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Hertz horn / electrical switch.

M

Michel

Well-Known Member
Hello All,

Some time ago I was given these items. Does anyone know wat they are. They look like some sort off hertz horn but then a eletrical type? The bakelite parts came along with the horn and they look like connector parts. The big bakelite cap goes over the horn mount when the horn (totally solid in a copper threaded part) is taken off.

Greets Michel

P2120002.jpgP2120003.jpgP2120004.jpg
 
Is that a hex nut at the base where the horn protrudes from the body? And is the thread in the body roughly 2 1/2 inches?
 
That is all correct hex nut base and thread is 21/2 inches. I'am very interested if you have a solution for this question. The round cap fits the hex nut base from the horn when it is not in place.
 
Well, I have to admit I've not come across this particular horn before, though I will try and get a 100% pos ID for you when I can.

I will however give you my best idea now,
I would say that it is most likely british, the hex nut is a big clue (german mines have 8 sided nuts)
it is not a hertz horn that's for certain, but it is diffrent to the classic british switch horn but has a similar electrical conection.

Now the british mk14 bouyant mine (pre ww2) was fited with hertz horns which screwed into a fitting with a thread diameter of approx 2 1/2 inches. The mk17 bouyant mine which is effectively a modernisation of the mk14 was almost identical except it had the classic british switch horns which screwed into a fitting with aprox 1 1/2inch diameter.

going on this I would think that it is posible that you have an early switch horn designed to replace the hertz horns on mk14 casings before the fittings were changed to the smaller type on the mk17 casing.

Or

it could be from a diffrent mine casing that was used around the time of the mk14 but was functioned with an early switch horn rather than the hertz horn

I havnt looked at any paperwork yet so these are just posibilities but if they turn out to have some truth to them I would say your horn is pretty rare.

where did you get them?
 
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I think it is a switch horn (Stokappe) of a german UMA / UMB / FMC mine.
 
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I think Alpini is thinking in the right direction, but I have taken a couple of pictures of the stamps on the bakelite inner part of the switch horn (yes it comes apart I did not know this). Also a nut on one of the other parts reminds me of German origin ( the M stamp ).
I would like to hear you opinion about the stamps.
Special thanks to bomb frog for his trouble trying to resolve this long standing question and giving this tread a push.
bocn1.JPG

bocn.JPG
 
Alpini said:
the small round stamp on the right side is definitely German. It is a standardized Bakelite manufacturer stamp. There is a website for identification (I lost the link)

//Edit: I found the link:

http://www.lerenfort.fsnet.co.uk/page12N.htm
Click to expand...

Alpini, thankyou for the above link, this is very interesting!!!

Michel, is it possible to take a close-up shot of the markings on the bakerlite piece - its not showing too clear in the photograph you posted.

regards Kev
 
Indeed very interesting Alpini, I will make an effort to take good (not iPad ) picture tomorrow.
 
There is a similar item listed on ebay at present - does anybody know what the parts are and which mine they come from?

regards Kev

$_12 (6).JPG$_12 (7).JPG$_57 (11).JPG$_57 (12).JPG
 
Hello
This is a nice item indeed
It's part of a switch horn from the bottom half of a German sea mine
First used in the 1920's GZ type mine, also the later sinker {mine chair] version of the GZ & also the GR type German sea mine [UMA/UMB]
It is treaded into the switch horn by the mine man onboard ship, only when ready to lay,
Threaded top suction made of lead so as to move easier to make the required contact with the switch [still inside it] when struck by a vassal
There were 3 on the bottom hemisphere interestingly yours has got the transit cover on it so this was never used in the water.
The other is a blank from many German buoyant mines.
Other several small pieces i have no info as yet?
But now don't need to look too far if indeed they were all from the same type of mines??

It's a nice piece and I would be interested in a swap if you ever wish to consider such a thing?
Anyway happy hurting for the future
YOURS AYE switch horn gr (2).jpgpossible horn boss cover.pngearly GZ.jpg
 
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