Classic Rotary Phones Forum

check out my new Western Electric Silvr Imperial.  These are super rare.  The Gold ones are fairly common, but the Silver ones are not.  Most of the chrome/nickel plated D mounts are silver Continentals, with the standard brown suede foot. I have been looking for a Silver Imperial for a few years now.  Finally found one that is decent.

Mike

Open the handset'

It may have  G-type elements vs F type.
That will tell you the proper subset.
Jim

It does.  I should use a 685 subset, but I have 2 684 units.  I will try them, but if I don't like it, will have to buy a 685.

Mike

Quote from: Jim Stettler on July 24, 2022, 01:17:48 PMOpen the handset'

It may have  G-type elements vs F type.
That will tell you the proper subset.
Jim

I disagree. A large percentage of Continentals and Imperials have F4 handsets (HA1 receiver unit and F1 transmitter unit) and D4U (4-conductor) mounting cords. These were used with 684- or 634-type subsets.

A 211 or 202 with a 685A subset would require 5 or 6 conductors between the mounting and the subset. I have never found a 202 with a 5- or 6-conductor mounting cord.

The last 302 (1938 reissued in 1959) I purchased -- currently in use on my 5ESS landline -- has an F4 handset.

I have a Gold Imperial with an F4, and I do have it hooked up to a 684, and I think it works fine, but some people feel that it would be better with a 685.  Maybe my ears are too old to tell the difference!

Mike

My Gold Imperial came attached to a 684 subset that was painted the same color white as the handset.

~

Congratulations on your find!

I have always loved Continentals. I love the story of the Continentals. I too searched high & low to add a silver to my collection (Still don't have a Peking Red). My silver is not in good condition, was in moisture and has some rust. I display it beside the Gold version with it's F handset, on top of it's 684a subset. It isn't in working condition but it exists & in my collection. I assumed these were the original parts, we can never be certain.

I do have a question on your Continental. I have never seen one with a dial blank. A Continental is defined by the pieces assembled to re build the phones. The 6d dial is a intricate piece of that 'formula'. Perhaps a special accommodation for a matching extension by a tech?

Very interesting piece, you did good. I'm jealous!

*The silver is on right. The gold looks silver in the photo.

~

I tried to delete the duplicate picture but couldn't. Not sure how I achieved that. Sorry.

Quote from: Pourme on July 26, 2022, 06:41:55 AMI tried to delete the duplicate picture but couldn't. Not sure how I achieved that. Sorry.

Its because after you hit upload you also hit "INSERT" and it puts a photo inside the post while if you just hit "Upload" it will just put one below the post. Quirky software here. I just don't ever hit Insert anymore to avoid the double photo post.

Quote from: Pourme on July 26, 2022, 06:28:41 AM...I do have a question on your Continental...

Mine is an Imperial, as are those two of your's.  A Continental has the standard brown suede foot.  I have a green Continental that I will be sprucing up and selling.

Mike

Quote from: Pourme on July 26, 2022, 06:41:55 AMI tried to delete the duplicate picture but couldn't.

Deleted it for you.

Thanks John!