Box of phone stuff

[Greg G.]

My brother just called from an automotive swap meet in Portland (OR) and said there was a box of old phone stuff for $25.  He described a handset to me by number, I googled it while he was on the phone, an MI-2040-A which I believe is a naval sound-powered handset.  The other stuff he described sounded like either a subset or a hotel phone (or both) and dials and some other stuff (it's a little difficult to ask non-collectors for specifics when they don't know what to look for or where).  Since the entire box of OPS was only $25, I just told him to grab it, I figure if it turns out to be a bust, it's not a budget-buster.  Not going to have it shipped, I'll just wait until the next time he's up here or I'm down there.  In the mean time, here's a picture of a similar handset I found online.

[NorthernElectric]

The other stuff he described sounded like either a subset or a hotel phone (or both) and dials and some other stuff (it's a little difficult to ask non-collectors for specifics when they don't know what to look for or where).

I'd be dying to know what was in the box.  If it was my brother, I'd ask him to email me some photos!   

[Greg G.]

The other stuff he described sounded like either a subset or a hotel phone (or both) and dials and some other stuff (it's a little difficult to ask non-collectors for specifics when they don't know what to look for or where).

I'd be dying to know what was in the box.  If it was my brother, I'd ask him to email me some photos!   

I did ask him, haven't seen it yet.

[baldopeacock]

  He described a handset to me by number, I googled it while he was on the phone, an MI-2040-A which I believe is a naval sound-powered handset. 

That could be broadcast equipment as well, or communications.   RCA's broadcast equipment all had MI -- numbers like that.   MI stood for "Master Item".

[Greg G.]

Here are the pics.  I thought he said there were some dials, but maybe he said "no dial" in the case. 

3 real handsets.
1 toy handset.
1 case, maybe for a 302.
1 receiver shell, no cap.
1 black coiled cord (looks like it's modular).
1 cord with a jack.

The receiver shell I can use, just need a cap.  The painted yellow handset appears to be an F1, but there's no markings on it.  The other non-painted handset doesn't have any markings either, and the receiver cap only has 4 holes.  The 302(?) shell appears to be metal.

[Greg G.]

More pics.

[WEBellSystemChristian]

The yellow painted handset looks like it's for a North Gallion. The 302 housing looks like a metal version.
You could sell most of this stuff could sell on ebay for a good amount of money.

[Sargeguy]

All that stuff has to worth at least $27.50!!!

[Greg G.]

All that stuff has to worth at least $27.50!!!

So I came out $2.50 ahead, at least it wasn't a bust.

[Sargeguy]

I figure $10 for the 302 housing, $15 for the 143AW shell, and $1 each for the other items.  So maybe a little more.  Although those sound powered handset you can't give them away in my experience.  I have a pair of WWII surplus WECO ones with cords that I was trying to unload and received no bids at $9.99.

[WEBellSystemChristian]

I figure $10 for the 302 housing, $15 for the 143AW shell, and $1 each for the other items.  So maybe a little more.  Although those sound powered handset you can't give them away in my experience.  I have a pair of WWII surplus WECO ones with cords that I was trying to unload and received no bids at $9.99.

I would probably say, in this case, the parts would be better off saving in storage than trying to sell on ebay. Better to save it and have a need for it someday than either making an incremental profit, or losing your shirt by trying to sell it all on ebay without luck (between the ebay fees, initial cost of the item and shipping charges).

[Greg G.]

The metal housing will fetch more if I clean it up and repaint it.  The whole thing was a gamble anyway, I'm not worried about it.

Do sound-powered handsets work very well as far as audio quality?

[Sargeguy]

Yes but then you need to factor in labor and materials!

Sound powered handset are like advanced tin cans on a string.  These were usually a back-up system if power was lost.  Sound quality is not that good, especially over a distance.  And you'll need two of them!

[Greg G.]

Yes but then you need to factor in labor and materials!

And if I factored in all the time spent looking for phones, it would be like the national debt, no way to dig out of it!  It's a hobby, not a business.

[compubit]

And if I factored in all the time spent looking for phones, it would be like the national debt, no way to dig out of it!  It's a hobby, not a business.

What? I started using my 401(k) to buy phones on eBay so that I could retire early!!!  Are you telling me I'm not going to make a fortune on all of the 1980s black rotary dial phones I paid $75 apiece for??

Argggghhhhhhhhhh!

;-)

Jim