Poll
Question:
What year will the 302 be?
Option 1: 1937
votes: 0
Option 2: 1938
votes: 6
Option 3: 1939
votes: 4
Option 4: 1940
votes: 0
Option 5: 1941
votes: 0
Option 6: Other Years
votes: 0
I bought this Western Electric 302 from the Goodwill online auction site because it had the metal shell and the earlier base. I got caught up in the bidding (meaning overpaid). I wonder what year I will het?
Okay, I'll bite.
How much did you pay . . . ? if you care to disclose.
I'll say 1938.
It has the two-hump base, screwed-on feet, H1 stamping inside the housing (probably indicating late 1938), and a pronounced style line on the handset, above the groove (another later feature). It also has an early tightly curved fingerstop, probably meaning either a matching dial or earlier. Shortly after 1938, the fingerstops became less curved.
It was made from Fall 1938 to early (Feb/Mar) 1939, and refurbished with new cords in the 1950s.
Between 9-38 and 3-39:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=11422.msg125729#msg125729
There was a brief discussion of 302 bases a while back: http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3563.0 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3563.0).
Larry
Quote from: TelePlay on October 27, 2016, 05:33:13 PM
Okay, I'll bite.
How much did you pay . . . ? if you care to disclose.
I paid about $40 plus shipping. Okay price if it turns out to be date matching 1938, not so great if it's a mix of dates.
My experience with the draft lottery had nothing to do with the NBA.
Got the package yesterday and opened it today. It is a 1938. In fact everything is marked 10 38 or IV 38 except the dial and dial number plate which are 1940.
Quote from: Fabius on October 30, 2016, 07:58:32 PM
Got the package yesterday and opened it today. It is a 1938. In fact everything is marked 10 38 or IV 38 except the dial and dial number plate which are 1940.
Nice.
From the handset mounting cord fixtures to the user's E&M (ear and mouth) are potentially seven more dates. :-)
Since we know that the cords have been changed, it is quite possible that the handset might have been changed too, if that was done at the shops, rather than by a technician.
Is the handset handle solid or hollow with spade-tipped wires to the receiver ?
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on October 27, 2016, 05:34:11 PM
I'll say 1938.
It has the two-hump base, screwed-on feet, H1 stamping inside the housing (probably indicating late 1938), and a pronounced style line on the handset, above the groove (another later feature). It also has an early tightly curved fingerstop, probably meaning either a matching dial or earlier. Shortly after 1938, the fingerstops became less curved.
These are great quick-reference guides, but how can you tell that the feet are screwed on rather than riveted by looking at it from the bottom?
Quote from: unbeldi on October 30, 2016, 08:29:39 PM
Nice.
From the handset mounting cord fixtures to the user's E&M (ear and mouth) are potentially seven more dates. :-)
Since we know that the cords have been changed, it is quite possible that the handset might have been changed too, if that was done at the shops, rather than by an technician.
Is the handset handle solid or hollow with spade-tipped wires to the receiver ?
The transmitter and receiver capsules are 1938 as are both caps. The handset wires have spades and the handset appears solid.
Quote from: Brinybay on October 30, 2016, 08:38:49 PM
These are great quick-reference guides, but how can you tell that the feet are screwed on rather than riveted by looking at it from the bottom?
Here is a 2-37 302 with riveted feet:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-302-1937-Orignal-Paint-First-Year-Vents-4H-dial-E1-/201699635068
Quote from: Fabius on October 30, 2016, 09:06:06 PM
The transmitter and receiver capsules are 1938 as are both caps. The handset wires have spades and the handset appears solid.
Even better, most likely the cord got changed in the field.
Your handset is the earlier type with separate screw terminals for the handset cord. With this phone being so complete, I would be looking for an old brown cloth cord to restore the original look. These can usually be found for perhaps $15 to $20. It might be hard to find one from 1938, most often they are from the 1940s. Sometimes you can find early 40s cords, that still have the original twill weave.