Who Amongst Us Has The Oldest 500?

[phonium]

Here is my 1950.

Did you get that off Ebay recently? I saw one sold that looked like that.

[SUnset2]

It was a buy-it-now.  It was only up for a minute or two.  $19.95 + $25.92 shipping.
I don't normally look at plain black 500s, but I've been looking for a mid-1956 for spare parts.  But I couldn't resist this one, as it is older than any other 500s I have.

[Jim Stettler]

If you  received it this month, then you should put  it in the October 2020 Find of the month

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=post;topic=24373.0;last_msg=242994

I will be closing the nominations  no earlier than 7:00 PM MDT.

[Jim Stettler]

 phonium
Just got an 11/50
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=24492.msg243060#msg243060

[cchaven]

I just picked up a nearly all numbers matching 500T dated 9/51 from the same group of shops I've picked up multiple phones from over the years.  Unfortunately it appears the upper housing has been changed as there is a 'P' and '62' in the circle cast into it with no vermilion date stamp along the edge.

[FABphones]

500 C/D.   6/1953.

[ChrisW6ATV]

I have a red 500 marked C/D 10/52, but it is not all original, since it has a plastic dial. It cost $5 at a thrift shop in northern California in 2010-2014, I forgot what year.

Would it be worthwhile for me to try putting all-1952 parts back into it, if I could find them, or at least a metal dial, or is it better to leave it as is? I definitely like the idea of a matching dial, at least.

[JorgeAmely]

February 22, 1950

[MMikeJBenN27]

I have a red 500 marked C/D 10/52, but it is not all original, since it has a plastic dial...

...is it better to leave it as is? I definitely like the idea of a matching dial, at least.

If you want to keep it red, it is SUPPOSED to have a plastic dial.  Only put a metal dial on it if you want to return it to black.  Western Electric started making plastic color phones in late 1940, but color 500s in 1953.  All color sets have had a plastic dial.

Mike

[MMikeJBenN27]

If you want to keep it red, it is SUPPOSED to have a plastic dial.  Only put a metal dial on it if you want to return it to black.  Western Electric started making plastic color phones in late 1940, but color 500s in 1953.  All color sets have had a plastic dial.

One addition - Many, if not most, 1954 red phones had a black dial face and matching metal dial for that year only.
Mike

[ChrisW6ATV]

Thank you for your comments, Mike. I just saw now that you had replied to my post in July.

I will take time to learn more about the color 500 phones and their components, before thinking of changing anything. I also have an olive-green one, dated 2-75 on a sticker over a presumed older date, but much newer. (It has a bare metal base versus black, and round vinyl or similar feet versus the felt-like older ones, but it is all hard-wired rather than having RJ connectors.)

[paul-f]

I will take time to learn more about the color 500 phones and their components, before thinking of changing anything. I also have an olive-green one, dated 2-75 on a sticker over a presumed older date, but much newer. (It has a bare metal base versus black, and round vinyl or similar feet versus the felt-like older ones, but it is all hard-wired rather than having RJ connectors.)

Following up on Mike's comments, if you want to create a dates-matching 1952 phone to match the base date, it will require replacing all the red components with black parts.

Some good sources for learning more about the color 500s include:

• This extensive forum topic: http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2265.0
• BSPs in the TCI Library. Some include info on the early two-tone 500 sets.
• http://www.paul-f.com/color.htm#WE500
• http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=11422.msg132909#msg132909

[MMikeJBenN27]

One addition - Many, if not most, 1954 red phones had a black dial face and matching metal dial for that year only.
Mike

Sorry, forgot about those - red, dark blue, yellow, and dark grey often had black dial faces and metal fingerwheels, and even some later red and yellow ones did.

[MMikeJBenN27]

...I also have an olive-green one, dated 2-75 on a sticker over a presumed older date, but much newer. (It has a bare metal base versus black, and round vinyl or similar feet versus the felt-like older ones, but it is all hard-wired rather than having RJ connectors.)

A goldish base plate with round feet indicates a 1967 or later phone.

Mike

[MMikeJBenN27]

Here you go sir ...

Wow!  That's got me beat!  Mine is a 51.

Mike