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
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.
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
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
Two-Step, Party-Line Switchook?
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.
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
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