Don't tell my wife, but I bought a 302 today...

[deedubya3800]

I've always admired the WE 354 - very modern and classic design for a 60+ year old phone.  I purchased one for cheap, and wasn't sure it was worth the $15 I paid for it.  Turned out pretty nice, with no cracks, chips, and only a few scuff marks.  Everything on the inside is dated 5-50, including the handset parts.  I have a dial on the way dated II 50 which I'll probably install.  I prefer the older phones, but I couldn't help but add this one to my 302 phone.   

That's exactly why I want one. I want a wall companion for my 302. Plus, I just love the look of them anyway.

And also, my wife knows about the 302 now. At least she saw it. I'm not sure if she even realizes it's something I didn't already have. All I do know is that she thinks they're ugly. She wants one of those "French" phones from the 1970s!

[Dennis Markham]

Imagine that....the thousand dollar 354 didn't get any bids.

[HarrySmith]

But the shipping was only $15.00

[deedubya3800]

You know this little "hobby" of yours is going to get totally out of control.  You start out with just wanting one 500 to finish off the display, or oh a 354 would be kinda cool.....

Well, I found my 500 today. It's a 1956 in really good shape, just dusty with tape residue. I haven't gotten it out yet, but based on what the seller tells me, I think the ringer is probably wired to ground. I find that a lot on these older phones, but it's no problem.

Now where's that 354?

[deedubya3800]

Update: The 500 I mentioned is now in this thread: http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3505.0
I also have a 352 or 354 on the way. But then I'm done for now. For real.

But back to this 302, I took the dial out this week so I could clean it up better and make sure everything inside is in good shape.

Here are a few pictures. The first is me remembering to photograph the wires so I could get them back just like they were. Then I couldn't resist photographing my 302 shell completely separated from the rest of the phone (aside from the dial gasket, which I later cleaned), which I had never seen before. Third is the dial plate, which is a full decade younger than the rest of the phone (no wonder it's in such good shape). Finally is the back of the dial, which I had not seen until then. It is a 5H* dated 2-48.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the paper shield that goes behind the dial plate was in really cruddy condition, being warped and damaged by dampness, so I made a new one. That was an adventure.