Hi, last week I got my first mechanical Siren it is an early Sireno J18 6 volt. I have determined it is complete. It is not missing a front cover/nameplate or screen. That is how these were made. It was originally all black most of the paint is gone. The model tag is all brass was screwed into the back of the aluminum front area with brass flat head screws. The model tag says SIRENO model J18 volts 6, serial 74211, New York City. On the back behind where the motor is enclosed the numbers 1 or 4 38 space 2 are embossed into the metal. Some information I have gathered so far is its a more rare Sireno for two reasons, the large holes on the stator one of the only sireno's made with the holes that large and second no front cover/nameplate. Just that embossed style front. I was told it is worth between 150 and 250, that it is indeed an early J18. Doing research what I have found for the J18'S so far is they made my 6 volt model. A 12 volt model with the exact same front was also made but with some subtle difference, more than likely later but not 100% sure and then a later 12 volt model J18 was made which did have a front cover/nameplate and screen. Some information I was guided on but has not been verified for sure is that a patent was taken out by Sireno in 1934 for that design with the large hole's on the stator. Most cars started using standard 12 volt batteries in 1955 before that they used 6 volt batteries. With that information I have come to the guided conclusion mine was made between 1934 and 1954 (however I do not know that for sure it is just an educated guess with the information I was given. I am trying to verify this information, or if it is incorrect what year is my sireno or around what year if the specific year cant be determined)? and then they made the 12 volt J18 which is nearly the same but has the more modern looking mounting bracket. Then later during the 12 volt era they made a J18 with a front/screen nameplate cover. The way this siren is designed it was made to be very loud most likely one of there loudest sirens made. I hooked it up to a small 12 volt lawn and garden tractor battery and this thing gets so loud it is off the charts. It sounds just like an air raid alarm and by my estimate you can easily hear this siren within out-least a 2 mile radius no problem. It really whale's.
My biggest question is still not knowing for sure what year or time period this was made does anyone out there have a definitive answer for when this siren was made if not the exact year the years these 6 volt J18'S were produced.
Second I would like to know what type of emergency vehicle it most likely came off of. (We know this siren was built to be as loud as possible).
Around here in New Jersey in my area and most of the state Fire trucks were red even in the early days. The police force used mainly motorcycle's in the early 1900's and then switched to all black cars mainly fords when cars became standard. Is it likely this siren was on an early black police car?
Lastly knowing it has the rare front design with no actual cover/nameplate until the later 12 volt one's were bade in most likely the late 50's and 60's and seeing as though how large the holes on the stator are for this and this being the only siren with holes this large on a Sireno other then the loud Sireno K8 which was made much later on and rivaled the federal Q. Was this Sireno's loudest siren until the K8 or ever and what was it's primary purpose vehicle or where it was used?
Again the most important thing I am trying to find out is what year this siren was made, all other information will be helpful but knowing it's age is currently the most important thing to me. Thank you. I will attach photo's of my 6 volt J18. Pictures of the restored 12 volt J18 I found on the internet along with the later 12 volt J18 with cover which was also restored and on the same site as my style 12 VOLT J18. Thanks for any information about my Siren. I will make a you tube video of my siren in action as soon as I can take it someplace secluded and let it whale!
First photos are my 6 volt J18, the second set photos are of a restored 12 volt J18 somewhat newer then mine (most likely) for cars with 12 volt batteries as you can see by the mounting bracket which was the normal bracket used once the company had become established later on as you can see there are subtle differences between the two. Lastly 2 photos of the more modern 12 volt J18 with a cover also most likely from the late 50's early 60 for vehicles with 12 volt batteries. The other two sirens were examples to show the different J18's made and the difference compared to mine and age difference.
What year or around what year was mine made (the one pictured first up top with most photo's)? Thank's for looking and any helpful information.
My biggest question is still not knowing for sure what year or time period this was made does anyone out there have a definitive answer for when this siren was made if not the exact year the years these 6 volt J18'S were produced.
Second I would like to know what type of emergency vehicle it most likely came off of. (We know this siren was built to be as loud as possible).
Around here in New Jersey in my area and most of the state Fire trucks were red even in the early days. The police force used mainly motorcycle's in the early 1900's and then switched to all black cars mainly fords when cars became standard. Is it likely this siren was on an early black police car?
Lastly knowing it has the rare front design with no actual cover/nameplate until the later 12 volt one's were bade in most likely the late 50's and 60's and seeing as though how large the holes on the stator are for this and this being the only siren with holes this large on a Sireno other then the loud Sireno K8 which was made much later on and rivaled the federal Q. Was this Sireno's loudest siren until the K8 or ever and what was it's primary purpose vehicle or where it was used?
Again the most important thing I am trying to find out is what year this siren was made, all other information will be helpful but knowing it's age is currently the most important thing to me. Thank you. I will attach photo's of my 6 volt J18. Pictures of the restored 12 volt J18 I found on the internet along with the later 12 volt J18 with cover which was also restored and on the same site as my style 12 VOLT J18. Thanks for any information about my Siren. I will make a you tube video of my siren in action as soon as I can take it someplace secluded and let it whale!
First photos are my 6 volt J18, the second set photos are of a restored 12 volt J18 somewhat newer then mine (most likely) for cars with 12 volt batteries as you can see by the mounting bracket which was the normal bracket used once the company had become established later on as you can see there are subtle differences between the two. Lastly 2 photos of the more modern 12 volt J18 with a cover also most likely from the late 50's early 60 for vehicles with 12 volt batteries. The other two sirens were examples to show the different J18's made and the difference compared to mine and age difference.
What year or around what year was mine made (the one pictured first up top with most photo's)? Thank's for looking and any helpful information.
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