Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Wooden Phones => Topic started by: RB on October 31, 2017, 10:01:18 AM

Title: Western Electric 315 phones
Post by: RB on October 31, 2017, 10:01:18 AM
Ok, I believe I have 2 WE wood boxes. One is a one piece, the other is a two piece.
I found a schematic for WE 315 phones, and it seems to be the same. SO...
I am going with that.
I need to know what handset went with the one piece. "it came with a kellogg".
That through me off a bit...
And what desk set went with the 2 piece. "it came with a Leich" that was also confusing".
I am beginning to see why some folks here get frothed up when I call something by the wrong name...
People want to help, but this stuff is sooo diverse, it is impossible to guess about much at all!!!
You need the correct info to proceed.
Here are copies of my own schematics for both boxes.
Please, someone correct me if this is wrong.
Title: Re: Western Electric 315 phones
Post by: RB on October 31, 2017, 10:07:46 AM
Here is pic of one piece. looks just like a Kellogg Master phone 3809, even the handset...
But is wired like a WE. ??? Man, this gets deep...
Title: Re: Western Electric 315 phones
Post by: HarrySmith on October 31, 2017, 10:52:32 AM
More pictures would be helpful in identiying them. Usually have the model number stamped in the wood somewhere. Are there any schematics inside the door?
Title: Re: Western Electric 315 phones
Post by: RB on October 31, 2017, 12:15:57 PM
Nope, no, and nope...story of my life.
Here are the pics i have now, will have more tomorrow.
No schematics, except the ones I drew, which are accurate. the schematic of the 315 I did find, matches mine.
and only one has a model stamped inside the door at the bottom...Type 315, can't read the letter behind it, but still matches my schematic.
the other, no markings at all... but is made the same as the stamped one. that is, the same wiring points, same locations etc... the two piece, is missing one screw term, on left side, due to it being in the desk set.
and i believe the ind coils are the same also, will verify.
Title: Re: Western Electric 315 phones
Post by: Doug Rose on October 31, 2017, 02:16:09 PM
Look on the back ....near the top of the box....Doug
Title: Re: Western Electric 315 phones
Post by: Babybearjs on October 31, 2017, 08:25:53 PM
I have one of these and basically just use it for an extension ringer.  mine is just the 315 subset. If I do use it as a phone, I'll put a 202 on it. it originally came with a 251 desk phone that I converted to a 302. love the old wood phones, but they weigh a ton!
Title: Re: Western Electric 315 phones
Post by: RB on November 01, 2017, 09:25:05 AM
Thank you Babybearjs. I do not know what a 202, or a 251 is, but now I have something to start with.
Doug, I found the stamp on the back of the one piece, but there are no markings on the two piece, except the terminal letters.
This is what I know...
1 piece box Type 315 H on door and upper back. has bigger bells.
patent # 22A July 17 1894 on mag plate.
patent applied for on ringer base.
Beefier ringer. floating door nut.
door bolt is recessed with plate.
top left term has no stamp.
O, G, R stamped on left side terminals.

2 piece box has no stamping besides Y, G, R on left side terminals.
smaller bells.
same patent info on ringer.
22A on mag plate.
door lock is recessed in cup.
Title: Re: Western Electric 315 phones
Post by: poplar1 on November 01, 2017, 09:50:17 AM
The darker one started out as a Western Electric 315H subset, but the hookswitch was added later. The hookswitch is not Western Electric.

The other box has Western Electric ringer and 22A generator, but the box itself is not Western Electric. Notice that it does not have finger joints like the other box, and that the "catch" (to hold the door shut) is different. There were several companies in the 1940s -- such as Suttle Equipment Co.--that advertised for phone companies to send in their old parts so that they could be refurbished with new wooden cases.

315H was originally used with desk stand (candlestick) phones.
Title: Re: Western Electric 315 phones
Post by: RB on November 01, 2017, 10:32:43 AM
Ahh! now I understand why I am havin so much trouble with these phones!
Thank you Poplar1!
The hook switch, looks just like the pic of the Kellogg phone I found, and the handset seems correct too, for a Kellogg. but not for my box. ok.
I can work with that. I just need a 4 wire handset.
So, maybe I have a reason now, to look for a candle stick to add to my collection. :)