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Federal model "A"
Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 9:38 pm
by Shikkapow
How much are these worth? I just picked one up on Ebay and although I realize its worth what I paid for it, I did it on a whim and honestly don't know the value. I didnt even realize how big it was, I thought it was about 1/3 the size of what it is.
Also, how can I find out the year of manufacture? It has a Ul sticker on it, so it can't be that old.
Thanks!
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:47 am
by Shikkapow
no one?
hmm
this thing is a screamer and I had no idea it was so loud. I'll try to get a video.
is there any way to get a sorta kinda within a decade born on date with the serial number? or are these things so common that they aren't even tracked?
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 3:41 am
by Jpressman8
I purchased an NOS model A off of ebay for 70$. It appears to be a late 70s to early 80s model. I have seen older ones on ebay ranging from $50 to $300 I think more than $150 is a bit much.
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 3:50 am
by Travis
I bought a brand new Model A back in 2004 for 100$. It was still in the original packaging. These little sirens are about a dime-a-dozen, so anything that isn't perfect or brand new, isn't worth more than about 50$. I will say that A's, L's, and D's are great little starter sirens for someone who can't quite afford the bigger models.
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 4:40 am
by Charlie Davidson
I purchased a brand new Model A last year on eBay for $110. Not sure what year it was manufactured, my best guess is late 1990's-early 2000's. The guy I bought it from said it had been in storage for a good several years. Definitely a screamer!
Take a look at the serial number on the Id tag of your Model A. Tell us what the last two digits are and that will tell you the year it was made. The earliest siren I have that has an actual date code on it was made in 1967 (last two numbers in the SN was 67), I understand that around that time is when Federal started putting readable dates in the serial numbers. I've got a couple of other older Federal sirens that do not have date codes in the ID tags, however by the looks of them they both date from the 50's.
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 5:13 pm
by FedSig-Kid
There's someone on the internet selling Model As for $750 a piece. Well at least he's trying to sell them.

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 3:47 am
by Daniel
I bought one for $80 that came off a fire boat in Portland, Oregon. Nearly all Oregon public school buildings that were built in the 40's and 50's had Model A or similar sirens for fire alarms and civil defense. Some schools still use them, although they are quickly being replaced by new systems.
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:04 am
by Mac
Got mine for $75 at a big flea market. From the looks of it, was an older one.
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:12 pm
by Shikkapow
the serial is 7L13.
I got it for $80~ish. maybe a little high but whatever it looks brand new.
no markings on the motor or anywhere else besides the plate.