Comments on: What’ll $20 Buy These Days?A Stromberg-Carlson Model 1243! http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/2008/06/21/stromberg-carlson-1243/ Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:46:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Keith http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/2008/06/21/stromberg-carlson-1243/#comment-596 Keith Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:53:05 +0000 http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/?p=52#comment-596 Hi All, I'm new to this site, and I think I like it. Finally something I have the answer to!! Sometime around or during WWII, Western Electric/The Bell System ran out of 302s, so they bought 1243s from Stromberg-Carlson. When they needed repair, they used "Genuine Bell" parts, which would extlain Michael's F1 handset on a 1243, and my 1243 haveing a WE #5 dial when I bought it. Hope this info helps, Keith Hi All,
I’m new to this site, and I think I like it.

Finally something I have the answer to!!

Sometime around or during WWII, Western Electric/The Bell System ran out of 302s, so they bought 1243s from Stromberg-Carlson. When they needed repair, they used “Genuine Bell” parts, which would extlain Michael’s F1 handset on a 1243, and my 1243 haveing a WE #5 dial when I bought it.

Hope this info helps,
Keith

]]> By: Dennis Markham http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/2008/06/21/stromberg-carlson-1243/#comment-592 Dennis Markham Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:12:33 +0000 http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/?p=52#comment-592 Hi Janson, the handle is simply called a "lift" and serves only that purpose. It was just another type of design. I checked with a couple phone collector friends and each said the same thing about the lift. It has no other purpose. Thanks for posting a note on the blog! Check out the forum (see the link on the right hand side-bar of the main page) and join in on the conversation about Classic Rotary Phones! Hi Janson, the handle is simply called a “lift” and serves only that purpose. It was just another type of design. I checked with a couple phone collector friends and each said the same thing about the lift. It has no other purpose. Thanks for posting a note on the blog! Check out the forum (see the link on the right hand side-bar of the main page) and join in on the conversation about Classic Rotary Phones!

]]> By: Janson Fangio http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/2008/06/21/stromberg-carlson-1243/#comment-591 Janson Fangio Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:14:11 +0000 http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/?p=52#comment-591 Hello, I have a SC 1243 that I bought on ebay for a movie prop several years ago. As an avid antiques collector, however, I decided to keep it for myself and try and refurbish it and set it to working order. In fact, it prompted me to start looking for and collecting vintage phones and other electronics. In my searches for answers and items I have stumbled upon your site. I too was intrigued by the window in the bottom. I am also trying to figure out what the spring-loaded lever under the receiver cradle with the "Stromberg-Carlson" name imprinted on it is for. It doesn't seem to be directly connected to anything electronic when looking at the inside, although it is directly on top of the hook-switch assembly. Any ideas? I have read that this model was the first telephone with a proper network circuit, beating WE. I don't really know anything about the nitty gritty techno-electrical babel here or even what a network circuit is, but I wonder if it has something to do with that. Thanks Janson Hello,
I have a SC 1243 that I bought on ebay for a movie prop several years ago. As an avid antiques collector, however, I decided to keep it for myself and try and refurbish it and set it to working order. In fact, it prompted me to start looking for and collecting vintage phones and other electronics. In my searches for answers and items I have stumbled upon your site. I too was intrigued by the window in the bottom. I am also trying to figure out what the spring-loaded lever under the receiver cradle with the “Stromberg-Carlson” name imprinted on it is for. It doesn’t seem to be directly connected to anything electronic when looking at the inside, although it is directly on top of the hook-switch assembly. Any ideas? I have read that this model was the first telephone with a proper network circuit, beating WE. I don’t really know anything about the nitty gritty techno-electrical babel here or even what a network circuit is, but I wonder if it has something to do with that.
Thanks
Janson

]]> By: Rachel http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/2008/06/21/stromberg-carlson-1243/#comment-416 Rachel Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:36:48 +0000 http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/?p=52#comment-416 Hi Mark, I recently purchased a SC 1243, working phone. I would like to use this phone in my home, but noticed a crackeling noise when I use it. I was thinking about replacing the phone cord, as a friend suggested this might be the problem. What do you think? Do you know of any good place online that sells repro cords for this model? Thanks - Rachel Hi Mark,

I recently purchased a SC 1243, working phone. I would like to use this phone in my home, but noticed a crackeling noise when I use it. I was thinking about replacing the phone cord, as a friend suggested this might be the problem. What do you think? Do you know of any good place online that sells repro cords for this model?

Thanks - Rachel

]]> By: Bill http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/2008/06/21/stromberg-carlson-1243/#comment-105 Bill Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:02:47 +0000 http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/?p=52#comment-105 Mark, I just came across a 1243 that belonged to my grandfather. I would like to clean it up and restore it to display in my office, next to an old typewriter of his. I don't necessarily need it to work, but I want it to look good. It is scratched all over and has some paint droppings on it as well. Any suggestions as to the best way to clean it up? If you know of any websites that would help, that would be great. [<i>I hesitate to make suggestions regarding a family treasure, but here goes: I'm assuming you don't want to repaint, but rather refurbish the existing finish. First I'd try some automotive polishing compound. Hopefully that will have sufficient grit to remove the paint drips and the scratches. Once the drips are off, shine it up with an automotive wax, the type that's often called a cleaner/wax. There's no "magic bullet" to doing this job, and you should be prepared for the possibility of messing up the finish, which would make repainting necessary. If you'd like to discuss this further shoot me an e-mail!  -Mark</i>] Mark,

I just came across a 1243 that belonged to my grandfather. I would like to clean it up and restore it to display in my office, next to an old typewriter of his. I don’t necessarily need it to work, but I want it to look good. It is scratched all over and has some paint droppings on it as well. Any suggestions as to the best way to clean it up? If you know of any websites that would help, that would be great.

[I hesitate to make suggestions regarding a family treasure, but here goes: I'm assuming you don't want to repaint, but rather refurbish the existing finish. First I'd try some automotive polishing compound. Hopefully that will have sufficient grit to remove the paint drips and the scratches. Once the drips are off, shine it up with an automotive wax, the type that's often called a cleaner/wax. There's no "magic bullet" to doing this job, and you should be prepared for the possibility of messing up the finish, which would make repainting necessary. If you'd like to discuss this further shoot me an e-mail!  -Mark]

]]> By: Michael http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/2008/06/21/stromberg-carlson-1243/#comment-95 Michael Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:47:10 +0000 http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/?p=52#comment-95 Hi Mark, I am new to collecting and repairing old telephones. I just bought my first old phone, a Stromberg Carlson 1243. It came to me with a handset that didn't look quite like the one in on-line photos of other 1243s. A close inspection reveals that I have bought a 1243 with a Western Electric F1 handset. My question is, What kind of problems, if any, might this be likely to present? Thanks, Michael [<i lang="">Hey Michael, I'm aware of no issues as far as functionality goes (someone chime in if I'm wrong), but you may want to keep your eyes open for an original S-C handset, if for no other reason than to restore its distinctive look. You might find one of them on eBay, and could even come across a good handset on an otherwise damaged or incomplete 1243. Good luck! - Mark</i>] Hi Mark,

I am new to collecting and repairing old telephones. I just bought my first old phone, a Stromberg Carlson 1243. It came to me with a handset that didn’t look quite like the one in on-line photos of other 1243s. A close inspection reveals that I have bought a 1243 with a Western Electric F1 handset. My question is, What kind of problems, if any, might this be likely to present? Thanks, Michael

[Hey Michael,
I'm aware of no issues as far as functionality goes (someone chime in if I'm wrong), but you may want to keep your eyes open for an original S-C handset, if for no other reason than to restore its distinctive look. You might find one of them on eBay, and could even come across a good handset on an otherwise damaged or incomplete 1243. Good luck! - Mark]

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