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WECO 302 What Year Will I Get? Answer: 10-38

Started by Fabius, October 27, 2016, 05:23:39 PM

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What year will the 302 be?

1937
0 (0%)
1938
6 (60%)
1939
4 (40%)
1940
0 (0%)
1941
0 (0%)
Other Years
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 10

Voting closed: November 03, 2016, 05:23:39 PM

Fabius

I bought this Western Electric 302 from the Goodwill online auction site because it had the metal shell and the earlier base. I got caught up in the bidding (meaning overpaid). I wonder what year I will het?
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

TelePlay

Okay, I'll bite.

How much did you pay . . . ?  if you care to disclose.

WEBellSystemChristian

I'll say 1938.

It has the two-hump base, screwed-on feet, H1 stamping inside the housing (probably indicating late 1938), and a pronounced style line on the handset, above the groove (another later feature). It also has an early tightly curved fingerstop, probably meaning either a matching dial or earlier. Shortly after 1938, the fingerstops became less curved.
Christian Petterson

"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right" -Henry Ford

unbeldi

It was made from Fall 1938 to early (Feb/Mar) 1939, and refurbished with new cords in the 1950s.

poplar1

"C'est pas une restauration, c'est une rénovation."--François Martin.

LarryInMichigan


Fabius

Quote from: TelePlay on October 27, 2016, 05:33:13 PM
Okay, I'll bite.

How much did you pay . . . ?  if you care to disclose.

I paid about $40 plus shipping. Okay price if it turns out to be date matching 1938, not so great if it's a mix of dates.

My experience with the draft lottery had nothing to do with the NBA.
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Fabius

Got the package yesterday and opened it today. It is a 1938. In fact everything is marked 10 38 or IV 38 except the dial and dial number plate which are 1940.
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

unbeldi

#8
Quote from: Fabius on October 30, 2016, 07:58:32 PM
Got the package yesterday and opened it today. It is a 1938. In fact everything is marked 10 38 or IV 38 except the dial and dial number plate which are 1940.

Nice.
From the handset mounting cord fixtures to the user's E&M (ear and mouth) are potentially seven more dates. :-)
Since we know that the cords have been changed, it is quite possible that the handset might have been changed too, if that was done at the shops, rather than by a technician.
Is the handset handle solid or hollow with spade-tipped wires to the receiver ?

Greg G.

Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on October 27, 2016, 05:34:11 PM
I'll say 1938.

It has the two-hump base, screwed-on feet, H1 stamping inside the housing (probably indicating late 1938), and a pronounced style line on the handset, above the groove (another later feature). It also has an early tightly curved fingerstop, probably meaning either a matching dial or earlier. Shortly after 1938, the fingerstops became less curved.

These are great quick-reference guides, but how can you tell that the feet are screwed on rather than riveted by looking at it from the bottom?
The idea that a four-year degree is the only path to worthwhile knowledge is insane.
- Mike Row
e

Fabius

Quote from: unbeldi on October 30, 2016, 08:29:39 PM
Nice.
From the handset mounting cord fixtures to the user's E&M (ear and mouth) are potentially seven more dates. :-)
Since we know that the cords have been changed, it is quite possible that the handset might have been changed too, if that was done at the shops, rather than by an technician.
Is the handset handle solid or hollow with spade-tipped wires to the receiver ?

The transmitter and receiver capsules are 1938 as are both caps. The handset wires have spades and the handset appears solid.
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

poplar1

Quote from: Brinybay on October 30, 2016, 08:38:49 PM
These are great quick-reference guides, but how can you tell that the feet are screwed on rather than riveted by looking at it from the bottom?

Here is a 2-37 302 with riveted feet:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-302-1937-Orignal-Paint-First-Year-Vents-4H-dial-E1-/201699635068
"C'est pas une restauration, c'est une rénovation."--François Martin.

unbeldi

Quote from: Fabius on October 30, 2016, 09:06:06 PM
The transmitter and receiver capsules are 1938 as are both caps. The handset wires have spades and the handset appears solid.

Even better, most likely the cord got changed in the field.
Your handset is the earlier type with separate screw terminals for the handset cord.  With this phone being so complete, I would be looking for an old brown cloth cord to restore the original look. These can usually be found for perhaps $15 to $20. It might be hard to find one from 1938, most often they are from the 1940s. Sometimes you can find early 40s cords, that still have the original twill weave.