In 2020, I was offered the 20-note chime device shown in the photo.
The program was pinned onto the wooden cylinder, which was rotated
by an electric motor. The chimes were of the wire rod type as seen
in mass produced chime clocks in the 1940s, as by Revere Telechron.
The dealer had no provenance other than it may have come out of
Grand Rapids, Michigan.

A check with knowledgeable people provided no clue as to manufacturer
or application. It looked more like a specialty item, as opposed to
one that was mass produced. It seemed to be arranged to make a single
revolution via a crude release mechanism, perhaps triggered by a clock
or manual input when the pinned "message" was desired to be played. The
tune portion did not look to be made for changeout with any frequency,
so it may be some sort of known jingle, tune or other signal indication.
I passed on it and within the week it was headed to the new owner.

Does anyone know what this chime device is, and the purpose it may have
served? Maybe a reader bought it and can regale us with a recording of
what it sounds like? Thank you.

Fred Dahlinger
Baraboo, Wisconsin
afdj51@charter.net.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]

 [ unidentified rod chime device
 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/22/02/13/220213_102828_chime%20device.jpg 

 [ In the lower left corner is a micro-switch which shuts off the motor
 [ after one revolution. -- Robbie