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Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:05 pm

I just finished restoring these semaphores. They are the second set of this odd type I have come across, the first set the arms and lenses were too trashed and I had to "convert" them to the more common kind. I think they are "late" ribbed sems (like the last kind used) because they incorporate some design improvements found in the more common single bolt SWFs, and have even taken the design another step further which much more robust and simpler lens and bulbholder design. Note no sliding door contact underneath.

What I find odd is that the bodies on both sets I have seen are exactly the same as the '46-'49 "right and left" SWF sems. Notably, the L-number with no SWF or VW logo, and the slot on the back side which I think is used for spring mount on the non-VW "clacker" type sems. You can see an original '46-'49 body in the pics below for comparison.

So why would the arm/lens/bulbholder be of an advanced design, but the body the oldest style? Very odd. I am pretty sure too, that the originals had paper SWF logos on the coil tape (I'll have to dig up some pics of them as I bought them if I can find some). But it might be possible that they were some "one off" kind of manufacture and weren't even made by SWF, although they have the same bodes as the SWF '46-'49s, and the lenses are VW logo'ed.

Anyone seen these kind of sems before?? Have any other knowledge, documentation?

This set has original lenses and arms and are in very good shape. They are going in the classifieds shortly...

Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:25 pm

Is there a date code stamped anywhere? A few years back John Hamill had a '59 T-2 Feuerwagen with the ribbed klackers installed. Could these be the same type?

Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:39 pm

No, they are not clackers and there is no date stamp. SHOs are all date stamped on the upper tab, but not SWFs. And all of the clackers I have seen (some ribbed) have the yellower SWF logo'ed lenses.

Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:16 pm

johnshenry wrote: No, they are not clackers and there is no date stamp. SHOs are all date stamped on the upper tab, but not SWFs...
SWFs have a micro-sized, two-letter date stamp on the side of the semaphore body. First letter is the month (I is omitted), second letter is the year (A=1949); so it's possible pre-'49 SWF sems are undated.

Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:23 am

Actually there is a date code on the pivot, not the body. I looked at all of the ones I had. I did find what looks like a "IE" so perhaps "I" is used?

The ones I posted the pics of look like they do have letter stamped in that area, but the pitting in the metal makes it hard to read.

Also I have one that is stamped "B0". Would that be Feb '65? I would find it very hard to believe that SWF was still making ribbed sems (or parts for them) in the mid 60s. The pivot for the ribbed sem is different than the smooth one.

I'll try to post some pics later.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:42 pm

Well la-de-freakin-da, I just stumbled on my answer. Looking at my Sept 1950 service manual for something else electrical related, I noticed this:

You can see how the bulb holder is riveted to the front of the lens.

So there it is, the "long arm" semaphore. It must have been the first ribbed SWF semaphore after the '46-'49 R&L style. My previous assumption was that it was the last SWF Ribbed design as it seemed like a better, more logical design.

I have a set of these for sale in the classifieds, I will go edit the ad now. :lol: :lol:

Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:32 am

John,
My 52 from Sweden came with those sems, I don't believe they were original to the car. I tried to find lenses when I restored the car but came up blank.Still looking for lenses.....
Mike

Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:40 am

52crotch wrote: John,
My 52 from Sweden came with those sems, I don't believe they were original to the car. I tried to find lenses when I restored the car but came up blank.Still looking for lenses.....
Mike

Interesting. Yes, the lenses, in usable shape are scarcely seen. I got this set out of Europe last year because of the complete lenses. I restored one other set for someone else a few years back, but we ended up making them into the more common style because we could not find lenses. We replaced the arms, bulbholders and lenses with the other style.

I might have some pieces of old lenses if you want to try to cobble something up Mike...

Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:20 pm

johnshenry wrote: 52crotch wrote: John,
My 52 from Sweden came with those sems, I don't believe they were original to the car. I tried to find lenses when I restored the car but came up blank.Still looking for lenses.....
Mike

Interesting. Yes, the lenses, in usable shape are scarcely seen. I got this set out of Europe last year because of the complete lenses. I restored one other set for someone else a few years back, but we ended up making them into the more common style because we could not find lenses. We replaced the arms, bulbholders and lenses with the other style.

I might have some pieces of old lenses if you want to try to cobble something up Mike...

John,
I'm also in need of the same semaphore lens. The mechanical parts and face plate seems to be functional. Please PM me.
Thanks, Ivan

Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:54 am

I checked guys and the pieces I have are pretty busted up. I don't think there is enough between the 3 pieces that I have to even make one good lens if you were brave enough to try to glue one together. Sorry...

Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:26 pm

Thanks for checking John, I'll look in Germany when I go in September
Mike

Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:13 pm

52crotch wrote: Thanks for checking John, I'll look in Germany when I go in September
Mike

You´d better go in oktober.
http://www.veterama.de/?lang=uk&site=ma-information&subsite=besucher
There you can find anything with a bit of luck.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:05 am

Thanks for the info Carsten, I'll see if I can change my dates!
Mike

Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:48 am

Yes, they are out there. :wink:

But you need luck to find them.
If you go to the Veterama market in oktober, make sure to be there at friday morning. The friday became a full sales day. You need a so called
"insider-ticket" to get in at friday. It can be ordered some weeks before.
Here´s a pic of my finds in 2002. My buddy Harald called it "the semaphore year". Each time we met I had bought one or two more.

Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:14 am

usariemen wrote: Yes, they are out there. :wink:

But you need luck to find them.
If you go to the Veterama market in oktober, make sure to be there at friday morning. The friday became a full sales day. You need a so called
"insider-ticket" to get in at friday. It can be ordered some weeks before.
Here´s a pic of my finds in 2002. My buddy Harald called it "the semaphore year". Each time we met I had bought one or two more.

NICE! Those are SWF logo'ed lenses and not "from the factory" ones though. (but I'd still buy them!)

Thu Oct 07, 2010 7:46 am

I also got a pair of those sems...anyone found lenses for em?
as my also are broken..

Cheers,

Juha!

Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:20 pm

My 1952 October zwitter vert came originaly with these semaphores, with one copper screw.
NR is AL 143.001.1
Check on page 10.
Lenses have the SWF logo.....
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=14651&p=10

Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:58 pm

passoa55 wrote: My 1952 October zwitter vert came originaly with these semaphores, with one copper screw.
NR is AL 143.001.1
Check on page 10.
Lenses have the SWF logo.....
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=14651&p=10

You've owned it since new? What is the date code on the sems?

Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:44 am

Where is the date code located?
The previous owner told me that one semaphore was replaced but those where the correct ones since new.

Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:22 am

Its on the side of the pivot part, the part that the arm and lens bolt to.

Those don't look like convertible semaphores BTW, at least not split ones. And not having owned the car since new, how do you know the lenses weren't changed at some point? If one was changed with an SWF replacement, I'd imagine the other one would have to match....