Barn Hoard of Phones! Ever wonder why your latest phone smells a little funny?

[19and41]

Thanks for sharing such fine pics!

[poplar1]

Here's first pics of the 2/51 501. I was really hoping for some 1950 parts inside and wasn't disappointed. Equalizer is dated NOV 16 1950. I assume it was updated to a 501A since there is a 426A tube installed. Really gets busy under the dial with both an equalizer and a tube in place!

Paid $75 and $12 shipping

501 model by definition was factory-equipped with tube.
"501A/B" was the updated code for 501. 501A=manual 501B=dial

[unbeldi]

Here's first pics of the 2/51 501. I was really hoping for some 1950 parts inside and wasn't disappointed. Equalizer is dated NOV 16 1950. I assume it was updated to a 501A since there is a 426A tube installed. Really gets busy under the dial with both an equalizer and a tube in place!

Paid $75 and $12 shipping

I am curious what you meant with your comment  "I assume it was updated to a 501A since there is a 426A tube installed."

Yours is a 501B.  The 501B was the first additional type alongside the 500B, that was manufactured starting in the fourth quarter of 1950 in  a quantity of ca. 20,000 units.

Yours was therefore made in the second quarter of 501B manufacture and probably is one of the first 40,000 sets ever made, assuming that they made more in the second quarter than the first.

Very nice find!

[zaphod01]

Thanks for the help identifying this for me. It's my first '51 with an equalizer and tube. I'll try to post pic's of the 3/51 500T tomorrow. It has the small-font, back-painted dial face. Nice unbroken straight cord.

[RotarDad]

Nice phones!  Imho the early 500/501 are much harder to find now than the 500T/501T.  My guess is that this is due to the "T" models being installed in remote locations, and more often surviving as "barn finds".  They also made "T" models well into '52, after the C/D version was introduced.  Other thoughts on this?

[zaphod01]

These are my 3rd and 4th 1951's. First two were 500T's. I was a little surprised to find a 'regular' bezel on the 2/51 501B and a small-font OPERATOR bezel on the 3/51 500T. I expected to find a replacement dial in the 501B but it is dated 2-51. The 501B also has an odd GF style handset with F1 elements.

I'm taking the 3/51 500T to work today for photos.

Still mining the hoard. Got a 1956 554 and a first-aid kit (complete) with accompanying manual dated 1927.

[zaphod01]

Here's pics of the 3/51 500T (also marked 500K).

Paid $75 and $12 shipping.

[unbeldi]

Here's pics of the 3/51 500T (also marked 500K).

Paid $75 and $12 shipping.

What are the dates on the cords?

It seems, the set must have seen a refurbishing shop in 1952 or later, because it was remarked as a 500K.  The dates on the cords might provide a clue as to when these redesignations occurred in 1952. I have seen statements of "mid-1952".

[RotarDad]

Unbeldi - I have a 3/52 501T, and I believe I've seen pics of 5/52 and 6/52 models that were still factory marked T.  This matches your mid '52 info.

[unbeldi]

Unbeldi - I have a 3/52 501T, and I believe I've seen pics of 5/52 and 6/52 models that were still factory marked T.  This matches your mid '52 info.

Thanks for this benchmark!

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Something I find interesting on the 500T is that each end of the dial gasket is held together with a staple instead of one end 'sleeved' into the other, like the SC 1400 and 1500 series sets.

[unbeldi]

Something I find interesting on the 500T is that each end of the dial gasket is held together with a staple instead of one end 'sleeved' into the other, like the SC 1400 and 1500 series sets.

Yes, this was indeed the way it was done.  Not sure whether they changed that in the 60s.

[RotarDad]

Unbeldi - Found the pic on the forum confirming the "T" still in use for new production in June, '52:

http://www.electronixandmore.com/adam/temp/fleaphones/we500t_bottom.jpg

Other dates visible on this phone are June (net and ringer), except the dial which is May.  This may be an early June build.

My memory isn't completely gone yet.....

[RotarDad]

One other comment on the 3/51 phone.  Like my 4/51 500T, this one has a clear dust cover on the switch hook contacts, instead of the usual black.  My 4/51 is 100% dates-matching, including cords, so I believe it was untouched after production.  Any other comments on the black versus clear covers? 

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Something I find interesting on the 500T is that each end of the dial gasket is held together with a staple instead of one end 'sleeved' into the other, like the SC 1400 and 1500 series sets.

Yes, this was indeed the way it was done.  Not sure whether they changed that in the 60s.

I hve several mid-fifties 500s with the dial gasket sleeved. In fact, I believe my late 1951 500s have sleeved gaskets too.