"Long Distance" ???
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=641.0;attach=3154;image (dead link, no image)
It looks like its from an independent TELCO based on the F1W dial
I don't recall seeing one of those with the words Long Distance on them. That plate is referred to as a "Rural" plate. They were in fact in rural areas where exchange names were not used, thus no need for letters---just numbers.
Me neither, I have several of the 150a's but they all say "operator"
That is an old dial card too...only 4 numbers. Did you look to see if there was another behind it???
I will when it arrives. I know those rural exchanges had low numbers. Since its from an independent, maybe it was a special order? They apparently had regular operator assisted long distance as opposed to dialing 211 for the long-distance operator as in the Bell System. Of course long distance may have been the next town over.
Rural phone number card. Many only used/needed four numbers with the small amount of customers. Plus, many were on party lines. I have several of those cards stashed around somewhere. That "long distance" under & around the 0 is interesting.
Here is a list of dial plates and corresponding #s. If anyone can add to it or sees any mistakes LMK:
132a-#2 dial numeric
132b-#2 dial alphanumeric
132e-#2 party line
147a-Pay Phone
149a-#4 dial numeric plastic covered
149b-#4 dial alphanumeric plastic covered
149e-#4 party line celluloid
150a-#5 dial numeric
150b-#5 dial alphanumeric
150d-#5 dial numeric "long distance"
150e-#5 party line
164a-#6 alphanumeric "Z" discontinued
164b-#6 ?
164c-#6 black (5302)
The mystery has been solved. The dial plate is a 150D dated II....46. It is apparently a WECO dial plate issued to independent TELCOs that did not have a long distance operator.
Very interesting. May be worth making a copy of this.
The plot thickens-here is the ringer:
I'd bet that's a frequency ringer to boot.
This is a 302, right? I've never seen a ringer even close to that in a 302.
Actually it is a 251
From paul-f.com
No ringer or Bell System markings. F1AW handset, D3AL-9 mounting cord. Has a special mount for a harmonic ringer. Typically sold to independents, who would add a straight line or party line ringer as required.
Catalog 11: " The No. 251 type Telephone Sets are intended for use in common battery manual or dial service on selective party lines using a harmonic ringer. Each set consists of a hand set, a desk type telephone set mounting, the necessary cords and wiring.
The telephone set mounting coded AB1-3 is similar to the No. H1-3 Telephone Set Mounting except that it is furnished without a ringer and is provided with a special ringer mounting for a harmonic ringer."
251AW: 82A-3 apparatus blank. 251BW: 5HA-3 dial and 59A dial adapter.
Any idea if that is a WECO ringer? It seems to fit perfectly. The tone is really nice.
The phone is functional but does not ring. Is there any way to get this to ring on a straight line?
Sargeguy;
Here is your dialface cleaned up some.
D/P
Cool!!!
I have really enjoyed this forum, and have learned alot about phones I've had for years & thought I knew. This thread is a good case & point. I bought this phone as a kid & thought I had a 302. What struck me as odd, though, was the F1W handset and the strange ringer (which had been disconnected). As I became even more familiar with the 302, I discovered some other features on this phone that are VERY different. Check the pics below against my list.
1) The porcelain dial plate is notched, but there is no part # on the inner radius, and no date stamp. Also, the red zero is large, and the "operator" designation is absent.
2) The feet are metal caps with black rubber inserts-- no felt padded suede here!
3) This shot shows the ringer detail, including the similar yet different mounting bracket.
4) This shot shows the AB-1 case stamp-- a true indication this is a model 251.
Neat. You never know what you'll find on an independent telco 251/302. Those are most likely aftermarket accessories that were cheaper than the WECO versions. Is that a straight line ringer?
Sargeguy,
I believe so. This set had the standard 195c condenser in it when I got it, but the ringer had been disconnected-- from both terminals as I recall. You can imagine the head scratching that caused a newbie, but I finally got it! I eventually disconnected the condenser leads & installed a Radio Shack 2mf condenser between K & L2--there is so much built-in resistance in the clapper pivot (notice-- no bias spring) I finally figured out the coils needed more Oomph! to overcome it!
Yo Stephen-
That's a frequency ringer used in harmonic ringing systems for party lines.
As far as I know WE never used harmonic ringing (but the independent telcos did), and in any case the coils & bells on that one do not look like anything WE ever produced. So I'm going to guess it's some kind of aftermarket adaptation, and I would expect to find a non-standard mounting of some kind on there.
What you said about the clapper pivot being stiff is also very typical of party line ringers: the pivot is actually a solid piece of metal rather than a hinge point.
And altering the capacitor can change the response of the ringer; increasing the value of the capacitor makes it more likely to ring but also draws more current and increases the ringer equivalence of that phone on a CO line.
-G.