Original Item: Only One Available. Made in approximately 1940, this is a World War II German hand-crank air raid siren (Handsirene). The chopper, stator, rear housing and handle are made of Bakelite, while the horn is steel, and the other components are aluminum. It constructed from a wonderful dark brown bakelite and still functions by emitting a classic air raid siren screech when cranked. The sound damper moves correctly, returning to the closed position by spring action. This example looks to have been painted black, but we do not see green paint underneath, so this may be the original color.
It is complete, except it does not have the stand on the bottom, which may have been removed to make it lighter. With an intact hand hold on the top, the stand was somewhat superfluous. The reverse is clearly maker marked JURK in a circle, with a 1940 date on the small rectangle below. The folding bakelite handle is marked Ziehen (Pull) next to an arrow. The bakelite parts are of the most desirable red/brown variety.
This is a very rare hard to find piece offered in fully operational condition. The handle turns with some effort, and the siren is definitely loud. Definitely a great addition to any WWII collection!