What is a Royal Navy signal practice set?

Designed in the early twentieth century, these educational tools, often referred to as Tufnell boxes, were utilised by the Royal Navy to train officers and sailors in semaphore, flag signalling, and fleet communication procedures.

What materials were used to construct early twentieth-century signal practice sets?

These practice sets were typically crafted using fitted wooden cases with brass latches, brass or wooden collapsible masts, and hand-painted metal or tin miniature signal flags.

How can one identify an authentic antique naval signal practice set?

Authentic sets feature period-correct brass fittings, age-appropriate patination on metal elements, original hand-painted flag graphics, and internal compartments with stamped or handwritten navigational notations.

How can a naval signal practice set be styled in a modern interior?

Display the set open on a library shelf, console table, or study desk to showcase the intricate flag arrangements and brass masts as a focal decorative object.

How should an antique naval signal practice set be cared for and preserved?

Store the set in a dry, climate-controlled environment, dusted regularly with a soft dry brush, and avoid abrasive chemical cleaners on the hand-painted metal flags and patinated brass components.

for sale €2,217 $2,407

£1,895

Jason Clarke Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2015

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Id #SA824362

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Early Twentieth Century Royal Navy Signal Practice Set or Tufnell Box

Name: Early Twentieth Century Royal Navy Signal Practice Set or Tufnell Box
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA824362
Price: 1895 GBP
Availability: InStock

1920 - 1940

For Sale by Jason Clarke Antiques

Description

For sale, a rare early Twentieth Century Royal Navy Tufnell signal practice set.

Encased in a large black painted pine case, the base is divided into numerous sections into which painted metal flags are stowed. The sections are ordered according to types of flag with a key provided to the top edges of the case. Sections include:

Alphabetical flags

Numeral Flags & Pendants

Special Flags & Pendants

International

Admiral Flags

Aircraft Carrier

Special & Lights

A large quantity of flags are included in the set although I am unable to confirm whether it retains a complete set owing to my lack of signalling skills (For those initiated in the art, please forgive any unintended offence I have caused by the signal I set up for the photographs…) but if you wish to discuss the collection in more detail, I would be very happy to assist.

The upper section when laid flat and open, provides a number of brass supports which can be erected to mimic two opposing ships masts. The trainees at either end would then be able to practice in pairs against their partner’s signals. These can then be returned to a flat position for storage when not in use.

Surprisingly little is written of Commander Lionel Tufnell’s signalling career. Born in 1857, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1881 and then Flag Lieutenant to Rear Admiral Erskine off the Irish Coast in 1888. He reached the rank of Commander in 1895 and following initial interest by the US Navy was put in charge of experiments with the use of homing pigeons as a means of communication. In the same year, he was also given the responsibility of the Royal Navy Signal School upon HMS Victory and at Sheerness and Devonport.

Tufnell’s opportunity made him the first Superintendent of The Signal School, a post he held until 1898 during which time he invented this simple and very practical teaching aid dubbed thereafter as the Tufnell Box. Its use seems to have endured through the first half of the Twentieth Century and was a standard for Royal Navy recruits during successive World Wars.

Tufnell himself was promoted to Captain in 1901 and moved to the China Station in 1904. In 1910, he was appointed as temporary Commander of the Royal Naval Barracks at Devonport and promoted again to Rear Admiral in 1911. Having been placed on the retired list in the same year, he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Greek Naval Fleet where he was successful in modernising training and gunnery practices. He remained in Greece until 1913 and thereafter achieved both Vice Admiral and Admiral on the retired list.

A rare piece of Royal Navy memorabilia

Circa 1930

Physical Dimensions

Height

13.5cm (5.31")

Width

81cm (31.89")

Depth

36cm (14.17")

Declaration

Jason Clarke Antiques has dated this Royal Navy Signal Set to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA824362

Description

For sale, a rare early Twentieth Century Royal Navy Tufnell signal practice set.

“

Encased in a large black painted pine case, the base is divided into numerous sections into which painted metal flags are stowed.

Jason Clarke Antiques

The sections are ordered according to types of flag with a key provided to the top edges of the case. Sections include:

fig 1. An open early twentieth-century black wooden box featuring internal compartments with miniature signal flags and upright brass masts displaying colourful painted flags. — fig 1. Early Twentieth Century Royal Navy Signal Practice Set or Tufnell Box

Alphabetical flags

Numeral Flags & Pendants

Special Flags & Pendants

International

Admiral Flags

Aircraft Carrier

Special & Lights

A large quantity of flags are included in the set although I am unable to confirm whether it retains a complete set owing to my lack of signalling skills (For those initiated in the art, please forgive any unintended offence I have caused by the signal I set up for the photographs…) but if you wish to discuss the collection in more detail, I would be very happy to assist.

fig 2. An open early twentieth-century black wooden box featuring internal compartments with miniature signal flags and upright brass masts displaying colourful painted flags. — fig 2. Early Twentieth Century Royal Navy Signal Practice Set or Tufnell Box

The upper section when laid flat and open, provides a number of brass supports which can be erected to mimic two opposing ships masts. The trainees at either end would then be able to practice in pairs against their partner’s signals. These can then be returned to a flat position for storage when not in use.

fig 3. An open early twentieth-century black wooden box featuring internal compartments with miniature signal flags and upright brass masts displaying colourful painted flags. — fig 3. Early Twentieth Century Royal Navy Signal Practice Set or Tufnell Box

Surprisingly little is written of Commander Lionel Tufnell’s signalling career. Born in 1857, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1881 and then Flag Lieutenant to Rear Admiral Erskine off the Irish Coast in 1888. He reached the rank of Commander in 1895 and following initial interest by the US Navy was put in charge of experiments with the use of homing pigeons as a means of communication. In the same year, he was also given the responsibility of the Royal Navy Signal School upon HMS Victory and at Sheerness and Devonport.

fig 4. An open early twentieth-century black wooden box featuring internal compartments with miniature signal flags and upright brass masts displaying colourful painted flags. — fig 4. Early Twentieth Century Royal Navy Signal Practice Set or Tufnell Box

Tufnell’s opportunity made him the first Superintendent of The Signal School, a post he held until 1898 during which time he invented this simple and very practical teaching aid dubbed thereafter as the Tufnell Box. Its use seems to have endured through the first half of the Twentieth Century and was a standard for Royal Navy recruits during successive World Wars.

fig 5. An open early twentieth-century black wooden box featuring internal compartments with miniature signal flags and upright brass masts displaying colourful painted flags. — fig 5. Early Twentieth Century Royal Navy Signal Practice Set or Tufnell Box

Tufnell himself was promoted to Captain in 1901 and moved to the China Station in 1904. In 1910, he was appointed as temporary Commander of the Royal Naval Barracks at Devonport and promoted again to Rear Admiral in 1911. Having been placed on the retired list in the same year, he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Greek Naval Fleet where he was successful in modernising training and gunnery practices. He remained in Greece until 1913 and thereafter achieved both Vice Admiral and Admiral on the retired list.

A rare piece of Royal Navy memorabilia

Circa 1930