Cool Find From CL

[DebbieDoo]

I found this on my local Craigslist under antiques.  All I know is that is a WE 302.  There are no markings on the bottom of the phone however on the inside there are a couple of sets of numbers.  Maybe you all can help me identify it further.  They had it in this cool old WE 500 DR-60 box.....just a little bonus.   Sorry for the poor quality photo's.  I can't take an unblurry pic if my life depended on it!! lol

[WesternElectricBen]

One of phoneitus symptoms, buying something your not really into.. But, regaurdless, very nice find, the 302 looks nice, especially with it's cords. Would I be right if I said the phone was made of plastic, rather than metal?

Your right, the box doesn't match, but like you said, a nice bonus.

Ben

[DebbieDoo]

One of phoneitus symptoms, buying something your not really into.. But, regaurdless, very nice find, the 302 looks nice, especially with it's cords. Would I be right if I said the phone was made of plastic, rather than metal?

Your right, the box doesn't match, but like you said, a nice bonus.

Ben

Yeah, Ben, I'm just learning all the model numbers etc.  I love the look of these for sure.  I only paid $25.00 for it. 

Yes, it is plastic.  The numbers on the inside are as follows 10 & or 8 215, then 35016. 

[Matilo Telephones]

A great find!

What are the numbers you found on the inside?

[DebbieDoo]

A great find!

What are the numbers you found on the inside?

It shows the following sequence: 10 then an & or an 8 then 215.  Then 35016.  On the inside of the base plate it says 10/45.  This is all I could find on the inside.

Thanks for any input you might have on this.

[poplar1]

There are many dates on a 302: Inside, in addition to the dates on the base and housing, there should be a date on the ringer, induction coil, condenser, dial, and cords (on the restraints). Also on the number plate, transmitter, receiver and the F-1 handle--so 12 dates total, not including the caps, which are probably not dated. The handle will have a 2- or 3-digit number at the top--for example 95 for 9/45 or 105 for 10/45.

[DebbieDoo]

There are many dates on a 302: Inside, in addition to the dates on the base and housing, there should be a date on the ringer, induction coil, condenser, dial, and cords (on the restraints). Also on the number plate, transmitter, receiver and the F-1 handle--so 12 dates total, not including the caps, which are probably not dated. The handle will have a 2- or 3-digit number at the top--for example 95 for 9/45 or 105 for 10/45.

There is a 10/45 number on the inside of the base plate.  What does that mean?  I'll look again to see what other numbers I can find.  The ones I listed were just the most obvious ones.

[DebbieDoo]

There are many dates on a 302: Inside, in addition to the dates on the base and housing, there should be a date on the ringer, induction coil, condenser, dial, and cords (on the restraints). Also on the number plate, transmitter, receiver and the F-1 handle--so 12 dates total, not including the caps, which are probably not dated. The handle will have a 2- or 3-digit number at the top--for example 95 for 9/45 or 105 for 10/45.

I am a total newbie at this so I don't know all the parts yet.  This is what I have found so far.  Inside the receiver mouth piece is a 12/46.  I also found a few other number inside such as S-IV-45, B2A, IND-101-B.  That is all I can see.

[LarryInMichigan]

There are many dates on a 302: Inside, in addition to the dates on the base and housing, there should be a date on the ringer, induction coil, condenser, dial, and cords (on the restraints). Also on the number plate, transmitter, receiver and the F-1 handle--so 12 dates total, not including the caps, which are probably not dated. The handle will have a 2- or 3-digit number at the top--for example 95 for 9/45 or 105 for 10/45.

I am a total newbie at this so I don't know all the parts yet.  This is what I have found so far.  Inside the receiver mouth piece is a 12/46.  I also found a few other number inside such as S-IV-45, B2A, IND-101-B.  That is all I can see.

Numbers like "10/46" and "12/46" mean that the parts were manufactured in Oct 1945 or Dec 1946.  The roman numerals refers to quarters of the year, so "IV-45" would mean that the part was made in the fourth quarter of 1945.  "B2A" is the part number of the ringer, and "IND-101-B" is the part number of the induction coil.

Larry

[DebbieDoo]

There are many dates on a 302: Inside, in addition to the dates on the base and housing, there should be a date on the ringer, induction coil, condenser, dial, and cords (on the restraints). Also on the number plate, transmitter, receiver and the F-1 handle--so 12 dates total, not including the caps, which are probably not dated. The handle will have a 2- or 3-digit number at the top--for example 95 for 9/45 or 105 for 10/45.

I am a total newbie at this so I don't know all the parts yet.  This is what I have found so far.  Inside the receiver mouth piece is a 12/46.  I also found a few other number inside such as S-IV-45, B2A, IND-101-B.  That is all I can see.

Numbers like "10/46" and "12/46" mean that the parts were manufactured in Oct 1945 or Dec 1946.  The roman numerals refers to quarters of the year, so "IV-45" would mean that the part was made in the fourth quarter of 1945.  "B2A" is the part number of the ringer, and "IND-101-B" is the part number of the induction coil.

Larry

Thank you Larry!!  I am very new to this so all these numbers don't mean much and I don't know what the parts are.  It would be so helpful for someone to do a basic diagram of what the parts are called and what the numbers mean that are stamped on the parts.  I have searched all over and have found a lot of numbers but I don't know the lingo so getting confused and frustrated is an understatement. 

Thanks again for your help!!!

[TelePlay]

There should also be numbers on the back of the dial itself. You may have to loosen or remove the 3 screws (from the inside) holding the dial in place to see them.

You can see a 5H in vermillion in the lower right corner of this photo, next to it under the case is the date the dial was made. You may have a 6H dial, both numbers would add to this discussion. Your dial may look different than this picture but the numbers will still be there.

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Very nice find indeed, I especially like the base date! Is there a date on the housing (it would be on the front inside lip to the right)? If it dates '45 or '46, it could be an Indigo 302 like mine.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=10925.msg116750#msg116750

[DNO]

As a newby myself, Debbiedoo, I know how confusing the terminology can be.  Here's a quickie guide to the inside of the base of the 302.  I'll try to do a better one later.

[HarrySmith]

I did one also, posted it on the technical section.

[paul-f]

An important code to look for is the mounting code, which is usually stamped on the housing near the rear cord hole.  It provides a clue to what components were in the phone when it was manufactured.

For a description and list of variations in the 300-series, look here:
  http://www.paul-f.com/we300typ.htm#Markings