Portable Switchboard?? I don't know!

[Scott]

I acquired this recently. It was labeled portable switchboard. I checked the archives here and at TCI and the internet and didn't find anything, anywhere. My question is, is it what they say it is or something else? I appreciate your comments.

Regards,
Scott K.

[HarrySmith]

I think something may be missing?

[RB]

That is a very nice nearly empty box.
with a relay, and a term block.
I doubt it was a switchboard, seems to shallow.'
But, who knows? specialized, to say the least.
maybe a test fixture?
had some paper slots, and a few small stuff boxes

[countryman]

That looks like a transport box for test equipment or laboratory instruments.

[19and41]

Don't underestimate how much switchboard that can fit into a small box.  This is a complete Army switchboard that used one phone used as the control pack.

[FABphones]

Have you tried contacting The Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Museum and sending them a photo, they may be able to help.

Whatever it is, one thing we can guess at fairly accurately, is that at least seven of them existed.

Let us know your findings.

[Scott]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Excellent suggestion FABphones, I had not thought of that. I will let everyone know what I find out. If anyone else has a thought please post it.

Regards,
Scott K.

[Jim Stettler]

The box is pretty and it is hard to find things marked Mountain States Telephone.
I had a couple of metal subset-type boxes with that style of relay. I think they were marked 1A1 . Which could be 1A1 relays for a 1A1 KSU.
The strap may be for batteries.
Just guesses on my part,
Jim

[Scott]

Thank you Jim. Still looking forward to meeting sometime.

Scott K.

[Scott]

Here is the info I received from the telephone museum,

I don't recognize it, but I think you are right to doubt that it was a
portable switchboard.   It looks like a very nice wooden case. 
Possibly it held a pair of telephones and a battery at some time, and
was used as a teaching tool to teach schools kids how to use the
telephone.

Any other guesses are welcome.

Scott K.