Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => Topic started by: LarryInMichigan on September 09, 2012, 02:57:30 PM

Title: Odd WE Metal Wall Phone
Post by: LarryInMichigan on September 09, 2012, 02:57:30 PM
For whatever reason, I just bought this: ebay link (http://www.ebay.com/itm/271050404475).  I have been looking for a WE 553, but they always seem to sell in the $100 neighborhood or more.  This one is strange though.  The dial is North, and the receiver looks like a Kellogg.  The hook is mounted higher than on any of the 553s that I have seen on-line, and there is a "Press to Talk" lever by the hook.  I hope that this phone is more or less a legitimate model.  Does anyone know anything about this?

Yes, the transmitter bracket looks like it is being held by one screw and rotated itself 180 deg.

Thank You

Larry


Title: Re: Odd WE Metal Wall Phone
Post by: wds on September 09, 2012, 05:23:27 PM
Obviously a WE, but with the North dial, maybe a kellogg receiver - but the oddest part is the receiver arm.  It has a lock button of some sort, and the arm itself doesn't look like a WE arm.  Must have been refurbished by a Independent phone company?  I don't have one of those in my collection, but it's certainly on my list.  You got a good price on this one.
Title: Re: Odd WE Metal Wall Phone
Post by: LarryInMichigan on September 09, 2012, 05:29:08 PM
Thank you for the information.  Unfortunately, the seller did not include pictures of the sides.  I am anxious to see the phone in person and to find out what was done to the hook switch.

Larry
Title: Re: Odd WE Metal Wall Phone
Post by: rdelius on September 09, 2012, 08:36:55 PM
Most Likely assembled by a refurbisher, possible war time.Might have been a non dial set or a subset.Look for holes in strange places
Title: Re: Odd WE Metal Wall Phone
Post by: G-Man on September 10, 2012, 04:43:09 AM
Two-Step, Party-Line Switchook?
Title: Re: Odd WE Metal Wall Phone
Post by: Sargeguy on September 13, 2012, 07:57:58 PM
I would say its a good deal, the transmitter and cone are worth at least $40 if they are complete, maybe more depending on the #.  I'd be interested to get a look inside.
Title: Re: Odd WE Metal Wall Phone
Post by: LarryInMichigan on September 13, 2012, 08:31:19 PM
It left Des Moines two days ago, so I hope that it will arrive tomorrow.  I would think that the North dial is worth $30.  Anyway, i will try to post more on this after it arrives.

Larry
Title: Re: Odd WE Metal Wall Phone
Post by: LarryInMichigan on September 15, 2012, 10:02:02 PM
The phone arrived today.  I think that the theory or a war time refurbishing of a subset may be accurate.  I do not have a real WE to compare with it, but it looks like a 634 subset which was professionally converted into a phone.  It has the hole on the upper right side like a 623 box.  I will try to post some pictures as soon as I have a chance.

Larry