Just Found a Strange 302 Handset

[.....]

The only difference I see is the groove in the caps on the Bakelite one.

[Doug Rose]

here are both of my non grooved F1 handsets the top one is bakelite and dated 9-20-37....and the bottom one is the new 2 me tenite handset that I have been polishing... myself I cannot tell any difference

Could you show a picture of both labels, this is interesting....thanks....Doug

[randyleemunro]

Here Are  The Pictures of the labels

[Doug Rose]

My later one also has just made by Western Electric. It could be soft plastic, it could be hard plastic, it is not Bakelite....Doug

[Key2871]

I've seen hard plastic, because I buffed it up and it came out well. It didn't have the odor of tenite.

[Jim Stettler]

Early (coloured) F handsets were also plastic. I don't know why a plastic handset would need a groove - must have been a carryover from Bakelite moulding. I don't see many US coloured telephones but the early plastic F handsets seem to have a "seam" (not a groove) which is a mould seam not an actual handset seam. Later ones were pretty smooth.

I don't understand - most 302s are Tenite

Jack

I use the term tenite because some folks don't like the term "soft" plastic.
The 302 sets I am referring to are made from soft plastic like early 500's. Most plastic 302's that I have handled are a harder plastic.
The colors on these soft 302's and soft princess phones are a different shade than the typical color sets.
Jim
Regarding grooves on Bakelite F handsets, The purpose of the groove was to hide the molding seam. This was faster and cheaper than buffing the mold marks out.
I  read this in a bell publication. I think it was a Bell Labs publication.

[Key2871]

Yes I too heard about the groove, and why it was there.
Makes sense it saves time and money.

[Jack Ryan]

I use the term tenite because some folks don't like the term "soft" plastic.
The 302 sets I am referring to are made from soft plastic like early 500's. Most plastic 302's that I have handled are a harder plastic.
The colors on these soft 302's and soft princess phones are a different shade than the typical color sets.
Jim

Well, now I'm really confused. As far as I knew, all plastic 302s were Tenite - perhaps a mix of Tenite I and Tenite II but Tenite none-the less.

Early 500s were also Tenite - later ones ABS.

Again, I don't see that many US telephones but I haven't seen any references to a plastic 302 that wasn't Tenite.

Is this not the case?

Regarding grooves on Bakelite F handsets, The purpose of the groove was to hide the molding seam. This was faster and cheaper than buffing the mold marks out. I  read this in a bell publication. I think it was a Bell Labs publication.

I'm aware of this but it relates to Bakelite and other thermoset plastics. Very few thermoplastic parts around the world have a groove - they are smooth.

I gather that some Tenite handsets had a groove - I was asking why.

Jack

[Doug Rose]

Late color 302s were indeed made with soft plastic and matching painted F1 Handsets.

I have had a Green, Ivory and Red. Rumors of a Blue and an Old Rose.

Of the three I have had, the green and ivory matched the original colors, only the Red was different, the color of a 500 set -53. Soft plastic body and painted matching F1.  Not in the BSPs, but they were certainly made....Doug

[.....]

Late color 302s were indeed made with soft plastic and matching painted F1 Handsets.

I have had a Green, Ivory and Red. Rumors of a Blue and an Old Rose.

Of the three I have had, the green and ivory matched the original colors, only the Red was different, the color of a 500 set -53. Soft plastic body and painted matching F1.  Not in the BSPs, but they were certainly made....Doug

No rumor of the Rose 302, it exists! I own one.