1959 Princess

[poplar1]

Notice the rubber mat on the bottom of this Princess; it is missing the hole present in later ones:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221248540770

[WesternElectricBen]

Looks like it has the wrong casing...

[poplar1]

Looks like it has the wrong casing...

701B (no ringer inside) has this housing, with the 2 mouse holes for the cords. Notice also that the line cord exits on the left side of the phone instead of the right.

[poplar1]

Here's a Feb. 1960 701B with the hole. It's to the right of the logo.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390623190655

[WesternElectricBen]

Isn't that the wrong 4 prong?

[LarryInMichigan]

Now I had to go look at my one and only Princess.  The pad on the bottom of mine was obviously replaced by someone.

Larry

[poplar1]

Yours looks like a 702B mat. According to paul-f.com, yours is the version introduced for the 702B in 1963. Your 701B has a rebuild date of 12/64, so it's possible it was changed then. It looks like it doesn't fit because some of the holes are in the wrong place.

[LarryInMichigan]

The mat obviously doesn't look right, but the phone was $3 at a yard sale, so I couldn't refuse.

Larry

[paul-f]

Notice the rubber mat on the bottom of this Princess; it is missing the hole present in later ones.

Great observation.  Also note that the pad goes completely around the lamp socket - unlike later pads.

Looking closer at photos on my hard drive, I found a photo of a similar pad with the hole.

Once I get better photos and a few more sightings to establish the date range, I'll add them to the site:

   http://www.paul-f.com/wePrincess.html#Pads

All help is welcome!

[Doug Rose]

This is good stuff. I never realized the subtle differences.....thanks to all...Doug

[paul-f]

Here's a Feb. 1960 701B with the hole. It's to the right of the logo.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390623190655

This one appears to have a second pad applied over the original.  You can see the cross-hatched pattern of the one underneath showing through.

Therefore, both have the hole.

[poplar1]

Oops, I picked a poor example---unless it is in the process of morphing.

[poplar1]

Here's another 1960

[paul-f]

From the residue left behind, it appears this one from 1/60 apparently had the earlier pad replaced.

I've updated the site to match our current understanding of the styles and dates.  Further updates are welcome.

  http://www.paul-f.com/wePrincess.html#Pads

[poplar1]

It would be interesting to see what the Bell System Repair Specs (X-Specs) had to say about refurbishing these. So far, none have turned up. These BSRS were used in the WE shop, not by the outside techs.