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Who Amongst Us Has The Oldest 500?

Started by HobieSport, November 26, 2008, 09:53:35 PM

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What's your oldest mostly original 500?

I have a '49, but don't tell anyone.
1 (0.9%)
1950
12 (10.3%)
1951
20 (17.1%)
1952
25 (21.4%)
1953-1957
72 (61.5%)

Total Members Voted: 117

Bill Cahill

That really is a nice phone. Wish I had one like that.
When was the receiver made?
Bill Cahill

"My friends used to keep saying I had batts in my belfry. No. I'm just hearing bells....."

Jester

Bill,
The handset body & T1 transmitter are both dated 12/50.  I found no date stamp in the transmitter cap, but the receiver cap is from 8/51.  The U1 receiver element is dated 1/8/53.
Stephen

AET

By the way, I saw more of this "49" 500 recently, and will post the pics I got in the e-mail.  49-500 is written on the side of the network in sharpie.  Below that, the date is I beleive 1965.
- Tom

JorgeAmely

Jorge

HobieSport

Quote from: JorgeAmely
6-50, from Kansas.

Jorge is your 6-50 500 all or mostly all matching dates?  That's pretty much the original public issue 500 holy grail, isn't it?
-Matt

JorgeAmely

#50
Here is the scoop, but it is not all original to 1950.

Base - A/B 6-50 500
Network - 425A - Non anodized, with yellow markings 5-50
Equalizer - Feb. 22, 1950
Ringer - C2A - 5-50
Dial - 7D-3 3-56
Handset cord - 61
Wall cord - 54 (Installed by me)
Plug - Black on Black - 283B
Handset - Bakelite, dated 1962
Speaker - 1-11-61
Speaker Cap - Plastic 10-61
Microphone - 6-23-54
Mike cap - no date, plastic
Housing - soft plastic, dated 1961 (you can tell by the smell)

My guess is that it stopped by the shop at least in 1961. There are no refurb stamps on the bottom.

PS: It has black plungers and a metal finger wheel.
Jorge

McHeath

Got any pics?  This is the earliest I've yet seen for a 500, and you have one part with a Feb 1950 date which is really close to the mythical 1949. 


JorgeAmely

Here you go sir ...
Jorge

AET

WOW, February 1950!!!  All I can say is WOW!!!
- Tom

JorgeAmely

There was not enough space for this one, so here it goes ...
Jorge

Steve


I agree, WOW!

the differences between the earliest models and mass production really stand out.

nice looking phone, do you use it?
If you're a long way from home,
Can't sleep at night.
Grab your telephone,
Something just ain't right.

McHeath

Very impressive, an early 500 that survived almost entirely intact.  Did not even lose the equalizer during a refurb, which is surprising.  It's nice and clean as well, did you scrub it or did it come to your hands this way? 

The early build quality looks good from the pics as well, my 2003 Cortelco 500 has some significant quality flaws here and there. 

You win the prize of the oldest 500 known to actually exist.  (well to me anyway) 

HobieSport

Quote from: McHeath
You win the prize of the oldest 500 known to actually exist.  (well to me anyway)  

To me, too.  After four pages of this thread it looks like we have a winner, especially with the February 1950 equalizer.  Amazing. :)
-Matt

Tonyrotary

Wow so close to the magical '49. Probably the best we are gonna get. That is so cool. :)

JimH

Makes me wonder which local phone companies issued 500s soon after they were introduced.  It seems like most were still issuing 302s until the late 50s.  I know of one case in CT. where they were still installing 302s refurbished as late as 1961!  I've also heard the new 500 cost a lot more, so local companies  bought 302s (and 5302s) until they HAD to buy 500s.
Jim H.