Question |
| Asked by: |
George Windsor |
| Subject: |
Wand & Co - torpedo gyro |
| Question: |
Hello,
A antique dealer friend of mine recently showed me a very finely manufactured gyroscope housed in a well made wooden box. The box comes apart from placing it on a level surface and undoing two hasps underneath. The lid then folds up and flat to the rear. The device itself is then revealed and is held against the wooden base plate. There are instructins stamped into the timber informing you to 'slide sideways to remove' the device from its wooden carry case. The gyro itself is extremely well made, predominately being manufactured of brass. The gyro wheel is bright steel and the whole is in perfect condition and appears not to have been touched for many years. The movement is stamped with government ordinance stamps and there are two papers gummed to the inside of the lid.
These papers certify that the gyro has been calibrated or whatever. The first paper is dated certified and signed 1939 and the second is the same for 1945. Both papers list the device as being manufactured by "Wand & Co". It is obviously a piece of WWII naval ordinace of some type and I understand that this device was utilised for launching maritime torpedos. Could anyone provide any further information regarding this and its possible value. It is in 'very fine' condition and exibits only minor scuffing to several sections of the brasswork.
Kind regards
George Windsor
Gold Coast
Australia |
| Date: |
28 November 2004
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Answers (Ordered by Date)
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| Answer: |
webmaster@gyroscopes.org - 28/11/2004 16:12:36
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It sounds like you have a torpedo gyroscope. I can't say I've heard of "Wand & Co" but you must bear in mind there was quite a few companies producing torpedo gyros around the time of WWII. Most where produce by the Bristish, Americans, Germans and Japanesse.
In recent years American and Japanesse torpedo gyroscopes have been coming on the market, often being sold through ebay or dealers. You will find any on the market are unused, as used ones will have been blow up or are no on the sea bead.
These gyroscopes were masss produced and stored in wooden cases to be taken on bored ships/subs. When the torpedos were being prepared the gyroscopes were put into the torpedos. The gyroscope enables the torpedos to hold course. if the torpedo changes direction the gyroscope will still be pointing in the orginal direction and the torpedos rudders will correct the direction. gyroscope and rudders are linked.
Same sort of system was used on German V1 flying bombs.
Bristish, Americans and German gyroscopes use a high powered spring to spin the gyroscope when its fired. Japanesse gyros of the same time seem to be unique because
they are started by air.
At the end of the war they where either taken home as souvenirs or given away once the technology had moved on.
Value.
In the last week one sold on ebay for $255.00 USD (Japanesse, very good condition, wood boxed, some paperwork). I've seen people trying to sell them or $1000 USD but they never seem to sell. I can't see them fetching this because so many were produced and not used (tens of thousands??). I would expect to see it in a antique shop for a little more than $255. If you can 'attach' it to a well known ship or sub it may fetch more.
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| Answer: |
Jason - 17/12/2004 07:01:52
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| | Hi, I have a large display of various torpedo gyroscopes. FYI, W and Co stands for "Whitehead and Company" ;-) Whitehead was a brilliant engineer who 1st borrowed a gyroscope manufactored by a guy named OBRY (from Austria I think). Whitehead was the 1st to install the a gyroscope on a torpedo in the early 1900's. He since invented his own gyroscopes of various designs. I would love to see some photos of your gyro if possible.
Jason
jabels@mindspring.com
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| Answer: |
webmaster@gyroscopes.org - 18/12/2004 11:53:52
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| | Found a link about the history of whitehead
http://www.hansonclan.co.uk/Royal%20Navy/rw.htm
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| Answer: |
Jason - 13/04/2005 04:01:48
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| | Hi George;
I wrote you befor concerning this gyroscope. I would really apprechiate any photographs you may have. I have numerous Torpedo Gyroscope on display from many countries from 1902 to present day. I would love to compair yours to the ones we have if at all possible. I thank you in advance.
Jason
Miami, FL USA
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