Tips on Buying and Selling Traffic Signals and Determining Fair Values By Willis Lamm Part Two (This feature is a continuation from Part One Determining the ages of vintage traffic signals There are many nuances involved in determining the ages of older traffic signals. Some general rules of thumb are presented here. Additional information can be gleaned from search engines by hunting down sites that describe the histories of various brands of traffic signals. Signals having "porthole" doors are usually - but not always - older. Most early signals came with "porthole" style doors as opposed to more contemporary "full face" doors. Some doors have hinges while others are attached solely by thumb screws or wing-head bolts. Most of the porthole designs were phased out around WW-II although a couple of manufacturers such as W.S. Darley used the same design into the early 1960s.

Interior components - Crouse-Hinds Two Crouse-Hinds models look virtually identical from the outside, but are distinctively different on the inside. The visible part numbers are often the same. The best way to tell the difference between a Type D (pre-1952) and a Type DT (1952-1958) is by opening a door. The reflector mounting frames are different, with the D having cast aluminum arms that the reflector attaches to and the DT having stamped aluminum reflector frames. In addition the Type D used cork lens gaskets while the Type DT used rubber gaskets, although gaskets were sometimes changed out over the years. 4-way and single face signals used the same interior components. Earlier 4-way models often had ID plates affixed to the signal.

Classic Type D reflector with latch tab.

Reflector mounted in stamped aluminum frame.

Interior components - Eaglelux / Eagle Signal Early signals made by the Eagle Signal Company were called Eaglelux. While the body styles of their single face signals evolved over the years, their fixed four-way signals appeared similar on the outside. Age could best be estimated by the internal components. Early Eaglelux signals (1940s vintage and slightly earlier) had reflectors with small brass latches and the lenses were sealed with cork gaskets and held in place by a thin steel flat ring. Mid 1940 Eagleluxes had the same reflectors but used rubber gaskets. In the 1950s, the reflectors were mounted on two thin stainless steel rods. As the 1960s approached Eagle started using cast aluminum reflector frames. Early Eagleluxes also had ID tags mounted on their bottom plates.

Eaglelux reflector - hinge rod on left, latch on right. Later "Improved" Eaglelux reflector held by two rods.

Cork gasket and steel lens retaining ring. Frame used in the 1960s and later model Eagles.

Interior components - GE Early mid-century GE signals used what collectors call "cereal bowl" reflectors, heavy reflectors that attached to the doors of the signal. Later GE "Groove Backs" and GE Canada signals used reflectors similar to Econolite signals. GE Streamline signals (1952 - 1957) were made so that the reflector was an integral part of the assembly.

"Cereal bowl" reflectors.

Later style reflector.

Streamline reflectors attached to signal bodies using rubber gaskets.
Lenses and visors clamped into the doors that snapped over the lens gaskets.

Interior components - Marbelite Marbelite bought out SSC (Signal Service Corp.) in the 1940s. A few very early Marbelites actually were SSC designs with Marbelite ID tags.

SSC version reflector held in by four spring loaded tabs. 1960s era reflector frame.

Early reflector with pigtail wire hinge (lower left). 1970s era spring loaded reflector hinge.

Continue to Other Useful Identifying Characteristics

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