Name of Issues:Esco Electronics
Title of Class of Securities:Common
CUSIP Number:269030201
(1)Name of Reporting Person: Donald Smith & Co., Inc. 13-2807845
(2)Check Appropriate Box if a Member of Group:"B"
(4) Place of Organization: E. 80 Rte. 4, Paramus, NJ 07652
(5) Sole Voting Power: 667,100 shares
(6) Shared Voting Power: 0
(7) Sole Dispositive Power:667,100 shares
(8) Shared Dispositive Power: 0
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned:667,100
(10)
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amt. In Row(9): 5.4%
(12) Type of Reporting Person: IA

Exhibit 1


(22,315)  Item 1 (a) Esco Electronics
          Item 2 (b) 8888 Ladue Road
                    St. Louis, Missouri 63124

(22,316)  Item 2 (a) Donald Smith & Co., Inc.
          Item 2 (b) East 80 Route 4, Paramus, N. J. 07652
          Item 2 (c) Not applicable
          Item 2 (d) Common
          Item 2 (e) Cusip =269030201

(22,317)  Item 3 (e) IA

(22,318)  Item 4 (a) 667,100 shares owned
                 (b) 5.4% of class
                 (c) (i) 667,100 shares can be solely voted
                     (ii)  0 shares (shared power to vote)
                     (iii) 667,100 shares can be disposed
                     (iv)  0 shares (shared power to dispose)

(22,319)  Item 5  Not applicable

(22,320)  Item 6 Not applicable
(22,321)  Item 7 Not applicable
(22,322)  Item 8 Not applicable
(22,323)  Item 9 Not applicable
                                                                
(22,324)  Item 10:
     By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and 
belief, 
the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of 
business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect 
of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such securities and 
were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction 
having such purposes or effect.

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I 
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete 
and 
correct.

Date: February 4, 1999
Name and Title:  Paula Smith; Corporate Secretary