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Western Electric B1 weekend find

Started by Mike C, October 05, 2014, 09:28:17 AM

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unbeldi

Quote from: poplar1 on October 07, 2014, 11:17:10 PM

Greg, I'm not sure what year WE started making 51ALs--some say 1927--, but most 50ALs I've found with original dials have the dates on the rim of the dial, and most 51ALs with original dials have the patent dates on the back of the dial. Both 51ALs and B1s were made in 1928-1930, but WE didn't start stamping the date on the inside of the bases until 1929.

The period 1924 to 1925 is likely the start for 51AL stands; the 1927 date is too late. Spec 4566 of 2-26 already has the No. 51 desk stands. Instead, 1927 appears as the year for the introduction of the No. 52 desk stand. It would be interesting to find a copy of Spec 4160 to understand why it was replaced by 4566. Was it the introduction of the No. 51?

Sargeguy

Here is a picture of the back of my 2HB, which was found on a B-1:
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

unbeldi

Quote from: Sargeguy on October 08, 2014, 09:41:58 AM
Here is a picture of the back of my 2HB, which was found on a B-1:

As you can see, your dial has "two" W terminals, which means that the switch assembly was replaced and the dial was originally an A-type. They just didn't relabel it.

poplar1

#18
B1s, 51ALs and dials were dated starting in early 1929. All the 1929-1930 dials I've seen did not have patent dates on the rim. The only way I can think of to date a  51AL or 2-type dial earlier than 1929 is on an all original phone: The transmitters were dated at least by 1926. First year (1928) B1s have holes rather than notches for the cord stays.

An unscientific count shows 8:2 for marked vs. unmarked rims on 50ALs, 1:3 for 51ALs, and 1:4 for B1Bs. (The one B1 with dates on rim of dial is an all original 1928.)

The earliest 2A dials have plain rims and unmarked finger stops. (There are no patent dates on the rim or on the back.) "2A" is stamped in the metal case, next to the governor.

The next ones had Western Electric and Pat. App. For on the rim. Then the ones with patent dates on the rim. And the last ones had plain rim and patent info. moved to the back.

I don't believe that the notched 132-style plates (with pins on the back) were ever furnished on new 2-type dials. These plates were used on 4H dials from 1930-1934, and on remanufactured 2-type dials by 1932 or earlier.   
"C'est pas une restauration, c'est une rénovation."--François Martin.

unbeldi

Quote from: poplar1 on October 08, 2014, 11:52:11 AM
B1s, 51ALs and dials were dated starting in early 1929.

Somehow this does seem like the time frame for more systematic dating.  For example, the only No. 46B induction coil that I have and that is dated, is marked 3-29 in vermillion ink.