“AFA Burglar Alarm” burglar alarm, Edinburgh • Not so much trapped as framed – and it’s obviously been there a long time. • Spotted: Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, EH1, Scotland, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Edinburgh East
“AFA Burglar Alarm” burglar alarm, Edinburgh • Not so much trapped as framed – and it’s obviously been there a long time. • Spotted: Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, EH1, Scotland, 2012 • Politics: In the Labour constituency of Edinburgh East
Burglar Alarm Britain 
That’s in pretty good condition for it’s age.
I think someone asked somewhere…..
AFA started out in the early 1900s manufacturing fire alarm equipment.
“Autocall” and AFA were merged in 1963.
AFA were then able to offer Fire/Security alarms, grilles, locks etc.
Both AFA and Minerva Fire Defence were brought by EMI during 1968/9; again the two merged together- “AFA-Minerva – EMI”
Hope that helps putting a date on how old the boxes are.
I’d think the box in the picture is 1963/4.
According to installation paperwork I saw while at Thorn; it looks as if the drum boxes seem have been introduced around 1964 onwards.
I found some circuit diagrams for the old G-type controller the other day.
They were updated versions of the Autocall drawings- these dated 1964 too.
What a great picture. Make the bell box look an Inch high.