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Vintage ANTIQUE Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph StationGenuine Original Complete with Brass Interior Parts and Components
- KEY, INNER DOOR, INSIDE PARTS REPONDS TO PULL ON THE HOOK
- I am told this model may not be RARE but considering the condition and inner workings – this is a GREAT FIND
- I am also told this was likely manufactured between the late 1890’s to 1910
- I am told these alarms are were connected to very low voltage (about 3 volts at only 100 milli-amps)
ON THE FRONT & OUTSIDE:
- Round / Rounded Top or Roof
- Emblem has Tilted Hand / Arm / Fist - Holding Lightning Bolts
FIRE ALARMTELEGRAPH STATION THE GAMEWELLFIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH CO NEW YORK
- Decorative Columns on each side with emblems at the bottom
- There is a formed part of the housing (top and bottom) with ¾” female connection for mounting pipes or posts
- Brass Key is in place in Trap Lock – (a special key would be inserted inside to un-trap or remove the outer key)
- Key has no number on it – is slightly bent (but could be straightened)
ON THE INNER DOOR:PULL HOOK DOWN ONCE AND LET GO
INSIDE:
- I believe this is called a Spring Sector mechanism
- Brass mechanical movement with cogs and gear wheels
- Glass face plate over mechanism
- ON BRASS PART UNDER THE GLASS: The Gamewell F.A.TEL.CO.N.Y.
- Interior Tapper Bell is there and it looks like it has been bent upward from its original position
SIZE / MEASUREMENTS:
- VERY HEAVY - Cast Iron – just over 36 pounds
- Measures approximately 14" (top to bottom) x 9 3/8" wide (at top roof edge) x 5" deep (at rooftop)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This came from an estate collection. Until recently, I did not know anything about these antique fire alarms. I have found little specific information about the Excelsior model, however have received input from several sources.
Thank you to all who gave input.
Following are comments I received from a gentleman in San Francisco, who seems to be very knowledgeable:"What you have is a highly desired fire alarm street box manufactured by Gamewell when the company existed in New York City. This unit is more than 100-years old... And its in original condition (not restored).. At some point this box had the key guard accessory which at some point was removed."
"Items manufactured by Gamewell from the New York days of the company adds greater $$$$ value... Gamewell moved from New York City more than 100-years ago to Newton, MA... Today Gamewell still exists in Newton, MA."
"So you should know that your fire alarm box goes up significantly in value by the fact it was manufactured in New York City... While (your price) is big money this excludes all of the hobbyist type collectors and only the most serious collectors would submit a offer... I'm a collector who supports museum and perpetual care collections.. My desire is to preserve the history of fire alarm telegraph systems... I was born and raised in San Francisco... The city still maintains and uses street fire alarm boxes...Not much has changed in the technology of the fire alarm telegraph... My step-father was the Superintendent of The Department of Electricity here in SF, they maintain all of the Police Callbox Telephone and Street Fire Alarm Boxes."
"You have a mighty fine and beautiful piece of history... Don't sell yourself short on your listing!"
HISTORICAL INFORMATION / ONLINE Carolina State Firefighters’ - Fire Fighters Association of Bill Frye Pittsburgh
EXERPTS FROM WIKIPEDIA: A fire alarm box, fire alarm call box, or fire alarm pull box is a device used for notifying a fire department of a fire. Typically installed on street corners, they were the main means of summoning firefighters before the general availability of telephones. OPERATION: When the box is activated by turning a knob or pulling a hook, a spring-loaded wheel turns, tapping out a pulsed electrical signal corresponding to the box's number. A receiver at fire headquarters announces the alarm through flashing lights or tones, or via a pen recorder, and the box number is matched to a list of box locations. HISTORY: The first telegraph fire alarm system was developed by William Francis Channing and Moses G. Farmer in Boston, Massachusetts in 1852. Two years later they applied for a patent for their "Electromagnetic Fire Alarm Telegraph for Cities". In 1855, John Gamewell of South Carolina purchased regional rights to market the fire alarm telegraph, later obtaining the patents and full rights to the system in 1859. John F. Kennard bought the patents from the government after they were seized after the Civil War, returned them to Gamewell, and formed a partnership, Kennard and Co., in 1867 to manufacture the alarm systems. The Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Co. was later formed in 1879. Gamewell systems were installed in 250 cities by 1886 and 500 cities in 1890. By 1910, Gamewell had gained a 95% market other search words: game well game-well rounded call box callbox call-box ticker tape ticker-tape 1800s 1800’s 1890s 1890 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 F. A. F.A.TEL.CO. NY N.Y. movement handle face cover bezel lb lb. lbs lb. Hard to Find
