Help ID this "Rands Windshield Hinge"

[Tbird]

I have a Rands brass windshield with a larger section at the bottom and smaller section at the top. I believe it to be original but not sure. It has a "Rands" tag but I know those have been reproduced, It came with plate glass I have already removed it which is what threw me off as to if this wasn't a repo windshield. The hinges are "Rands" type but there was only this marking on the hinge "TAP LDFOR" I ran that marking through the forum and Google but couldn't find any info. I did find on Ebay a set of hinges that have that same marking. https://www.ebay.com/itm/223794142395?_ ... %7Ciid%3A1

Here's the pictures of mine. Any help would be much appreciated

[Chris Haynes]

That "TAP LDFOR" stamp is Patent Applied For.

[Erik Johnson]

Your windshield is original.

You are missing a channel and cap along the hinge line. Both the upper and lower panes should have a channel and cap. Only one of your panes has the channel and cap in the photo.

There is a reproduction "Rands type" windshield available from Speedway Motors but the windshield is not the same as originals in various details. They are sold as a 50/50 split although you can cut down the frames if desired. Rands type hinges are available from vendors such as Langs.

[Tbird]

Eric,
I do have the other channel and cap. I took it apart to start buffing the frame. So are the hinges Rands with that marking or should they say Rands on them?

[BigAl]

To my knowledge all original Rands hinges are stamped on the outside hinge “Rands Mfg Co” “Detroit, Mich” these surround the two round stop points/buttons. Since I am technologically deficient I can’t load a picture. But if you email me (astein.pls@gmail.com) I can send you a picture. Also, if you or anyone needs a nice original pair of Rands hinges I have an extra set that I would sell.

[Erik Johnson]

Below is an original hinge for a Rands windshield that I posted on the classifieds last year for my father.

Note that there is lettering around both detents as indicated by the arrows. Sorry that I don't have a better photo.

I believe that the steel castle nut and steel hex bolts were originally brass-plated.

Rands windshield hinges tend to stress crack over time due to vibration so it's hard to find a good set even on an 100% complete windshield. Maybe you have a mix and match set of hinges that is a combination of original and repro parts?

[Erik Johnson]

Also - maybe I posted too soon regarding whether or not your windshield is original.

To the best of my knowledge, the Speedway reproduction only comes in a 50/50 split but you can cut down the sections if you like. I can't remember what the width of the repros are or if the radiuses of the frame are correct.

The straight "cap" that goes across each pane is two pieces in an original windshield. There's a brass channel that is the same as what is inside the windshield frames and that channel sits in a second, square corner "U" channel. The ends of this U channel are flat and round and are screwed into the slugs in the winsshield frame

The Speedway repros do not have the proper cap setup for each windshield half. Instead, they have a single brass channel for each half which is held in place by small end caps, similar to a 1915-22 windshield.

[Allan]

If you look closely at the last photo you will see that the nuts do not sit in a recess. The reproduction hinges I have seen have that flat bottomed recess created by plunging an end mill into the brass. This makes a perfect stress riser at the sharp edge so created, and I have had two such hinges crack from this point.

Allan from down under.