Old time restorer gave me some 1930's-40's vintage cloth auto wiring. One spool is small gauge with a flexible steel armored covering or shielding. He is 82 and can't recall what it was for. I know I've seen it on some old unrestored antique cars before, but I can't recall where in the harness, it was used. I want to say gas tank sender, but I probably am wrong. Any ideas?
Looks like BX....Military used metal external shielding for I think to limit radio interference for high voltage currents like spark plug wires, just a thought..
This wire is quite small. I guess I should try to measure the copper strand to see what gauge it is, then figure how much amps. Judging on the appearance of all the other spools, the cloth is very old/faded ...maybe 1920s or 30s? I am bummed about my memory; (maybe from Lyme) I would think a "correct" suggestion would ring a bell....but instead I hear lots of other things I think I recall what Bruce said about vintage driving lamps, that I saw on Hershey showcars... big 1929-32 classic cars with fancy brand driving lamps...but I thought the cable was chromed and a slightly bigger diameter.
The shiny things are stainless or chrome conduit, as on '28-32 Ford headlights. The jacketed wire like you have was originally a bit shinier than yours is now, like cadmium plated or such. I know it was used on Unity Sportlights, and I think on some other accessories that had wire hanging out in the open.
Bruce, the shiny ones on those big classic cars at Hershey years ago, I want to say I recall the driving light wires were maybe 1/4" or a bit less. Not like typical sized headlight stainless conduits. I sure don't doubt what you say about Unity wires. It's my brain telling me I saw armored thin wire "somewhere" on some old barn find I've worked on in the last 40 years. I almost recall it being unraveled and hanging out the firewall, or who knows. Maybe I'm wrong on that............I've worked on cars from 1907-up including oddball makes, cheap cars and some bigger dollar stuff. Paul, it is single strand. It is very small gauge as far as "6 volt" goes, I will get a measurement.
Similar wire was used on ignition of some cars to prevent "hot wiring" and cutting wires. It could also be house wiring, if it is single conductor wire it is house wiring, cars use fine stranded.
Ha ha 3 of us with the same answer at the same time. I got to type faster lol. Have seen 2 answers the same at 1 time but not 3.
I have seen bunch of that kind of wires going through restored quality mark American car grille fom late 20's. I think there had been similar ones originally. Maybe lights, horn etc.
I went to look at the wire spool again. It is marked in pencil " # 14 ", very old style script handwitten. it is fine braided copper inside, single conductor. Ok, so I will use it for coils... as I don't have any cars with driving lights.. Thanks
We actually have that car on our company. I try to remember check that out. Few pics would't neither hurt anybody. I hope I am not too busy to forget.
I realize this is an old post, but may have the answer. I came across this post looking for some shielded cable that was used on old gensets to ground the ignition to shut the engine off. I am sure it had other applications. I believe my 38 Plymouth uses it for one of the gauges. I found one reference that it was Electric Autolite Co #103027, 16 gauge If the diameter is approximately .135 I could use about a foot and a half of it for a restoration I am working on.
Armoured cable was common in the early 'electric' era when rubber insulation was not the best for durability. Was used by Hudson / Essex til the early '30s.Also tail circuits on some '20s GM makes. Plus others. Stocked by Brillmans.
I have a couple rolls. It can be found in the Mac`s catalog. Used in wiring running along the frame rails in 30`s Mopars.
The Jalopy Journal
