My NIB Federal Sign and Signal Model 14 Beacon Holy grail!

[ERIC6913]

Hello Fellow Followers!

This time I have something really special to share with you! I have finally found my holy grail of model 14 beacons! I have never seen it in real life, not even pictures. I have only ever seen it in catalogs. I think it was only produced in small numbers for a specific purpose or agency. This is a model 14 MT, which stands for 14 beacon with "M"agnetic mount and "T"ilted beam. I found it new in the box!! The are a few other things that make this particular beacon unique though. It features a 1/4" Phono jack as a power source connection, which means this light might have been intended as an undercover mount beacon. I have never seen pictures to prove this thoery though. This example must be an early model 14 as well for a couple reasons. The model 14 was introduced in 1963. This beacon has a dome that has no "F2" marking on the top, usually denoting a model 14 series dome. It also has a "Patent Applied For" stamp on the inside of the base. I found a tag inside the box from the purchasing agency, dated January 1966. This beacon also has a screen type printed emblem. Most model 14 emblems of this style had the later stamped emblems.

I am not sure why Federal discontinued this model, other than they already had the model 175 as a "tilted-beam" warning beacon. You would think at the time this would be a newer and more modern style beacon compared to the 17 series. This model 14 must have also been intended for an urban setting due to the tilted-beam set-up.

I didn't want to go all out on this one as far as polishing, so I only polished the base ring to give it some bling thus keeping it semi original. Let me know what your thoughts are on this one!

















Thanks for looking and stay tuned.................

 

[801]

Wow, very cool.

 

[dmathieu]

You did get it!

Is the speed of rotation the standard, or is it a faster motor to give the typical 80 FPM with the horizontal bulb?

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

That's an interesting find Eric...  good job.

 

[tsquale]

Never knew that existed! Very cool find!

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Wait a minute Eric how many Holy Grails can you Hord! Save some for us little guys! Lol

 

[chucksorce]

Wow would you trust those magnets??

 

[plybeep68]

That's Sweeet!!!

 

[liftedgmc]

I saw this on fleabay years ago, never saw the ending price or where it went. The same exact light. Beautiful find!

 

[stansdds]

The 14T is the rarest of the 14's.  Until now, I've only seen the diagram in the Federal Service Parts Index.  And to see a 14MT, that is unique, especially with only two magnets and a jack for electrical hook up.  That is exceedingly rare.

 

[Mars Light]

That´s very unique setup. I did not know until just till this thread that there is such a 14 version.

 

[toon80]

Very nice light, Eric

I wonder, since the two lamp holders are not snuggly tight back-to-back, what fitting/mechanism is there to keep them tightly on the rotating shaft?

 

[ERIC6913]

It is standard speed, Dan. Yes this model 14 is exceedingly rare and also came with an exceedingly high price! The horizontal lamp holder is bolted to the shaft and the angled lamp holder is bolted to the horizontal lamp holder.

 

[Crownfire]

I'm glad this unique and rare piece is with someone who appreciates its inherent value and will keep it safe.

 

[CPSS]

Back in the 70's the New York State Police used the mod14 with the phono jacks on their unmarked cars. Not sure about the tilted version....

The cars all had the male phono plug sticking up from their roof.  I think it actually helped keep the light in place at high speeds with those small magnets.

 

[ERIC6913]

That's what I was thinking too! Now we need to find a picture

 

[CrownVic97]

Well that's different! I suspect these were aimed at airport vehicles. That's my guess.

 

[JohnMarcson]

That's what I was thinking too! Now we need to find a picture

I was told these were used on New York State police Thruway Unit Supervisors in the late 60's or early 70's.  The plug/jack was the retention point at one end, the magnet the other.  The marked versions had a 4 sealed beam hill light perm mounted.

 

[CPSS]

 

[dmathieu]

Nothing comes up.

 

[Windycity411]

Cool beacon, great find!