I just found this in my parts collection and wondered if anyone knows how many years this was used.

Looks like an attempt to halt auto theft.
I have it listed in Parts FOR SALE.

Johnny

 

That coil carried GM part number 1115126 .
It was used in all 39 thru 47 Oldsmobiles .
It may also have been used in other GM makes .

You're right , The shielded wire from the switch was an effort to curb auto theft .

 

The 41 parts book list the coil as 37-41, 2 ignition switches were used in 41,
one for models E-F-H &L41 and one for models G & J 41. I didn't even know they had that many models.

 

I don't see apart #, any idea how to ID this one??

Johnny

PS. Upon further review I found a # on the switch 1116331.

 

Here's a bit more to possibly muddy the water.

My Olds parts books from 1955-1958 show the ignition coil (group 2.170) for 1941 as being used from 1939-1947, but it shows part number 1911441.
That part number you found (1116331) is shown in group 2.188 (switch, ignition) as being used on the 1941 & 1942 models (but not earlier or later).

I can't find any of the numbers mentioned (1115126, 1116331, or 1911441) in the groups 2.170 & 2.188 of the Chevrolet parts book (though the book does go back to 1941).

But in my 1955 Olds parts book, it says to use 1116331 in place of 1116334, effective 1 Jan. 1954.

And in my 1958 Olds parts book, it says that 1116331 has been "removed", effective 1 Jul. 1957.

Are you sure that what's shown in your images was original equipment (as one assembly) on the 1941 Oldsmobile? It's strange that the coil and the switch would have two part numbers on one assembly (if that's what happening).

I'm afraid that you will have to find someone smarter than I to "straighten all this out". Someone with an "original" 1941 Oldsmobile might be good.

 

Let me shed some light .
The coil itself was one part . The coil cover , the "armored" wire , and the ignition switch was another assembly .
The coil could be separated from the coil cover by sliding a thin bladed knife between the coil and the cover in just the right spot to "unlock" the cover . And allow the coil to be rotated slightly counterclockwise freeing it from the cover . Then the wire was unbolted from the coil .
Auto thives must have figured this system out rather soon , as it wasn't used after 1947 .