you willing to sell?

Thank you for the photo. That is the best I have seen!

 

[charlesg3116]

View attachment 164135

Is that yours? Are you willing to sell?

Thank you for the photo. That is the best I have seen!

Yes, that is my siren. I'm not ready to sell any of my lights or sirens yet.

 

[tsquale]

The puzzle continues. Found this flyer from 1937 on eBay and paid a premium for it. I'll eventually get the whole thing scanned in and posted in the catalog thread.

 

[dmathieu]

LOL, another piece of the puzzle!!

 

[Aaron W]

Interesting that it offered red or green lights.

 

[dmathieu]

Must have bought the lenses elsewhere, and only red and green available. Probably nautical. Just guessing.

 

[ERIC6913]

Wow Tony, That's a $100 dollar flyer you got there LOL. I knew you would want that when I saw it

 

[southpaw]

The puzzle continues. Found this flyer from 1937 on eBay and paid a premium for it. I'll eventually get the whole thing scanned in and posted in the catalog thread.

View attachment 203604 View attachment 203605

$42 and $45 dollars!!!!!

 

[tsquale]

Wow Dan, That's a $100 dollar flyer you got there LOL. I knew you would want that when I saw it

I had it so low then someone bid me up! I was happy to pay the price though. Well worth it to have the only piece of literature I could find on the Z

 

[Maxim2Eng]

That catalogue is very cool and worth the price of admission! "A penetrating red or green...light of superior size...thrusts its beam ahead...."

No hyperbole there...sounds a lot like: ""Hurt me, you fool!", she moaned as her silken chemise slipped to the floor in a silent whisper."

 

[tsquale]

Major update folks! I am now the proud owner of a model Z with the light as well! This is the fourth one that I know exists. I found it on the bay, missing the light. I was able to source a light that was visibly similar to the one used in the brochure I posted. I was not able to source the light (Dietz) that I have seen on the others in existence. It is a bit rough compared to the Z without a light that I have.

Cone prior to elbow grease...

 

[southpaw]

Well done my friend!!!

 

[NPS Ranger]

That catalogue is very cool and worth the price of admission! "A penetrating red or green...light of superior size...thrusts its beam ahead...."

We need a video of the pen.... oh, nevermind.

 

[lotsofbars]

I think that the one with a light has a better tone and wind down than the one without, even though it's in poor condition. Regardless, I don't think it's something that a bit of elbow grease wouldn't fix. Excellent find, it looks almost identical to the one in the brochure.