lotsofbars
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Here’s something really special, guys. This is a verified NYPD Federal Sign and Signal P-660, complete with no pulsator flap and dents from many nightstick beatings back in the 60’s and 70’s. Now, for those who aren’t in the know about this specific siren, it may appear that this is just an old chrome siren that’s beaten to absolute hell. Well, it is, but the story of how it got that way is unique to NYPD history.
When these sirens were in service with the NYPD in the 60’s and 70’s, they had a flap in the nose cone that opened and shut, restricting the amount of air being sucked in through the front and pushed through the sides, thus creating a “pulsating” siren effect and giving the siren its name. These flaps, however, weren’t very well constructed, and would consistently get stuck on the closed position, severely cutting down the siren’s volume. Also, because NYC has a temperate climate, snow and other weather-related schmutz would accumulate and get stuck inside the front pulsator cone as well. Because of these two major disadvantages, police officers would often beat the sirens with their nightsticks to unstick the pulsator flap and dislodge any debris that may have gotten stuck in the cone. If you look closely, you can see that the driver’s side of the siren has considerably more damage than the passenger side.
Also, this siren features both the P-660 tag on the main siren housing, and the unique Pulsator tag on the front cone, which is uncommon, because the front Pulsator tag usually fell off because it is not riveted or screwed into the housing like the rear housing tag is. Here, have some pictures!
When these sirens were in service with the NYPD in the 60’s and 70’s, they had a flap in the nose cone that opened and shut, restricting the amount of air being sucked in through the front and pushed through the sides, thus creating a “pulsating” siren effect and giving the siren its name. These flaps, however, weren’t very well constructed, and would consistently get stuck on the closed position, severely cutting down the siren’s volume. Also, because NYC has a temperate climate, snow and other weather-related schmutz would accumulate and get stuck inside the front pulsator cone as well. Because of these two major disadvantages, police officers would often beat the sirens with their nightsticks to unstick the pulsator flap and dislodge any debris that may have gotten stuck in the cone. If you look closely, you can see that the driver’s side of the siren has considerably more damage than the passenger side.
Also, this siren features both the P-660 tag on the main siren housing, and the unique Pulsator tag on the front cone, which is uncommon, because the front Pulsator tag usually fell off because it is not riveted or screwed into the housing like the rear housing tag is. Here, have some pictures!
