eBay item number:
233341824032
Sold last evening for $1350.00
Zapper
I give up. How do you search a auction number on eBay? 15 minutes of trying. A link is just so much easier. How do your search this number on eBay?
You search for an item no. by copying it into the normal eBay search frame. But this only works for active sales, not expired like this one! Learned this recently...
If zapper still has a link to the item, this would work.
Listing was active for just over two hours and received 47 views before selling.
Buy It Now. $1350.00.
Screenshot from listing:
ETA: Link below from tubaman.
Here's the link - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-RARE-CLEAR-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-MODEL-500-ROTARY-TELEPHONE-DATED-1949/233341824032
( dead link 04-09-21 ) - $1350 Buy It Now.
The case does indeed appear to date from 1949 as per attached photo.
If a listing has completed then search for the listing number and then check the 'Completed Listing' box on the left .
:)
Thanks for the Link. I did not see this on eBay. Was it a BIN? I can never tell. What a fantastic find! Is this the earliest known 500 set date?.....Doug
Quote from: Doug Rose on September 15, 2019, 11:59:23 AM
Thanks for the Link. I did not see this on eBay. Was it a BIN? I can never tell. What a fantastic find! Is this the earliest known 500 set date?.....Doug
Doug, yes looks like it was a BIN.
:)
The listing originally was an auction $399.00 opening bid. The seller apparently received an offer for the $1350.00 and changed the listing to Buy It Now
Was going to ask the seller to remove the cover and see if the dates matched. The number card is newer dial look worn, and the cords also look newer.
It has a coiled handset cord, which they didn't offer in 1949 on the 500 sets.
Quote from: andre_janew on September 15, 2019, 12:32:43 PM
It has a coiled handset cord, which they didn't offer in 1949 on the 500 sets.
Indeed, it also has a 425B network and no sign of the separate 311A equaliser that the early sets had I believe.
I've a nasty feeling the only possibly 1949 bit is the case and the buyer will be very unhappy.
:(
For completed listings : copy the listing number into the search box, and go to the left side of the page and put a check mark in the box labeled "Completed Listings" and hit search.
Jeff Lamb
It does have the right dial bracket for an early 500.
Quote from: tubaman on September 15, 2019, 12:45:03 PM
Indeed, it also has a 425B network and no sign of the separate 311A equaliser that the early sets had I believe.
I've a nasty feeling the only possibly 1949 bit is the case and the buyer will be very unhappy.
Centre holes in handset caps too, however the 'operator' on the dial bezel looks like the early small font, with the zero above the letter 'p'. Or should that be the curved 'operator' if it's a 1949 model?
Quote from: david@london on September 15, 2019, 01:17:24 PM
Centre holes in handset caps too, however the 'operator' on the dial bezel looks like the early small font, with the zero above the letter 'e'.
Hmm, that is different - I assume you mean 'the zero above the p' as all my later 500 sets have it above the 'e'?
Somehow it's just not all adding up.
:)
Woops.....yes I did mean P. Thanks.
Have corrected that.
You search for an item no. by copying it into the normal eBay search frame.For info, it's also work for any sold listing but you have to select sold item on the right side of the page before...
Daniel
The handset was made after 1959 for sure... you can see the fabrication date in a circle molded in the plastic on the handset top... also the hole in the center of each cap...Daniel
Don't all the clear dial bezels have the small "OPERATOR"? At least, the ones I've seen photos of do. It's as if W.E. kept the old bezel mold around just for this very purpose.
The base has the three-point dial bracket, so it could be a '49 base that was converted to a 500D as early sets often were. But why would a clear set be refurbished? Or were these placed in service back in the day like any ordinary set?
By the way, a simple way to pull up any eBay listing by item number is to pull up an existing item page with a URL like the following:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/233341824032
and replace the item number with the desired one in your browser's address bar. Alternatively, go to the eBay home page and append itm/ and the item number to the URL.
No need to futz around with the eBay search function.
I saw that online, nice piece.
On my 1958 WE 500 clear the the 0 is over the p.
Also the handset logo on the eBay one is Bell System and mine is Western Electric.
My handset caps have no center holes.
Quote from: Duffy on September 15, 2019, 05:37:16 PM
On my 1958 WE 500 clear the the 0 is over the p.
Also the handset logo on the eBay one is Bell System and mine is Western Electric.
My handset caps have no center holes.
WE G-type handsets were not marked "Bell System" until about 1968, when the "Bell System Property -- Not For Sale" logo was added to handsets WE sold to the Bell operating companies. So the clear handset on Ebay is most likely 1968-1973.
Quote from: david@london on September 15, 2019, 01:17:24 PM
Centre holes in handset caps too, however the 'operator' on the dial bezel looks like the early small font, with the zero above the letter 'p'. Or should that be the curved 'operator' if it's a 1949 model?
Quote from: loblolly986 on September 15, 2019, 04:41:22 PM
Don't all the clear dial bezels have the small "OPERATOR"?
The small "operator" dial rings are early. On early sets the dial rings were back-painted . The alpha/numeric's would get painted white or black, and the rest of the ring would be painted to match the phone.
The small operator font also shows up a lot on special finish sets, since it cam be back-painted to match.
Most of the early clear bezels have back painted a/n the 500 sets from the 70's have a full clear dial ring
Jim
After having looked at literally thousands of photos of 1949 and older WE500'S, In my opinion, the only thing 1949 is the date stamp on the shell. Nothing is period correct for a 1949-500.
On the first page of the link below you can see a few photos of early 500's. More are located throughout the thread.
The thread is located in the Collectors corner, under the name, "Now the story can be told" I can't copy and paste a link because it leaves my account open.
BTW, I WANT TO ONCE AGAIN THANK JIM FOR THE SHELL TO MY PHONE HE DONATED IT TO ME.
D/P
@Dan/Panther, I'm not sure what issue you are having with links, but if others haven't read the brilliant thread about your 1949 set it's here - http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2394.0
:)
Quote from: Dan/Panther on September 17, 2019, 12:38:23 AM
In my opinion, the only thing 1949 is the date stamp on the shell. Nothing is period correct for a 1949-500.
BTW, I WANT TO ONCE AGAIN THANK JIM FOR THE SHELL TO MY PHONE HE DONATED IT TO ME.
D/P
I agree with Dan regarding this phone. If the dated plastic is correct, then someone swapped out everything else. The other option is someone back dated the stamp on the housing.
Jim
Your welcome regarding the housing D/P
How would you backdate the stamp on the cover?
Zapper
Sent a message to the seller:
Good Morning,
When you have the time can you tell me where you acquired this phone. The phone has become a topic of discussion on a phone website I belong to. The cover is the only part with a 49 date. The handset and cords are probably 60s-70's the pictures where we can see the inside show a missing equalizer that was on 49-50 phones. Since you in N.J. its possible the phone came from a Bell Labs employee who put it together with various newer parts.
Sellers response:
Hi we got the phone from a estate of a rocket scientist in Hacketstown NJ. The mouthpiece inside had a date of Dec 1949. We did not take the phone apart any further. Thanks for your interest.
Zapper
Zapper, Online there is a service that fabricates rubber stamps.
In fact I think somewhere I have a couple of the stamps. One is the "Loud" with the arrow, and the "C/D 500" When you do a complete restoration the stamps help to retain the graphics wiped away by the process. You send a photo or drawing of what you want, and the size. For about 8-10 bucks. Then all you would need is the Vermilion paint.
Tubaman, if I copy the link, it copies my online open status.
D/P
Quote from: Dan/Panther on September 17, 2019, 12:46:37 PM
....
Tubaman, if I copy the link, it copies my online open status.
D/P
@D/P, afraid I'm still confused. A link is just text with HTML tags at each end. What are you worried about being exposed by that?
:)
When I copy a link, it copies the page as It is on my screen, that shows up as me on line and others can access my page.
Copy the URL at the top of the page you are current on, open another window and past the link. Then you will see what I mean.
Whether others can actually access my information or change anything, I would rather not chance it as the ability to edit all posts would be avaialble.
D/P
Quote from: Dan/Panther on September 17, 2019, 03:38:03 PM
When I copy a link, it copies the page as It is on my screen, that shows up as me on line and others can access my page.
Copy the URL at the top of the page you are current on, open another window and past the link. Then you will see what I mean.
Whether others can actually access my information or change anything, I would rather not chance it as the ability to edit all posts would be avaialble.
D/P
@D/P, That is happening because your browser remembers your forum login details.
For example, I use Chrome as my browser of choice and when I first logged into the forum I checked the "remember me on this computer" (or words to that effect) box so that each time I open the forum I am logged-in and ready to go.
If I go to the forum in another browser (eg Internet Explorer), where I have not previously logged in, it shows me as a Guest user, and this is what will happen with any link you use. It really is perfectly safe.
:)
Tubaman;
Thank you for the information. I guess I'm just overly cautious.
I use Firefox as my primary browser. My internet Explorer has stopped working, So I don't have an alternative Browser installed. Yes I do save my Website log-in data in my computer, I have perhaps 100 plus user names and passwords. No way to recall them all.
I'm about due for a new computer, as this one is getting very slow, so at that point I can use the method you suggested.
Thanks for input. I appreciate it.
What I really wish someone would come up with is, a program that actually finds and fixes viruses. I have had computers since VIC-20, 1979, and not one Virus program has EVER prevented viruses, or cleaned up a computer and made it better. They are a JOKE.
If anyone knows of anything like that PLEASE let me know.
D/P
Malwayrebytes has always been pretty good for malware removal and repair. Removal is still in the free version last I knew. In terms of detection it can be hit or miss, but the copy of Defender build into Windows these days does a good enough job that I don't bother with anything else (Security Essentials is the version for Win7, but with end of life coming at the end of the year I'd urge an upgrade to Windows 10). For general maintenance of the PC just being careful and deliberate in what you install is really all you can do
I used McAfee for years until it was no longer included in my FIOs price, I had no issues. All the techs at work use Defender and say it's great. I am now using Webroot. Jan got at Best Buy when she purchased a new computer....Doug
Defender keeps popping up. I'm going to have to look further into it.
D/P
Meanwhile, has anyone noticed that this phone has the 3-point dial bracket?
Quote from: andre_janew on September 20, 2019, 08:58:57 PM
Meanwhile, has anyone noticed that this phone has the 3-point dial bracket?
Yup, can be see from this view.
The newest base to have such a bracket would be dated 3-55.
Quote from: andre_janew on September 20, 2019, 09:18:47 PM
The newest base to have such a bracket would be dated 3-55.
So what you are saying is that that bracket belongs to a base dated after 3-55?
No, probably 3-55 or earlier.
The eBay feedback left for the sale of "Nice Item, Professional Packing, Honest Seller!! - Thank you!" (my italics) makes me wonder if a refund of some sort has been made.
Maybe he got a partial refund for it at least. It was a clear phone, but not a dates matching clear phone.
Quote from: andre_janew on September 21, 2019, 05:35:18 PM
Maybe he got a partial refund for it at least. It was a clear phone, but not a dates matching clear phone.
If the housing date is real, then it is a VERY valuable housing. But that is just the housing, and that is if the date stamp is real.
JMO,
Jim
Phone was a steal at 1350.00.
the 'operator' on the dial bezel looks like the early small font, with the zero above the letter 'p'. Or should that be the curved 'operator' if it's a 1949 model?
[/quote]
My opinion is the clear dials with small operator font were typically used on custom finish sets. I think they made an inventory of the dial plates , and then used them till they were out. The later clear dial plates had operator in the standard font.
I lean towards the 1949 portion of the date stamp is either the housing date , or just an added date stamp. If the housing date is a true date , then this might be the first 500 housing off the production line.
<edit> the second housing off the production line was probably black and was the first production set. if so 3/17/49 was possibly the start of production 500 sets.<edit>
Just some speculations,
Jim
I don't think this is a real 49er. It is probably somewhere between 50 and January 55.
I think we can narrow that down a bit more as it has a 425B network.
Not only does this have the later caps with the center holes and the 425B network, it also has a later ringer. You can tell by the adjuster. I think somebody just got had.