Commercial Accessories.
Page 18
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A Very Complete Range now Marketed by S. Smith and Sons, Ltd.
Long before motorcars were dreamt of, S. Smith and Sons, Ltd., was well known :in the watch and clock-making and allied trades, it is more than likely that the same company will still be manufacturing instruments of precision. when motors and motoring are deemed
relics of the dark ages. The merits of accessories made by this concern need no emphasis so far as the general motoring public is concerned. No less worthy of praise are those fittings which are designed for the benefit of the users of commercial vehicles.
A visit to, and a stroll through, the company's premises at 179-185, Great Portland Street, are at all times instructive, to the layman, on account of the variety of the work done ; to the technicallyminded, because of the thoroughness and system there exemplified. On the occasion of our visit, we took the opportunity to investigate very thoroughly the varied assortment of commercial-vehicle accessories, and have selected one or two of the most interesting for comment, accompanying the descriptions by photographs.
The electric-lighting equipment is deserving of special mention. The dynamo and fittings are very compact, the lamps particularly neat, and the switchboard strikes us as being the simplest we have yet seen. Any owner of commercial vehicles with a leaning towards the cleanliness of electricity as a lighting medium will be well advised to give this careful consideration before deciding to purchase. In particular will this recommend itself to owners of public-service vehicles. A very neat and stitong cast-aluminium lighting set is also supplied. A feature of the side lamps (one of which we illustrate) is that the door d59., is hinged above instead of at the side, the advantage claimed for this arrangement being that there is less wear on the hinge. The generator supplied with this set is the well-known A.L. disc-feed type, the external portion of which is galvanized iron with a container of cast aluminium.
In considering the range of accessories suitable for commercial vehicles, the needs of the heavy steam lorry and tractor have not been_ overlooked. During our investigation, we examined a very substan tial side lame. This is strongly constructed, finished in black and brass, and mounted on a. spring bracket.
A discussion of lamps would not be complete without a reference to the standard oil side and tail lamps suitable for the general run of commercial vehicles. The side lamp, in particular, shows evidence of having been designed by someone with a fair 'knowledge of the failings customarily encountered on these accessories. The oil container, for example, is on these lamps very securely held indeed, no fewer than three distinct fastenings being employed.
A recent addition to the company's available stock is a range of jacks for heavy duties. At present, the sizes stocked are suitable for one-ton, three-ton or five-ton chassis, the last-named being Altogether a very " hefty-looking " machine, quite capable of supporting the rear axle of a loaded steam lorry.
In the course of a short article such as is the present one, it is
naturally impossible for us to deal, even in the briefest manner, with all or nearly all of the products of S. Smith and Sons, Ltd. The speedometer and mileage-recorders are almost sufficiently described by being mentioned, so well are they known throughout the industry.
The full list of the firm's goods occupies a very substantial and sumptuous catalogue. Those of our readers who happen to be busy, however, would be well advised to confine their attentions to the section devoted to commercial accessories; it will well repay the time necessary for its perusal.