AE Canada Type B Ship Telephone

[rbouch]

Hi Folks,

Ran into this phone while out and about for a pretty good price.

An Automatic Electric Canada Type B Ship Telephone.  Had seen the American version of these on ebay, etc., but had not seen a Canadian one.

Plaque on the side is labelled "Shipboard Dial Telephone Equipment, Telephone Type B, Part No. GL 646-AO, Contract No FE175583 SP (blank), Royal Canadian Navy, supplied by Automatic Electric (Canada) Ltd."

Interestingly, the dial is made in the USA, while most of the Canadian AE phones I have are marked as manufactured in Canada by Phillips.

I must admit I didn't expect the inside of this phone to be this pristine, given the "patina" of the outside.  All I had to do when I opened it up to get it working was to simply hook up a line cord.

Dials out, receives calls, nice clear audio and rings nice and loud.

Weighs 17.2 lbs.

Any further info or comments would be welcome.  I am torn between keeping this in its original condition pr "restoring" it past glories.

Thanks
Ralph

[countryman]

It's perfect inside and has a perfect patina on the outside. Preserve it as it is, maybe polish it a little.
The way the brass shows through the paint makes clear that this phone has seen a lot of appropriate use but no malpractice. Also the brass accords with the gongs.

[rbouch]

Meant to say restoring it TO past glories.  Never will get used to touchpad.

Thanks for the feedback Countryman, you kind of ratified what I was inclined to do anyway.

[Pourme]

~

I agree, I would give it a good cleaning. I usually polish the gongs, I wouldn't do that on this one. A coat of a good wax, done!

[Key2871]

Yup, again agreed, preserve it. Very cool old piece.