Creepy Baby Phone

[AE40FAN]

Recently, I purchased a black 500 on Ebay for a BIN of 14.99 including shipping.  It was missing a handset and cord.  What attracted me to this phone was the base plate dated 5/52.  There was definitely something odd with the dial card being an old b&w photo of a baby.  Phone arrived about a week later packaged in a bubble wrap envelope! The housing ended up cracking (go figure).  I wasn't terribly upset as it was dated 1961.   I contacted the seller and he initiated a full refund and told me to keep the phone...score!  A few days later I noticed a black 501 dated 1/54 on ebay that nobody seemed interested in so I bid on it and won it for 29 bucks including shipping.  My plan was to pull the housing and handset to place on my 52 base/network/ringer.  However, the phone arrived in such great shape with dates ranging from 11-53 to 1-54.  How rare and valuable is a 501?  Do you think It's a good idea to use the housing and handset on my 52 or should I leave the 501 as is?  Help! 

P.S.  What exactly is the difference between a 501 and a 500?

[DavePEI]

Hi All:

If anyone ever comes across a 4/52 500 set, I would be interested in it, as it would be my birthday phone... Keep it in mind!

Dave

[AE40FAN]

Dave, funny the network block is dated 4/52.  An Odd thing about the network block is it isn't stamped with schematics just with 4-52 in yellow.

[DavePEI]

Dave, funny the network block is dated 4/52.  An Odd thing about the network block is it isn't stamped with schematics just with 4-52 in yellow.

I suppose its 4/52 date would be reasonable, meaning the network was made in April...

Dave

[AE40FAN]

Photos of the 4/52 network and 501 network.  Not sure what that is attached to the 501 network...

[paul-f]

What exactly is the difference between a 501 and a 500?

You can find brief descriptions here (remembering to compare the D variations):
 http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm#500D
 http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm#501

For more details you can look up the BSPs in the TCI Library.

It looks like your 501D has been converted to a 500D.  Long-time CRPF readers know how to tell at a glance.

[Dan/Panther]

Consensus seems to be, the Network, and base, dates the phone, unless of course it's been replaced.
D/P

[twocvbloke]

Isn't a creepy picture attached to something usually the beginning plot of a horror movie?

[DavePEI]

Photos of the 4/52 network and 501 network.  Not sure what that is attached to the 501 network...

Lucky you ..  It looks as though you have my Birthday phone!   Oddly, I do have an "almost" birthday May '52 NE dial-less Uniphone #1 [I was sleeping, eating, and filling my diapers on the day it was made, if I remember correctly], but was never able to find an April 52  500 (or 501) set.

I got it - that must be my baby picture!

Dave

[Greg G.]

What parts are dated 11/53?

[AE40FAN]

Briny, only the receiver element is dated 11/53.