Telegraph Sounders
A telegraph sounder is an electro-mechanical device that makes an audible click when its metal bar is released by an electromagnet that has been activated by a telegraph key. Early sounders punched a paper tape that was "read" by the operator. After a short time, operators learned to hear these clicks as Morse Code and the paper tape was eliminated.
Sounders in telegraph offices were always energized so that the metal arm was in the down or "on" position. When the arm was down, the operator knew that the circuit had continuity and that it was working properly. Sounders became obsolete after the electronic oscillator was invented. A "mainline" sounder was designed to connect directly to a telegraph wire without the use of a relay. YouTube Demo of a sounder. You can click on any of these images to enlarge them.
Sounders in telegraph offices were always energized so that the metal arm was in the down or "on" position. When the arm was down, the operator knew that the circuit had continuity and that it was working properly. Sounders became obsolete after the electronic oscillator was invented. A "mainline" sounder was designed to connect directly to a telegraph wire without the use of a relay. YouTube Demo of a sounder. You can click on any of these images to enlarge them.
J.H. Bunnell & Company Vertical Spring Telegraph Sounder:
This is a Bunnell vertical spring telegraph sounder mounted on a stained wood base with two vertical coils. "J.H.. Bunnell & Company New York, USA" is stamped on the sounder arm. It was originally owned by my wife's Uncle Jake who worked on the Springfield Massachusetts railroad line for the US Postal Service. I believe that this sounder is from the 1940s. This could be a Learner's Model 5874 [002]
This is a Bunnell vertical spring telegraph sounder mounted on a stained wood base with two vertical coils. "J.H.. Bunnell & Company New York, USA" is stamped on the sounder arm. It was originally owned by my wife's Uncle Jake who worked on the Springfield Massachusetts railroad line for the US Postal Service. I believe that this sounder is from the 1940s. This could be a Learner's Model 5874 [002]
J. H. Bunnell & Co. Western Union Model 8-A
Steel Main Line Sounder with Silencer:
A Western Union Model 8-A steel sounder on a black wooden base circa 1920. This is an unusual sounder since there is a silencer mechanism just visible on the left. This silencer lets the operator adjust the bar so that the magnet coils pulls the bar down all the way when the circuit is activated..
The lever is stamped "J.H. Bunnell & Co. New York U. S. A." "Repaired by J. H. Bunnell & Co. 3 -27" is pressed into the wood on the bottom of the base. This sounder spent most of its life in Tempe, Arizona. I purchased it from the daughter of the original owner who was a supervisor and lineman for Western Union.[114]
Steel Main Line Sounder with Silencer:
A Western Union Model 8-A steel sounder on a black wooden base circa 1920. This is an unusual sounder since there is a silencer mechanism just visible on the left. This silencer lets the operator adjust the bar so that the magnet coils pulls the bar down all the way when the circuit is activated..
The lever is stamped "J.H. Bunnell & Co. New York U. S. A." "Repaired by J. H. Bunnell & Co. 3 -27" is pressed into the wood on the bottom of the base. This sounder spent most of its life in Tempe, Arizona. I purchased it from the daughter of the original owner who was a supervisor and lineman for Western Union.[114]