Posted 8 years ago
chachi69
(1 item)
These babies were manufactured in the late 1940s through the mid 1950s and are valued for their distinctive art deco touches. Traffic lights were a new addition to many American towns and not always welcome (nanny state!) so in addition to making them effective traffic control devices Crouse-Hinds also tried to make them graceful additions to the landscape. As the saying goes, "they don't make 'em like that anymore."
I've only just begun restoring it and I'm hamstrung by my schedule and the fact that I live in a condominium apartment with no outside space, but I'll keep this post updated with my progress and learnings.
It's a great signal set. The stand is well done. Please don't over-restore! There is a story in that patina.
Thanks — the stand was my idea and a 4" ID floor flange was not easy to find.
I'm on the fence about a full restoration for the reason you mentioned. However, it was painted over once already and two of the replacement doors sport different shades of green as well. If I do have it stripped and powder coated I'll use Federal Standard 14187, which is an almost exact match to the original color I see here and there inside the signal.
These model D/DT signals were being made as far back as the 30s, and up into the 50s, as you said. They are just gorgeous. Yours is a gem with that hard to find slip fitter base.
COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!