Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Flea Market/Yard Sale/Antique Store/Thrift Store Finds => Topic started by: cchaven on May 05, 2019, 10:15:54 PM

Title: Burroughs telephone?
Post by: cchaven on May 05, 2019, 10:15:54 PM
Here's something I found in a local antique mall...the same one I have found a few other interesting bits in in years past.  It's a telephone that appears to have been mounted in a panel or wall with clips and instead of a switch hook it has a toggle switch.  The dial looks to be AE with a Kellogg dial card and the handset has a T1 transmitter dated 4/69...and what looks like a U1 receiver but isn't marked as such...it instead is marked with a 'K'.  It has a brown 8 pin socket at the top of the case, where it would've been hidden when installed.  A gray cord has been run to a 4 pin line connector.  When plugged up it transmits but doesn't appear to received when the toggle switch is flipped to the 'talk' position.  I'll have to check the wiring on the 4 pin plug.

I thought it was pretty interesting though I've not been able to come up with anything on it yet using any of the info on the tags on the back of it.  Anyone here recognize it?

Title: Re: Burroughs telephone?
Post by: rdelius on May 05, 2019, 10:25:13 PM
US Military SB 908 most likely was part of a switchboard
Title: Re: Burroughs telephone?
Post by: cchaven on May 06, 2019, 10:34:41 AM
That was one of the things I was trying to search on but didn't come up with any hits.

I did open the hinged panel.  The dial is indeed AE, with the AECO diamond logo, "Made in USA" and then "HC" ink stamped on the back of the dial.  I didn't see any dates or model designations.  There's also a 425-style network which looks like it was made by ITT based on the part number.  Again, no date.

Interestingly, also folded up inside the compartment was a hand drawn wiring diagram dated mid 1978.  It looks like it's from when it was wired to the 4 prong connector.

Kind of cool.  Not sure who made the handset as there is Velcro along the center of it to hold it to the cradle
Title: Re: Burroughs telephone?
Post by: paul-f on May 06, 2019, 01:19:55 PM
As Robbie pointed out it was ordered under a military contract, so could have gone into any form of specialized console. Chances of tracking it down on the internet by the numbers on the back are probably slim.

There are several Facebook groups for those with an interest in the Strategic Air Command and military intelligence that would be good palaces to post inquiries.