1936 Field Trial 302

[zaphod01]

Looks like someone just listed a 1936 field trial 302 on eBay.

I was first bid. I'll never be able to afford it but...

[Kenton K]

Too bad the dial has been switched.

This should be an auction contest.

Ken

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Link?

I wanna see my all-original competitor...

[Doug Rose]

a link is always helpful

[zaphod01]

VINTAGE WESTERN ELECTRIC ART DECO PHONE 302? BELL TELEPHONE

[Doug Rose]

thanks....this sure is a beauty.

Christian it gives you a real nice blueprint of how it was.

I wonder when WE decided to go to the vent under the grip to pick the phone up and why they decided to move away from it in such a short time frame? Nice pre-F1 handset.

Doug

[Dan/Panther]

I was surprised to see the D number molded into the handset.
D/P

[poplar1]

Paul F. shows this D-97464 set, with either an E1E handset or D-97730 handset.
http://www.paul-f.com/wep302.html#D97464b

So what's different about this D-97758 handset?

[unbeldi]

Paul F. shows this D-97464 set, with either an E1E handset or D-97730 handset.
http://www.paul-f.com/wep302.html#D97464b

So what's different about this D-97758 handset?

We will probably not find out unless the buyer is on this forum and we can squeeze some information out.

I do think pieces like this should be bought by organizations like TCI, especially since they seem to have plenty of money in cash, so that the facts can be recorded. The set can then be resold on the open market, as there is little chance of loosing money.  In fact with more widely publicized historical information and TCI "certification" the set would likely sell higher.   Many potential buyers may miss this "low key" eBay auction.

As to the handset issue:   It was the last piece to be finalized in the 300 set and despite the first production installations in Winter 36/37, the F1 handset was not available in production quantities until mid-year 37.  This is mention in several BLR articles.  The receiver performance apparently was the last to be tuned. The articles about performance of the new circuit indicate this.
However, field trials were performed with several F-type handsets, and apparently with E-types too.

[Partyline4]

Too bad the dial has been switched.

This should be an auction contest.

Ken

How do you know the dial has been switched?

[Partyline4]

What does the D in the handset mean?

[poplar1]

Too bad the dial has been switched.

This should be an auction contest.

Ken

How do you know the dial has been switched?

The W terminal on the dial is next to Y rather than next to the governor. So the dial is much newer than the rest of the phone.

[poplar1]

What does the D in the handset mean?

Drawing number. Used on pre-production models and also on apparatus that was produced in small quantities.

[unbeldi]

Too bad the dial has been switched.

This should be an auction contest.

Ken

How do you know the dial has been switched?

The W terminal on the dial is next to Y rather than next to the governor. So the dial is much newer than the rest of the phone.

The switch springs appear to be bifurcated and the screws are not brass anymore. Even my IV-39 5J still has brass screws.

But it may simply be that the switch and contact assembly was swapped later. Only the date on the dial housing itself will tell.  Clearly the wires have been removed from the dial, as the one of the spades in not properly seated against the screw.

[andre_janew]

The condenser seems to be completely different than what was used on the production models.  The dial may have been swapped out, but I can't tell because there is no closeup of the dial.  I have a feeling that some of the field trial sets may have used a dial that was soon to become the 5H.  It is possible they may have tested a new dial as well as a new handset.