Cleaning and painting my 26/27 starter and generator. Can't find any manufacturing marks or data plates. Were starters and generators made by Ford? Or outside vendors?

I'll hang up and listen.

Ford made most all of those parts, The Ford Industries booklet, 1926, notes on page 7 ..."and departments turning out huge supplies of steel bars, copper wire, roller bearing, generators, magnetos, storage batteries.

The starter was mfg., but the starter gearing was purchased, that was a patent made part from Bendix.


starter brush

Bendix gearing was purchased, but Ford made the Bendix bolts!

Thank you for the quick response. I presumed Ford either made all the parts, or quickly purchased the company that did.

My starter must be made by an outside vendor because it didn't come with the fork attachment

Robert
The Model T generator and starter was designed by Fred Allison who worked in the electrical engineering department at Ford.
Here is a photo of Allison and one of his earlier projects.

The system was referred to as the "FA (Fred Allison) Starting and Lighting System".
The first generator and starter units were made by Liberty Electric, were slightly different and had an oval tag with the Liberty Electric name. In over 25 years of rebuilding generators and starters I have only seen one of these Liberty units.
Ford soon started production first for closed cars and then open cars. Many internal parts were made by outside suppliers. As has been pointed out the Bendix drive was purchased outside.
Sometimes it is very hard to locate, but If you look closely you can usually find Ford in script and a two digit date code stamped on the case of the generator and starter.
Hopes this helps
Ron the Coilman