Hi guys, I picked this up over the last weekend after a long time search for a reasonably priced unit. I would like to know anything anyone would be willing to tell me about it as long as value isnt part of the subject. I like and collect old things cause I like them and am not interested in value.
I have since purchase been in contact with a phone expert and he said ...........What you have is an American Electric wall phone. Looks to be all original from what I can see. It has the A.E. badge transmitter arm and badge name tag. That tag was used on most all of the phones that A.E. put out. It also has the hard to find round bar American Electric magneto and correct receiver. The date of manufacture might be on the paper label on the inside of the door, but I think it came out in the early 1900's. It's hard to put an exact date on any phone. In the early days of telephony the phones were made more ornately, but as the years went on they started to become more and more plain. The one you have is called a pfpt, (plain front, plain top) phone......................
I dont know what a badge transmitter arm is, he mentioned ( unless I misunderstood ) that the phone was likely manufactured prior to 29 cause during that time Western Electric was bought out and the name badges would have changed??
I would like to first pinpoint to the best of my ability date of manufacture, I would think there would be some way of narrowing things down a bit at least. I am interested in any company history, computers are not my strong point and doing google searches havent rendered me a whole lot.
My ultimate goal with the phone is too make it a worker without modifying the phone in any way if possible. I like original stuff. If that cannot be accomplished than it will hang on the wall as is.
The badge refers to the badge/shield shape at the base of the arm that holds the transmitter. American Electric became Automatic Electric about 1920 I think. This phone looks like it dates from about 1908-1915. I do not know that much about AE phones but I think this phone can be used either as a "Common Battery" or "Local Battery Type" depending upon how it is wired. It should not be possible to get it working. Do you have any more pictures of the phones interior wiring?
Quote from: Sargeguy on February 26, 2014, 07:21:28 PM
The badge refers to the badge/shield shape at the base of the arm that holds the transmitter. American Electric became Automatic Electric about 1920 I think. This phone looks like it dates from about 1908-1915. I do not know that much about AE phones but I think this phone can be used either as a "Common Battery" or "Local Battery Type" depending upon how it is wired. It should not be possible to get it working. Do you have any more pictures of the phones interior wiring?
Yes, I can post as many pictures as needed, any suggestions though on where I can find company history? I would like to date the phone closer and more definitively before I consider working toward the possibility of making it operational.
You say it should not be possible to get it working and thats OK, I was told it prob. would not be that big a deal from another guy but again I would like to learn more about the company history and am assuming thats not lost history.
Doing a search on this forum and google for Western Electric wall phone is giving me many results, plastic phones and all sorts of un-related stuff.
Quote from: 1930 on February 27, 2014, 05:43:29 AM
Quote from: Sargeguy on February 26, 2014, 07:21:28 PM
The badge refers to the badge/shield shape at the base of the arm that holds the transmitter. American Electric became Automatic Electric about 1920 I think. This phone looks like it dates from about 1908-1915. I do not know that much about AE phones but I think this phone can be used either as a "Common Battery" or "Local Battery Type" depending upon how it is wired. It should not be possible to get it working. Do you have any more pictures of the phones interior wiring?
Yes, I can post as many pictures as needed, any suggestions though on where I can find company history? I would like to date the phone closer and more definitively before I consider working toward the possibility of making it operational.
You say it should not be possible to get it working and thats OK, I was told it prob. would not be that big a deal from another guy but again I would like to learn more about the company history and am assuming thats not lost history.
Doing a search on this forum and google for Western Electric wall phone is giving me many results, plastic phones and all sorts of un-related stuff.
Your instruments predates both American Electric catalogs in the TCI Library. One was issued in 1929 and the other is undated but appears as if it was printed a few years earlier. However similar sets that are shown in both of them have concealed bells and the 1929 catalog has a bulldog transmitter.
And of course, Western Electric had nothing to do with your set and in order to avoid confusion, even though Automatic Electric eventually took American Electric over, it would be more appropriate to not refer to Am. Elec. by the A.E. initials since most collectors associate them with Automatic Electric.
I'm sorry, I meant that it should be possible to get it working, I had edited it from "not too difficult" and left the "not" in. (I have to stop posting using my iPhone, it gets me into trouble). DO the bells ring when you turn the magneto handle?
It can be tricky to narrow down wood wall phones to an exact date, especially without catalogs or advertisements to refer to. Sometimes the best you can do is the right decade. Are there any patent dates on any of the parts? If you add 17 to the earliest and latest patent dates that can give you the range. For example if you had a date of 1892 on the magneto and a date of 1904 on the hookswitch, the range of your instrument would be 1904-1909. Another method is to search old issues of Telephony and Telephone Journal on Google Books for ads featuring your phone.
Quote from: 1930 on February 27, 2014, 05:43:29 AM
Quote from: Sargeguy on February 26, 2014, 07:21:28 PM
The badge refers to the badge/shield shape at the base of the arm that holds the transmitter. American Electric became Automatic Electric about 1920 I think. This phone looks like it dates from about 1908-1915. I do not know that much about AE phones but I think this phone can be used either as a "Common Battery" or "Local Battery Type" depending upon how it is wired. It should not be possible to get it working. Do you have any more pictures of the phones interior wiring?
Yes, I can post as many pictures as needed, any suggestions though on where I can find company history? I would like to date the phone closer and more definitively before I consider working toward the possibility of making it operational.
You say it should not be possible to get it working and thats OK, I was told it prob. would not be that big a deal from another guy but again I would like to learn more about the company history and am assuming thats not lost history.
Doing a search on this forum and google for Western Electric wall phone is giving me many results, plastic phones and all sorts of un-related stuff.
I would rely on Greg since he is more knowledgeable about instruments in this category so if he is stumped and no-one else steps up to the plate, then his suggestion regarding online research is best.
Another option is to ask around on some of the other telephone collecting list.
But either way please don't include "Western Electric" in the search string.
QuoteBut either way please don't include "Western Electric" in the search string.
I changed the title of the topic.
1930,
Welcome to the Forum. SWEET find!!!!!!! I don't have any info to date this phone but you could look at the insides of the transmitter, sometimes they were stamped. By all means post inside pics of this phone!! stub
Quote from: G-Man on February 27, 2014, 06:50:29 AM
Your instruments predates both American Electric catalogs in the TCI Library. One was issued in 1929 and the other is undated but appears as if it was printed a few years earlier. However similar sets that are shown in both of them have concealed bells and the 1929 catalog has a bulldog transmitter.
And of course, Western Electric had nothing to do with your set and in order to avoid confusion, even though Automatic Electric eventually took American Electric over, it would be more appropriate to not refer to Am. Elec. by the A.E. initials since most collectors associate them with Automatic Electric.
Thanks G-man, can you tell me when Automatic Electric took over American Electric. Might it have been 1929?
Quote from: Sargeguy on February 27, 2014, 08:04:02 AM
I'm sorry, I meant that it should be possible to get it working, I had edited it from "not too difficult" and left the "not" in. (I have to stop posting using my iPhone, it gets me into trouble). DO the bells ring when you turn the magneto handle?
It can be tricky to narrow down wood wall phones to an exact date, especially without catalogs or advertisements to refer to. Sometimes the best you can do is the right decade. Are there any patent dates on any of the parts? If you add 17 to the earliest and latest patent dates that can give you the range. For example if you had a date of 1892 on the magneto and a date of 1904 on the hookswitch, the range of your instrument would be 1904-1909. Another method is to search old issues of Telephony and Telephone Journal on Google Books for ads featuring your phone.
I understand, an exact date may be out of the question but maybe within a few years would be possible?
I have not looked at any of the parts to closely, I have not moved it since I have set it down, not in a rush and am hoping that I can learn some things before I start fiddling with it. I do know what the magneto is but dont know what the kook switch might be, do you have any sort of diagram that might show me the various parts?
The words collecting list has been mentioned to me but I have no idea what this is so what is............ some of the other telephone collecting list.............is this another way of saying on-line forums? If so what other forums are avail to me?
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 01:29:39 AM
1930,
Welcome to the Forum. SWEET find!!!!!!! I don't have any info to date this phone but you could look at the insides of the transmitter, sometimes they were stamped. By all means post inside pics of this phone!! stub
I really like the phone in your avatar. I feel drawn toward telephones, dont know why but I may just become a collector.
Here are some more pictures.........
I dont know what this is called, I do know that it passes thru the hole in the front of the cabinet and rings the bell, I also know that I am missing the original ( what I am assuming were panhead ) screws.
I know it sounds silly but I would really need to find two correct vintage slotted panhead screws for this telephone, if anyone could help I would re-imburse time and postage.
I have not really turned the crank yet, I do not want to damage anything, I do know it turns, I have wiggled it around a bit and I think that the little ball on the end moves a bit but again I didnt want to damage anything. Also can I become shocked from the magneto, I know very little about these things.
I dont know what these are, maybe where the outside electric came into the phone?
Looks like there was at one time a paper plaque on the rear but long gone
This has been buggin me since purchase, did this phone originally have batteries, I am assuming this is what went down here.
Are they still avail, I understand that they would be useless and only for show but I NEED to find a set. What might they look like? I have read somewhere that there is a print avail on-line somewhere that I can copy and paste to my computer. It is an identical example of an old battery label. Would that help me?
Why batteries? How did these phones originally work mechanically?
I know the deal in the rear in the mag. Not sure what else things are?
Receiver?
I pulled the cap off the end, brass deal in there, looks complete, I dont see any obvious missing parts not that I know what I am looking at.
1930,
Here's all I could find on your phone. stub left click on pic to enlarge it.
"Form 43B 5M 12-17"---does that mean 5,000 copies were printed in December 1917?
1930,
You can find batteries on e-bay sometimes. stub
David, I don't have a clue! stub
A standard 6-volt battery would work, even if it wouldn't look authentic.
I didn't notice a mention in this thread that this phone was designed for local battery service, so to be useful as it is, it needs to be connected to other LB phones.
Larry
Didn't Keystone have these made for them by Am. E ? stub
So it looks as if this model, unlike the Western Electric equivalent 317, is local battery only.
- The terminals on the top hold fuses, they are a lightning arrestor that protects the phone (and person speaking on it) from electrocal damage if lightning strikes the telephone wires
- The two coils that ring the bell are called a ringer
- The thing in front of the magneto is the hookswitch
- Replica batteries that use D-Cells are available on eBay in telephone>pre-1940 secTION
- Batteries provided the current necessary to carry sound over wires, they were either inside the phone (local) or at the Central Office (common)
- You should be able to crank the magneto without doing any damage. It should ring the ringer.
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 08:15:58 AM
1930,
Here's all I could find on your phone. stub left click on pic to enlarge it.
Thanks very much, is that specific to my phone? How did you find it? I do not see any notations on document that give any references so that is why I ask.
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 10:44:34 AM
1930,
You can find batteries on e-bay sometimes. stub
David, I don't have a clue! stub
Would you happen to have a picture of a real live battery. Id like to find a set if possible. Are the batteries necessary for phone operation and why?
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on February 28, 2014, 10:49:08 AM
A standard 6-volt battery would work, even if it wouldn't look authentic.
I didn't notice a mention in this thread that this phone was designed for local battery service, so to be useful as it is, it needs to be connected to other LB phones.
Larry
Thanks Larry but what do you mean by local battery service and is it safe to assume LB means Local battery.
Can you elaborate on making it more useful?
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 11:02:45 AM
Didn't Keystone have these made for them by Am. E ? stub
What is Keystone?
Quote from: Sargeguy on February 28, 2014, 01:00:36 PM
So it looks as if this model, unlike the Western Electric equivalent 317, is local battery only.
- The terminals on the top hold fuses, they are a lightning arrestor that protects the phone (and person speaking on it) from electrocal damage if lightning strikes the telephone wires
- The two coils that ring the bell are called a ringer
- The thing in front of the magneto is the hookswitch
- Replica batteries that use D-Cells are available on eBay in telephone>pre-1940 secTION
- Batteries provided the current necessary to carry sound over wires, they were either inside the phone (local) or at the Central Office (common)
- You should be able to crank the magneto without doing any damage. It should ring the ringer.
The terminals on the top hold fuses, they are a lightning arrestor that protects the phone (and person speaking on it) from electrocal damage if lightning strikes the telephone wires Got it, will these need to be used still
The two coils that ring the bell are called a ringer ................Ok so I have Bells and a Ringer
The thing in front of the magneto is the hookswitch...................... Makes sense, so than that contraptions is called the hook
Replica batteries that use D-Cells are available on eBay in telephone>pre-1940 secTION ........................Like to find a color picture of the correct original batteries so that I can find as close as possible duplicates
Batteries provided the current necessary to carry sound over wires, they were either inside the phone (local) or at the Central Office (common) .....................Great so how do they fit in today with my plans of hopefully being able to use this phone?
You should be able to crank the magneto without doing any damage. It should ring the ringer. .............But how about damage to myself, is there any one area I need to not be touching while cranking. I know an automotive magneto will provide quite a shock
The photo shows what is most likely a slightly older version of your set.
While "close" some of the differences include the use of the hinges for part of the electrical circuit and the line terminals are located within the set unlike yours which connect the outside line via exposed binding post. Also, the induction coil is mounted in a slightly different location.
The [local] batteries are used to power the transmitter and should not exceed 3-volts so as not to "fry" it.
If you want to use your set on a modern common battery line, some modifications will be necessary.
IIRC, Keystone was another telephone manufacturer/assembler that used parts made by American and was eventually absorbed by them.
Rechecking the images I see where I transposed my comments regarding the hinges; it appears that part of the circuit on your set is carried through them while the diagram posted by Stub shows discrete wiring. This would possibly indicate that your set is of a slightly older vintage.
Also, while not deadly, yes you can receive an annoying shock from the magneto if you touch an exposed wire or connected metal surface while cranking it.
While I don't recall ever seeing fuses on wood wall sets you may want to double check the binding post to see if they are there.
Quote from: G-Man on March 01, 2014, 09:00:51 AM
The photo shows what is most likely a slightly older version of your set.
While “close” some of the differences include the use of the hinges for part of the electrical circuit and the line terminals are located within the set unlike yours which connect the outside line via exposed binding post. Also, the induction coil is mounted in a slightly different location.
The [local] batteries are used to power the transmitter and should not exceed 3-volts so as not to “fry” it.
If you want to use your set on a modern common battery line, some modifications will be necessary.
IIRC, Keystone was another telephone manufacturer/assembler that used parts made by American and was eventually absorbed by them.
Quote from: 1930 on March 01, 2014, 07:07:00 AM
Quote from: Sargeguy on February 28, 2014, 01:00:36 PM
So it looks as if this model, unlike the Western Electric equivalent 317, is local battery only.
- The terminals on the top hold fuses, they are a lightning arrestor that protects the phone (and person speaking on it) from electrocal damage if lightning strikes the telephone wires
- The two coils that ring the bell are called a ringer
- The thing in front of the magneto is the hookswitch
- Replica batteries that use D-Cells are available on eBay in telephone>pre-1940 secTION
- Batteries provided the current necessary to carry sound over wires, they were either inside the phone (local) or at the Central Office (common)
- You should be able to crank the magneto without doing any damage. It should ring the ringer.
The terminals on the top hold fuses, they are a lightning arrestor that protects the phone (and person speaking on it) from electrocal damage if lightning strikes the telephone wires Got it, will these need to be used still
The two coils that ring the bell are called a ringer ................Ok so I have Bells and a Ringer
The thing in front of the magneto is the hookswitch...................... Makes sense, so than that contraptions is called the hook
Replica batteries that use D-Cells are available on eBay in telephone>pre-1940 secTION ........................Like to find a color picture of the correct original batteries so that I can find as close as possible duplicates
Batteries provided the current necessary to carry sound over wires, they were either inside the phone (local) or at the Central Office (common) .....................Great so how do they fit in today with my plans of hopefully being able to use this phone?
You should be able to crank the magneto without doing any damage. It should ring the ringer. .............But how about damage to myself, is there any one area I need to not be touching while cranking. I know an automotive magneto will provide quite a shock
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 08:15:58 AMHere's all I could find on your phone. Left click on pic to enlarge it.
Not meaning to hijack the thread, but how did you post the pic to enable not just one, but two levels of magnification? When I post a pic, it is what it is, and that's all it is. Your magnify-able pic is a much better way of doing it.
Bill
Bill,
I don't have a clue, mine have always been like that. I found out by accident. I take a regular pic ,and don't try to resize it, and let the Forum software take care of it. stub
Quote from: 1930 on March 01, 2014, 06:54:31 AM
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 10:44:34 AM
1930,
You can find batteries on e-bay sometimes. stub
David, I don't have a clue! stub
Would you happen to have a picture of a real live battery. Id like to find a set if possible. Are the batteries necessary for phone operation and why?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201044482994
Seller says they were installed 12-2-21.
The batteries complete a circuit through the transmitter, hook switch and the primary of the induction coil. They aren't necessary for hearing the other party but rather for your own transmitter.
Just FYI, there are a lot good scans of old-fashioned dry cell battery labels on line. New drycell batteries are available, and you can print out an "old" label and paste it on the new battery if you are looking for an authentic appearance.
Here's an example of label scans. There are many others - Google "dry cell battery label scan" or something similar.
http://www.crystalradio.net/misc/batteries/index.shtml
Bill
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 11:02:45 AM
Didn't Keystone have these made for them by Am. E ? stub
I had forgotten that but I think you are correct Stub. Keystone Electric was another manufacturer of telephones though I don't know for sure if they made some of their own phones or just rebranded other manufacturers phones.
1930: Did your receiver have a round thin metal disc inside just behind the receiver cap? You remove the cap and then slide the disc (usually black) off to the side as it is held on magnetically. Then you would see the frequently brass Colored metal and magnet/coils etc.
Terry
Quote from: G-Man on March 01, 2014, 09:15:20 AM
Rechecking the images I see where I transposed my comments regarding the hinges; it appears that part of the circuit on your set is carried through them while the diagram posted by Stub shows discrete wiring. This would possibly indicate that your set is of a slightly older vintage.
Also, while not deadly, yes you can receive an annoying shock from the magneto if you touch an exposed wire or connected metal surface while cranking it.
While I don't recall ever seeing fuses on wood wall sets you may want to double check the binding post to see if they are there.
Not sure which picture you are referring to but on my set there are no wires that pass thru the hinges assuming you mean the hinges that separate the faceboard from the rest of the box.
Thats what I though on the mag, thanks for the warning. BTW the little dinger does move when I turn the handle.
Not clear on what you are mentioning here...........While I don't recall ever seeing fuses on wood wall sets you may want to double check the binding post to see if they are there...........
I have two fuses on the top of the box.
Quote from: poplar1 on March 01, 2014, 09:12:15 PM
Quote from: 1930 on March 01, 2014, 06:54:31 AM
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 10:44:34 AM
1930,
You can find batteries on e-bay sometimes. stub
David, I don't have a clue! stub
Would you happen to have a picture of a real live battery. Id like to find a set if possible. Are the batteries necessary for phone operation and why?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201044482994
Seller says they were installed 12-2-21.
The batteries complete a circuit through the transmitter, hook switch and the primary of the induction coil. They aren't necessary for hearing the other party but rather for your own transmitter.
Thanks those are neat. At least I can find a label now hopefully since I know what to look for
Quote from: Bill on March 02, 2014, 01:10:24 PM
Just FYI, there are a lot good scans of old-fashioned dry cell battery labels on line. New drycell batteries are available, and you can print out an "old" label and paste it on the new battery if you are looking for an authentic appearance.
Here's an example of label scans. There are many others - Google "dry cell battery label scan" or something similar.
http://www.crystalradio.net/misc/batteries/index.shtml
Bill
Thanks Bill, Im gonna check into this
Quote from: AE_Collector on March 02, 2014, 02:00:12 PM
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 11:02:45 AM
Didn't Keystone have these made for them by Am. E ? stub
I had forgotten that but I think you are correct Stub. Keystone Electric was another manufacturer of telephones though I don't know for sure if they made some of their own phones or just rebranded other manufacturers phones.
1930: Did your receiver have a round thin metal disc inside just behind the receiver cap? You remove the cap and then slide the disc (usually black) off to the side as it is held on magnetically. Then you would see the frequently brass Colored metal and magnet/coils etc.
Terry
Hi Terry, I hope I am understanding you correctly and am showing you the parts you are asking about.
Is it safe to assume that you collect Automatic Electric telephones hence you A.E screen-name?
I am asking because I am getting no-where with company history for the phone, I am confused I guess.
I was told that American Electric was sold to someone else at about 1929 or so if I remember correctly and yet I am seeing American Electric telephones up to at least the 40s on an E-bay search?
Anyway if you need more pics let me know. Receive appears to be bakelite but just a guess.
Can someone tell me what I am missing here, pictures would be better.
I would like to attach this ringer deal but there has to be something in between the wood and the steel mounting plate?
Quote from: 1930 on March 02, 2014, 05:08:18 PM
[snip] Receive[r] appears to be bakelite but just a guess.
Receiver is a later version (probably 1940s) capsule type. It uses the same receiver unit as an AE 41 handset.
1930,
Receiver is a Automatic Electric type 42 an goes on a Automatic Electric 42 phone (1st pic) and the 41 handset as David stated.This type of receiver is first shown in the AE 4055 C Catalog, 6 - 1940, pg. 18 .
You will need 2 small thin wood spacers to clear the magnet and some short screws to mount the ringer .
I used the Columbia labels for my batteries that I got from the same site that Bill posted. stub
Wrong receiver, interesting, can someone show me what the original receiver would have looked like?
I guess there is a possibility than that the phone was still in service in the 40s.
Maybe I am misunderstanding. Is it being said that the entire deal I would hold to my ear is incorrect/not original or is it the parts within this deal....just for clarification.
Like I had mentioned in my first post a phone expert ( Jerry in Kansas if memory serves me ) said that the receiver was original so I am assuming you guys are referring to the innards parts/pieces.
1930,
You will have to replace the whole receiver with a polarized receiver. Your shell won't hold the correct guts. Here's my Am.E receiver- stub
Yes the receiver is a newer replacement but at least it is an AE. Notice the round black disc in Stub's picture.
I will get you the info on American Electric being merged into Automatic Electric. I meant to but forgot.
Terry
Another member and you are calling them fuses however I don't recall seeing fuses equipped on a wall set and we never stocked replacement fuses for our repairmen.
However perhaps American Electric manufactured a few models equipped with them.
Please take a close-up photo and also see if you can tell how many amps they are rated at.
Otherwise I suspect they are standard binding posts that are used to connect the telephone line.
Monarch Telephone Manufacturing Company and the American Electric Company merged into a new entity named American Electric Co., Inc. I seem to recall that that Peter Burns headed the new concern and also once associated with the Victor Telephone manufacturing concern.
It was then purchased by the Automatic Electric Company where it continued to exist as a separate division for marketing manual and local battery instruments until it was finally dissolved by A.E.
Since your receiver is Bakelite and appears to have the same "patina" as the rest of the phone, it is easy for someone looking at it to guess that it has the original receiver, and not a replacement. Without seeing the cap, it's difficult to tell which type receiver you have. Notice that the old receiver with the long magnet has a cap with a single large hole, and your receiver cap has several holes.
I understand if you want to restore it with original parts. But just to clarify: The No. 42 receiver may have been installed on a repair visit many years ago. In those days, the trouble man knew how to diagnose and repair the fault without having to change out the entire phone. So the No. 42 is certainly compatible with the Local Battery circuit of the phone, even if it is not the actual receiver that was originally shipped with the phone.
Quote from: 1930 on March 02, 2014, 08:09:18 PM
Wrong receiver, interesting, can someone show me what the original receiver would have looked like?
I guess there is a possibility than that the phone was still in service in the 40s.
Maybe I am misunderstanding. Is it being said that the entire deal I would hold to my ear is incorrect/not original or is it the parts within this deal....just for clarification.
Like I had mentioned in my first post a phone expert ( Jerry in Kansas if memory serves me ) said that the receiver was original so I am assuming you guys are referring to the innards parts/pieces.
Quote from: 1930 on March 01, 2014, 06:57:12 AM
Quote from: stub on February 28, 2014, 11:02:45 AM
Didn't Keystone have these made for them by Am. E ? stub
What is Keystone?
"This description provided by another colletor describes the relationship between Keystone and American Electric:
There were at least two Keystone telephone companies located in Pennsylvania between 1894 & 1945/46.
The earlier known as the Keystone Telephone Co (approx. 1894-1898) was located in Pittsburgh.
Additionally, there is evidence of the Keystone Electric Telephone Company (approx. 1901-1905) operating from the same address as the Keystone Telephone Co. Telephones and telephone parts produced by various manufacturers with Keystone attributes were utilized by Keystone from the Pittsburgh era.
Some related manufacturers most likely were Western Telephone Construction, Sun Elec Mfg Co., Manhattan Electric Supply, American Electric, Northwestern Telephone Equipment Co. and Burns.
Keystone Telephone Company of Philadelphia conducted business from approx. 1900-1945/46 and utilized telephones manufactured by American Electric with attributes specific to Keystone.
These attributes seemed to vary depending on the production year. There is speculation that all the Keystone companies were in some way related."
1930,
Here's the correct receiver cap. The earlier one I posted was some time after the buy out. stub
Thanks for the info guys, I will post some more pictures and respond to individual posts soon. I often work sun-up to sun-down and this was one of those days. No light for decent pictures. Thanks again for the info though
1930,
- http://theantiquephones.com/
( dead link 01-19-22 )
click on Single Boxes on the left side of screen and scroll down to WS2 0825 and 0846 and click on the pic of the phones . Same as yours except for 6 bar magneto. The diagram on the 2nd phone call it a SAMSON telephone. stub
1930 ,
Here's the complete lighting arrester on your phone. stub