Smith & Wesson Model 436H Beacon

[Skulldigger]

Picking this up tomorrow from a friend. It's a 4 bulb beacon. Other than the tag being faded it's in great shape. Any information on it is appreciated. It has a W3 of 1978. I have seen other S&W that looked like a Dietz 211, but this looks like a large 4 bulb Model 14.

 

[LRGJr72]

Actual S&W beacons (not rebadges) are seriously rare. It look like the one you have is a match for the blue beacon on this catalog page.

 

[stansdds]

Are these really S&W beacons? I don't think so since the internal components appear to be Yankee 350 (2-bulb) and 354 (4-bulb) products of the 1970's. The base, dome band, and dome are a style unique to the EEC (Emergency Equipment Corporation) and S&W versions while Yankee's version of the dome featured a pop-up area over bulb carriage. Regardless, they are rarely seen today, especially with a correct dome.

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Interesting.. this is another example of the sharing of parts between multiple manufacturers. Eventually down the road they all become the same company anyway. The dome on that beacon does not taper near the top like the catalogue does.

 

[Skulldigger]

I picked it up today and it is certainly an interesting beacon. I was happy to see the dome is marked S&W, SAE-W3-78. The motor is dated June 2, 1980. I was thinking the bulb cage looks Signal Stat. the motor housing looks like most others, Deitz, Signal Stat as well as Yankee. Looking forward to opinions and insight.

 

[stansdds]

My opinion is that you got something rarely seen and in remarkably good condition.
The 45 degree beveled edges on the lamp holders are a Yankee thing, Signal Stat's were rounded.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

No insight but share stansdds' opinion: rare and in superb state.

Always fun to find a needle in a haystack!

 

[Maxim2Eng]

I love the butterfly nut on top of the bulb cage. Simple and nice touch to make it easier to change bulbs (a lot easier than Dietz).

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

I love the butterfly nut on top of the bulb cage. Simple and nice touch to make it easier to change bulbs (a lot easier than Dietz).

Or Yankee.. I call them bulb launchers.

 

[Skulldigger]

Recreated a badge for it. Not to shabby.