[David Dunlop]

Mounted in the left rear corner of the Cab 13 WIRE-5 Truck, roughly by the ear of the co-driver, is a small wooden mounting bracket, with a signal buzzer fastened to it. This piece of equipment is very likely NOT unique to this particular CMP and was probably used in a number of vehicles where a crew in an isolated rear body needed to alert the driver and his mate in the cab of something important.

The back surface of the wooden bracket has been shaped to fit snugly in the corner curve of the cab and is held in place by two mounting screws set diagonally, upper left to lower right, when viewing the buzzer from inside the cab. The recessed lock nuts are identical to those used to anchor the roof of the 2K1 body immediately above and parallel to the side rain gutters. The screw is the same aluminum slotted truss head as well (although I have seen very thin headed steel hex screws also used -later replacements???).

In case someone needs to know what this particular item looks like, I have posted some pictures of one. For reference, the lens cap in the photos is 85mm diameter.

Sadly, there are absolutely no makers marks of any kind to be found on the buzzer, but I cannot help feeling that it was probably a very common devise pre-war: perhaps as a simple door buzzer in homes, or in street cars and other public transit vehicles. Certainly the lanyard/switch assembly slung along the ceiling of the 2K1 Wireless Body, used by either the wireless operator or Cypher Clerk to activate the buzzer was identical to those I remember seeing and using in Canadian Car and Foundry built Transit Buses in Winnipeg in the 1950's.

Anyway, for those that need, now you know what they look like, so it will hopefully be easier to spot one at your next antique shop or flea market visit.

David