Western Electric 300 series telephones

[MMikeJBenN27]

As a teenager, I saw two different 302s having a different receiver capsule than HA-1.  I have heard that some had a LA-1 capsule.  Is that was those two different looking capsules were?  They were not Connecticut, as the magnet section was square, not round.

Mike

[Babybearjs]

I know that there is an adapter that is used on the F1 handset to allow for newer receivers to be used. I think I have one in my parts box, and if I can find it, I'll share the picture of it with you all...

[Jack Ryan]

As a teenager, I saw two different 302s having a different receiver capsule than HA-1.  I have heard that some had a LA-1 capsule.  Is that was those two different looking capsules were?  They were not Connecticut, as the magnet section was square, not round.

Mike

When were you a teenager?

I think: 557E --> LA-1 --> HA-1 --> U1 (not usual)

Edit:
I was hunting for more detail on the LA-1 and I don't have any. According to my notes, I got the information from Paul Fassbender's WEB site. I revisited his site and I don't have the BSPs that are listed so I have no more information.

http://www.paul-f.com/we300typ.htm

Hopefully Paul can add something.

Jack

[paul-f]

Elements from F-type handsets were available with both F and G handles, as were elements from G-type handsets.

Parts for F and GF handsets are shown here:

http://www.paul-f.com/we300typ.htm#F_Parts

F4 and F5 handsets have the inserts for T1 and U1 elements:

http://www.paul-f.com/we300typ.htm#F4

[.....]

Pictures of the inserts for the F1.

[MMikeJBenN27]

I am not talking about U-1 capsules in an "F" handset, I am talking about a drop-in capsule that has different magnets from the HA-1 capsule.  If you don't know, just tell me, don't try to answer a question I never asked.

[MMikeJBenN27]

And I am not talking about "T" style transmitter capsules either.

[Doug Rose]

Well since you asked so nicely, I try to answer a question you did ask, but hey, I could be wrong.

You might be talking about a Federal, looked like a 302, but is Bakelite. Different transmitter and receiver. Vermillion is still there, made for the War. I know this was not a question you asked. just showing off . We are friendly here and try to be helpful....Doug

[.....]

Well since you asked so nicely, I try to answer a question you did ask, but hey, I could be wrong.

Be careful Doug, I sense any help could receive attitude.

CDN Doug

[Doug Rose]

 

[paul-f]

As a teenager, I saw two different 302s having a different receiver capsule than HA-1.  I have heard that some had a LA-1 capsule.  Is that was those two different looking capsules were?  They were not Connecticut, as the magnet section was square, not round.

Mike,

Your original question didn't really give us much to work with. We don't have much of a clue what receiver you remember seeing.

I see taking the approach of sharing with you official adapters and other receivers we have seen hasn't hit the mark.

When were you a teenager? If it was after the 1950s, 300-type sets could easily have been modified by collectors or independent refurbishers -- any of which could have put in any receiver that would fit. Over the years, I acquired many sets that had mismatched components and had fun restoring them to single-vendor sets.

Going back to your original post, have you found any info or photos of LA-1 receivers?

The reference Jack remembers from my site was probably here:
http://www.paul-f.com/we300typ.htm#F1

Go to the last referenced BSP:
https://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/search?q=501-210-101

Table A references a LA3 receiver used in handsets for the 320, 322 and KS-14548 sets, but doesn't show it.

Ralph Meyer's book "Old Time Telephones" has a figure of a LA2 receiver that was designed for the Trimline -- much later than production 300-type sets. It does seem to have a square magnet (see below). Is this what you remember?

While I don't know of a standard modification to put a LA2 in a F-type handset, that doesn't mean one doesn't exist, or that the T-adapter wouldn't work or collectors or refurbishers didn't "just do it."