Early (1937) 302!!!

[WEBellSystemChristian]

I have finally won an early (most likely 1937) 302!!

While I was scouting EBay, I noticed that the ears on a 302 in an eBay listing looked shorter than usual. A close inspection revealed shorter ears, smaller plungers, a 1-bump-bottom, and riveted feet! It was in a lot of four phones at a $75 starting bid, and somehow only attracted one other bidder, who only drove the price up to $76, which is the price I won it at (plus $30 shipping)!!


Divided among all phones in the lot, I got each phone for $19 plus $7.50 shipping! A $26 '37 ain't bad!


www.ebay.com/itm/252188490841

[andre_janew]

My guess would be that it was made late in 1937.  Old enough to have riveted feet, yet new enough to have an F-1 handset.

[WEBellSystemChristian]

My guess would be that it was made late in 1937.  Old enough to have riveted feet, yet new enough to have an F-1 handset.

It's probable that the handset is a replacement. There were a few 1937 handsets with the groove, but the fact that handset cord is a replacement tells me the handset is too.

[WesternElectricBen]

Nice pickup.

If you need a replacement 1937 F1 handset I still have one available for sale.

Ben

[wds]

Nice find.  The paint on the 302 is really nice. 

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Nice find.  The paint on the 302 is really nice. 

Thanks; this actually appears to be the nicest metal 302 I have, the paint looks incredible!

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Judging by the thinner looking fingerstop, it looks like the dial just might be a #4. Which would be considered harder to find; a 1937 #5 or 1937 #4?

[Mr. Bones]

Congratulations, Christian!

Welcome to the '37 Club!

I spotted the early phone in that auction several days ago, but decided not to snipe. I'm delighted that it went to you.

Best regards!

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Congratulations, Christian!

Welcome to the '37 Club!

I spotted the early phone in that auction several days ago, but decided not to snipe. I'm delighted that it went to you.

Best regards!

Lucky Bones, I only spotted it yesterday!

[magicbrain]

That other bidder was me - I was really only interested in the early 302, that was why I only bid $75.00 (and Christmas spending depleting of funds)
I was curious though about the other manual 302 - it appears to have a plastic housing with no mouse holes?

[Jim Stettler]

That other bidder was me - I was really only interested in the early 302, that was why I only bid $75.00 (and Christmas spending depleting of funds)
I was curious though about the other manual 302 - it appears to have a plastic housing with no mouse holes?

There were some 302 field trial sets with just 1 mousehole @ the back.
Jim S.

[WEBellSystemChristian]

That other bidder was me - I was really only interested in the early 302, that was why I only bid $75.00 (and Christmas spending depleting of funds)
I was curious though about the other manual 302 - it appears to have a plastic housing with no mouse holes?

Yeah, it sure looks like it doesn't have a h/s cord mousehole; I'd guess something is covering it up, like it almost looks like there's a strip of something over that whole edge.

Jim; I have an early housing without a side mousehole attached loosely to a '39 chassis and E1 handset. It will be displayed alongside this '37.

Picture for posterity:

[WEBellSystemChristian]

At a second look, it almost looks like some electrical tape along the bottom edge forced the cord to come out of the bottom of the mousehole.

[andre_janew]

Could the tape be covering up some sort of damage to either the cord or the case?

[WEBellSystemChristian]

Could the tape be covering up some sort of damage to either the cord or the case?

That was my thought. I guess we'll have to wait for the lot to arrive...