If you found an engine order telegraph (often called a Chadburn) and the story goes something like “this came off a Surfbird minesweeper, around 1944,” you’re holding a piece of working maritime history. These instruments were built for one job: to relay speed commands from the bridge to the engineers below.
The catch is that the same object can be worth very different amounts depending on whether it’s a complete shipboard instrument, a single component (like a repeater), or a decorative conversion that’s been electrified as a lamp. This guide shows you how to identify what you have, document it properly, and estimate a realistic value range.
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What you likely have (bridge telegraph vs repeater vs decorative piece)
“Engine order telegraph” is sometimes used for several related devices. Before you estimate value, identify which type you have.
- Bridge engine order telegraph (EOT): the classic pedestal unit with a lever/handle used on the bridge. These are often tall and may be single- or double-dial.
- Engine room repeater: the receiving dial/indicator that mirrors the order in the engine room. It can appear as a wall instrument, sometimes without the same heavy pedestal.
- Converted display / lamp: a genuine telegraph body that has been rewired for decor. Conversions can be collectible, but heavy modification usually reduces value.
- Novelty “in the form of” a telegraph: ashtrays and desk items borrowing the telegraph shape.
How an engine order telegraph works (and how to read the dial)
Traditional telegraphs were a synchronized signaling machine. When the bridge moved the handle to a command, a bell rang in the engine room and a pointer moved to the matching command. The engineer then moved their handle to the same setting to acknowledge the order.
That’s why you’ll hear the word “bell” in naval language (for example: “full bell” or “flank bell”). Dials vary by maker and era, but many include Stop, Slow, Half, Full, and sometimes Flank.
Dating and maker identification (Chadburn, Bendix, Nunotani)
“Chadburn” is often used as a generic term, but the best way to date and attribute your telegraph is from maker plates, dial signatures, and construction details—not just the provenance story.
- Maker plates and dial signatures: check the column/base and dial for names, locations, serials, and model numbers.
- Mechanical vs electric: later units often include light boxes, wiring harnesses, and indicator lamps.
- Command language: different navies and eras use different legends; unusual labels can be a useful clue.
- Ship or military marks: disposal tags, property stamps, or engraved ship names can add value if they’re verifiable.
Documentation is king. If the telegraph is said to be from a minesweeper, the strongest provenance is a paper trail: shipyard removal paperwork, surplus/disposal paperwork, or a chain of custody from a museum, yard, or veteran.
Condition checklist (what collectors pay for)
Most telegraphs survive with honest wear: dull brass, scuffs, missing fasteners, or cloudy dial glazing. Condition affects value, but the main question is how complete and original the unit is.
- Dial faces and glass: cracks, lifting paint, moisture fogging, or replacement acrylic.
- Pointer/handle alignment: does the pointer sit correctly at each detent or does it drift?
- Bells and internal movement: original bell/striker assemblies matter to collectors.
- Base and mounting: a complete pedestal with foot ring is a major value driver.
- Conversions: electrified lamps and rewired units can still sell well, but heavy modification usually moves the item into a decor market.
Value: what an engine order telegraph sells for (with auction comps)
Values depend on size, maker, originality, and whether the telegraph is a complete bridge pedestal unit. The most reliable way to anchor your expectations is recent auction results.
- Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd (Nov 11, 2023), Lot 28: Japanese electric engine telegraph for MV “Motagua” (1969), hammer price £600.
- Artcurial (Feb 8, 2025), Lot 216: Bendix brass ship order telegraph (Brooklyn), hammer price €500.
- Atlanta Auction Gallery (Feb 8, 2025), Lot 120: Chadburns brass ship’s telegraph converted to a lamp, hammer price $400.
How to read those comps: the $400–£600/€500 range is common for smaller formats, conversions, or later electric units in used condition. A large, complete WWII-era pedestal telegraph with credible naval provenance (and minimal modification) can exceed that.
- Decor/conversion market: roughly $300–$900 depending on looks and completeness.
- Complete pedestal telegraph (good originality): often $1,000–$2,500+ depending on maker and size.
- Premium examples: paired bridge/engine sets, rare makers, or strong ship documentation can push higher.
The legacy WP appraisal note for this specific keyword suggested $1,500–$2,000. That range is plausible when the piece is a true pedestal EOT with attractive condition and a believable WWII service story.
How to sell (and how to photograph it for buyers)
These instruments are heavy, fragile at the dial, and expensive to ship. The best listings read like a condition report and include the exact photos a collector needs.
- Full-height front + back: include the base and any access panels.
- Both dial faces (if double): straight-on, glare-free.
- Close-ups of maker plates: plus any serial, contract plate, or ship engraving.
- Handle positions: one photo at stop, one at full, one at astern (if present) to show detents and pointer alignment.
- Shipping plan: show how you’ll crate it (or whether pickup only). Buyers pay more when they trust the shipping.
Care and cleaning (what to avoid)
The safest approach is “document first, clean second.” Collectors prefer honest patina over a mirror-polished look, and maker marks are easiest to read before you brighten the brass.
- Avoid aggressive polishing: it can erase lacquer remnants and soften crisp stamping.
- Don’t sand or abrade dial faces: dial paint and printing can be fragile.
- Skip harsh solvents: they can haze dial glazing and lift paint.
- Stabilize, don’t “restore”: tighten obvious fasteners and keep loose parts labeled for the next owner.
If you do clean, start with a soft microfiber cloth and a tiny amount of mild soap solution on the metal only, keeping moisture away from seams, dial edges, and internal movement.
Shipping and packing (heavy maritime instruments)
Shipping damage is one of the biggest value killers for ship telegraphs. If you can’t offer local pickup, plan for packing like a scientific instrument.
- Remove or protect the handle: if removable, pack separately; if not, immobilize it with padded blocking.
- Protect the dial glazing: use a rigid shield (foam board) and keep pressure off the glass.
- Double-box or crate: a tall pedestal telegraph often needs a simple wood crate to prevent tipping.
- Insure and photograph packing: buyers and carriers both rely on packing documentation.
Where to sell (and what buyers expect)
General marketplaces can work, but specialist maritime auctions often reach the right collectors—especially when provenance is part of the story.
- Specialist maritime auctions: best for documented shipboard instruments and unusual makers.
- Decorator market: converted lamps and incomplete units can do well when photographed beautifully.
- Pickup-only listings: can increase buyer confidence for heavy units if shipping is risky or expensive.
When to get help (and what to ask)
Consider a quick appraisal when you have a tall pedestal unit, unusual dial legends, a maker plate you can’t decipher, or a strong ship story you want documented for insurance, estate, or sale.
- Ask whether the appraiser can identify the maker and approximate date range from plates and dial language.
- Ask what details would increase value (missing parts? bell? base? original wiring?).
- Ask which selling channel fits your specific unit: decor vs specialist maritime auction.
Search variations collectors ask
Readers often search these questions while trying to identify a ship telegraph:
- how to identify a chadburn engine order telegraph maker mark
- engine order telegraph value WWII navy
- ship engine room telegraph vs bridge telegraph difference
- how to date a bendix ship order telegraph
- best way to clean brass ship telegraph without overpolishing
- is an engine order telegraph converted lamp worth anything
- how to ship a heavy maritime instrument safely
- what does flank bell mean on a ship telegraph
- surfbird minesweeper engine order telegraph 1944 value
Each question is addressed in the identification, condition, and value sections above.
References
- Engine order telegraph (overview)
- Chadburn (term + historical usage)
- Royal Museums Greenwich collections (maritime instruments)
Wrap-up
A ship’s engine order telegraph is one of the most display-worthy maritime instruments, but value is driven by specifics: maker, size, originality, and documentation. Photograph the plates and dials first, avoid aggressive polishing, and use recent comps to anchor your expectations. If the piece truly has WWII minesweeper provenance, preserving that story (with paperwork) can matter as much as the brass.