Picked up a 1956 WE Bell black wall phone. Need help.

[Bill Cahill]

I'll post pics  with plea in repair section later, but, here is the description.
Case: Cracked. Tape marks all over.
Handset. Missing mike element, but, both screw on caps are frozen.
Metal dial set, missing number insert.
Coroded, and, very dirty. But, I think it's worth saving.
I didn't pay much for it. Brain fart. I just found out I paid alot for it. Here is the ebay link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=290282165055 ( dead link 03-14-21 )

Bill Cahill

[Steve]

The price was right!

Looks like it might be a good phone when your done. how hard is it to fix cracks?

[McHeath]

I think you got a pretty good deal.  The broken case may be an issue, but overall it looks pretty workable and is a nice early model.  And hey 8 bucks...

[Bill Cahill]

Thanks, guys. I was afraid I paid too much in the condition it's in. It is pretty rough.
The crack is pretty wide open.
Also, the inside of one side of the steel arm for the handset, the plating is so badly pitted that it scratches on the receiver side.
It's very severe.
Too bad. Rest of plating is mint.
Paint on dial looks decent.
Bill Cahill

[Steve]

Nothing wrong with a little character and patina.