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  1. #1
    Robert Wittenberg's Avatar
    Robert Wittenberg Guest

    Default What are these??

    Hello All,

    This is my first post on this board. I have been reading and learning from all of your posts and appreciate the sharing of information and experiences.

    I have been running my own company for about a year and a half, doing a good business, paying the bills, etc.

    I have a question about some devices recently found in a 1910 home. These ceiling mounted devices were all over the house (in both finished and unfinished spaces). They have twisted wires running to them. Are these older/different smoke detection devices?

    Anybody seen these before?

    Thanks.

    Robert

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Wittenberg View Post

    I have a question about some devices recently found in a 1910 home.

    Are these older/different smoke detection devices?

    Anybody seen these before?

    Robert

    Robert,

    I have not seen these but that time frame would suggest a servants bell or bells to alert
    the house hold of an in coming phone call.

    House hold smoke detectors uses radioactive material and entered the market in 1969.

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: What are these??

    I may be able to help, but the pitcure does not have enough detail for me.
    Do you have any other pictures?
    Does it have 1 or 2 pair of wires?
    Do you know where the wires went to?

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Billy could be right. That is a good shape to have a clapper in there which moves back and forth to ring the bell (the brass outside part) - see that other set of wires running down that stud? For the push button which operates them?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  5. #5
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    Default Re: What are these??

    I enlarged the photo as much as I could. The dome looks to me to be translucent with an open slit down the side. With the enlargement it (the thing running down the stud) does not look like a wire.
    My guess, at this time is some form of motion detector, but that is only a guess, I need better photos.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    I need better photos.
    Agreed. That would help.

    I enlarged them too and still think its brass in two halves and that is a wire going down the stud. (That's my story and I'm a stickin' to it.)

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Robert,

    If you would complete you User CP we would know what part of the country you are in.


    Edwin Holmes installed the first electric burglar alarm in Boston 1858.

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Sorry Jerry
    I might regret this (disagreeing with you), but that is not a wire it's a cobweb, and I can see through the dome, to what's inside.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    Sorry Jerry
    I might regret this (disagreeing with you), but that is not a wire it's a cobweb, and I can see through the dome, to what's inside.
    Rick,

    Cobwebs Yes they are. See thru NO Way! Look at the indent in the middle strip that holds
    the two pieces together.

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    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  10. #10
    Robert Wittenberg's Avatar
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Thanks for all the responses. I updated my profile to indicate I work in the Seattle Area.

    I did not want to upload a large file image, but it is a cob web to the lower right of the unit. It is closed together with no visible open space between the two pieces.

    The units do not appear to be original to the house and they are located throughout the home, even in the unconditioned crawl space/basement. I could not track the two sets of wires through the walls. I think motion detectors or servant bells are unlikely. The heat detector concept looks to be really likely.

    Thanks for all your help.

    Robert


  11. #11
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Fritz
    Good job finding that information.
    What are you, some sort of Internet sleuth?


    What I thought I could see through a translucent dome was more likely a reflection off of the brass dome.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  12. #12
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    Default Re: What are these??

    OK. Now that we've got that nailed, what's this? From today's 1950s ranch, above the kitchen counter, about 12"Wx10"H, appears to be a solid sheet-steel stamping - I though that might be a door in in center, but if so it's tightly painted shut.

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  13. #13
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Quote Originally Posted by Fritz Kelly View Post
    Its a letter slot for junk mail.
    Fritz,

    It's a Custom Back Splash made from a 1952 access door from a Frigidaire 14 cubic ft. refrigerator.

    I opened the patent link and got the side bar but no pictures.

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  14. #14
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Quote Originally Posted by Fritz Kelly View Post
    Billy, I wonder if you don't have 'active X' installed (whatever the hell that is).
    Attachment 3666
    You inspired me to search.

    ActiveX - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    badair http://www.adairinspection.com Garland, TX 75042
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    life is the random lottery of events followed by numerous narrow escapes...accept the good

  15. #15
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    Default Re: What are these??

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    I enlarged them too and still think its brass in two halves and that is a wire going down the stud. (That's my story and I'm a stickin' to it.)
    Okay ... so I was only half right ...

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  16. #16
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    Default Re: What are these??

    This One's for you Fritz,

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    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

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