MTFCA Forum

Is there more than one maker of horns for 1917, or they all the same. I'm trying to obtain a correct one, and want to be sure I get it right.

Larry, I'm watching this post with interest. I have the one with the small cylindrical bump at the back, rather than the one with the beveled bump, on my 1917 shooting brake.

Allan from down under.

Summary: Yes, multiple manufactures supplied the horns 1915-1927.

Additional details:

Ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/F-H.htm#horn the early bulb horn cars had multiple suppliers and the 1915s are listed as having 3 suppliers. It does NOT address suppliers for 1916-1927. The 1928-1931 Model A Fords had multiple suppliers ref: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49464.

The Model T Ford Club International Judging Guidelines 7th edition does not address the horn manufactures for 1917 or similar years. From the photos of the Rip Van Winkle Ford, we know it apparently came with the "cone shaped" rear cover (ref Page 272 of Bruce McCalley's book).

On page 279 Bruce has under the photo of a "cone shaped" rear cover magneto horn: "The magneto horn, typical 1915 to 1922, which mounted on the firewall. Not all such horns were alike, differing between suppliers."

On page 322 he shows a photo of the "top hat" style (rear cover) with the remark: " Magneto-powered horn, typical 1915 to 1927" and across from the photo he stated: "HORNS: The magneto-powered horn was supplied on some production beginning in early 1915, and on all cars from later 1915 until about mid-1922. Beginning in 1922, the electric (battery) horn was installed on those cars with electric equipment, while the magneto horn continued on the non-starter cars. (The date of introduction of the battery horn is not known; 1922 is an educated guess."

And from Bruce's 2 disc CD version of his encyclopedia (available from: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/822076/844722.html and is highly recommended). John Regan supplied the following information that is included in the CD version that has additional information the printed book does not contain:

"It seems for sure that outside companies were
making the horns. Here is what is posted in the record of
changes for the horn assembly (FN 6432) drawing. The
very first entry in that record of changes is dated
11/29/15 and states: “This drawing was made from a
sample of the horns as they are being furnished by the KW
Ignition Co., and is to be adopted permanently. All
horn companies who are furnishing horns at the present
time are to be allowed to continue with their own design
of horn. Should orders, however, be placed with any new
companies, unless special permission is given by Mr.
Galamb to do otherwise, they shall be required to make
horns as per our K-W blue print.”

Based on the above for sure the cone shaped magneto horn was used in 1917 (ref the Rip Van Winkle Ford). But either style would be acceptable for the MTFCI Stynoski Judging -- unless an update occurs to the MTFCI judging guidelines. (Note they have a page with the updates at: https://www.modelt.org/judging-guidelines-updates.html (thank you Mark Strange for posting that previously). When I just checked I did not see any updates concerning the magneto horns.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

Allan,

If your shooting brake is a USA produced chassis/car the above would be accurate. If it is based on a Canadian produced chassis -- I do not recall reading that detail about the cars. Often, but not always, Ford of Canada used similar parts as the USA. Other times they had a different part (for example the horn button on top of the steering wheel which was introduced in 1920 in Canada and was never part of the USA production. )

You may want to start a new thread asking about the magneto horns used on the 1916-1927 Fords manufactured in Canada. Or someone may add the answer to this thread. The MTFCI Judging guidelines for the Canadian supplement do not address the shape of the magneto horn rear cover. So from that stand point either would be acceptable. But I suspect most of us do not know the answer to what Ford of Canada did or did not use. I would recommend contacting the Frontenac Motor Company at http://modelt.ca/ and see if they have any information. And if you find out something -- please let us know. Note previous 1916-1922 Canadian Fords that won a Stynoski trophy might help with this -- but I don't have time to look for those at the moment.

(What is a Stynoski Trophy? Please see: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/82 ... 1532572570 and http://jupiter.plymouth.edu/~trentb/Stynoski.html )

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

Thanks Hap, my shooting brake is an assembly of what I believe are 1917 parts, except for demountable wheels and a starter type hogshead, [for when I get too old to crank] The horn is a top hat type. I don't remember seeing a cone shaped variant in Australia, so that may or may not indicate that Canadian horns were supplied by a manufacturer whose product was the top hat type.

Allan from down under.

Thanks Allan. I think I'll start another thread later today asking for inputs on what style magneto horns came on Canadian Ts. The fossil evidence can sometimes be helpful but unfortunately we seldom have a "Rip Van Winkle" quality fossil to examine. What is a "Rip Van Winkle" Ford? Please see the posting at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/50 ... 1430404290 that discusses a 1917 T touring that had just 26 miles showing on the speedometer when it was photographed for an article that appeared in the 1978 "The Vintage Ford." )

That you live in Australia and that you have seen T's with the "top hat" style rear cover but not the "cone shaped" rear cover would indicate that cars exported to Australia were equipped with at least the "top hat" design. Of course it doesn't preclude the possibility that at some point in time some Canadian cars were exported to Australia with the other style.

And we still have the issue of a USA car being imported to Australia back in the day or recently that could have come with either style.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off