1957 Gray Western Electric 500 Matching Dates

[LM Ericsson]

 I went to the antique store today and picked up this nice soft plastic gray 500 from December of 1957. I got this phone for cheap ($40.00), It has all matching dates. Here are the pictures

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Nice 500 you have there! I never knew WE made light grey so early, the earliest I've seen is 1958.

[LarryInMichigan]

What a great find!

Larry

[Dennis Markham]

That is a very  nice find!  The phone looks to be in excellent condition.  Light Gray is one of those colors that is usually found discolored from UV light.  This one looks great!  Nice dial card too.  Congratulations!

According to the TenProject web site, there was a UL3 exchange in Norfolk, VA.  Perhaps where the phone originated?

[HarrySmith]

Nice phone Great find at a great price! This proves they are still out there if you look hard enough! Find of the month contender for sure!

[unbeldi]

Nice 500 you have there! I never knew WE made light grey so early, the earliest I've seen is 1958.

The first year of production of light grey (-61) was 1957, same year that the other light colors were introduced (white, pink, beige, aqua blue), and the darker versions retired.

[Contempra]

very nice find

[WesternElectricBen]

Great find!

Link to his video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEEI5QInXUY

Ben

[JorgeAmely]

That's a very nice find. For some reason, light gray fades quickly. I suggest a little umbrella over it.  And the video is a very good way to document your findings.

[Dennis Markham]

Grayson, I enjoyed taking the "tour" of your new phone via your video.  I think this phone has been unmolested for many years.  Perhaps yours are the first fingers inside since it was put into service.  You pointed out the dial date, but also notice it is marked with color suffix -61 (Light Grey).  Also the black ringer wire is attached to terminal "G" as many were at that time.  The yellow conductor from the mounting cord is also on terminal "G".  So to make it ring you'll have to combine the yellow and green mounting cord wires inside the 283B plug...or move the black ringer wire to L1.  I always like to leave them wired like they were when I come upon phones wired in a similar fashion.

Great phone, nice video.  Enjoy cleaning it!

~Dennis

[Mr. Bones]

Very Nice light gray; I've never seen one so early. Enjoy!

[LM Ericsson]

     I finished restoring this phone and I think it came out great. The phone was pretty dirty, especially under the fingerwheel! Here are some photos, not the best but the best I could do. I will take some photos in the natural light soon.

[WesternElectricBen]

Looks good!

Ben

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Very beautiful phone, and a very well done restoration!

[unbeldi]

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