What do I have?

[Jack Aman]

I bought a NOS  685A subset over the internet, and the seller unexpectedly included this apparatus in the shipment. .  I has a 485A network and a pair of enormous brass bells.   Haven't seen one of these before.  Can it be used as a subset?  I would presume when  this thing lights off it would wake the dead.

[poplar1]

This is an F1A ringer, also known as a "Bell Chime." It does not contain a speech network.

[Jack Aman]

Sorry, It has a 498A network (or something that resembles a network)  The connections are numbered as opposed to the "GN", "RR", and so on that I am used to seeing.

[Jack Aman]

Thanks for the speedy reply Poplar!  Can I use this thing?  It came with a line cord cut off and dangling free in the housing.  Red to "6" on the box, green to "4" on the box.  Am I correct in assuming this thing would ring very loudly?  The bells are about three inches acrodd, the the clapper is a stout-looking thing.

[poplar1]

The switch allows you to select Loud, soft, or chime. Line connects to 4 and 6.

[paul-f]

There's good reference info in the BSPs.

501-252-100 and 501-252-400.

For example:
  http://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/document-repository/doc_details/10422-501-252-100-i7-aug65-f1a-ringer