FDNY Fire Alarm pedestal

My restored 1929 FDNY fire alarm pedestal. Originally from the South Bronx it had been painted black on the lower half and was caked with old paint to the extent the design detailing was obliterated. The paint was in poor shape and peeling so the decision was made to remove it. The paint was stripped by hand to bare metal, no sandblasting, primed and repainted the way they were originally.

The 1970s era electronic doorplate and guts were removed and the unit was restored to original condition with a replacement windup mechanism and original door with it's local windup bell.

Standing a little over 7 feet tall it weighs 900# and is made from cast-iron.
Known as the VF (Valentine Fendrich) post they were installed during the tenure of chief Valentine Fendrich who revamped, improved and expanded the whole FD telegraph system.
Considered the most attractive, eye pleasing, beautifully designed fire alarm ever made with their classic and Victorian era inspired lines and torch top finial, these exist only in NYC as they were custom made for the city by an unknown maker.

Once found all over the city, their numbers dwindle due to vehicle damage, replacement and vandalism. The majority of the remaining units had their doors and windup mechanisms removed and replaced in the 1970s forward by electronic intercom faceplace assemblies, it is rare now to find any having the original doors and mechanisms.